What to Order at Applebee's with Gestational Diabetes

Applebee's: Navigating the Neighborhood Grill with GD

Applebee's is the neighborhood gathering spot — a place for birthdays, family dinners, and the kind of casual dining that's hard to avoid. With gestational diabetes, you might look at a menu full of appetizers, loaded burgers, and desserts and feel overwhelmed.

But underneath all that, Applebee's has genuinely good grilled proteins and solid salad options. The trick is avoiding the automatic appetizer reflex and the fried item section. Here's your strategy.

Quick-Reference: Best Applebee's Orders for GD

Menu Item	Approx. Carbs	Approx. Protein	Why It Works
Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken	~5g	~44g	Very low carb, high protein, flavorful preparation
Classic Sirloin (8oz) with broccoli	~6g	~35g	Excellent iron and protein, low carb with broccoli side
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad (no croutons)	~12g	~54g	Outstanding protein, very low carb salad
Chicken Tortilla Soup (cup)	~20g	~14g	Warm, filling, protein from chicken, fiber from beans
Pepper-Crusted Sirloin & Whole Grains (modified)	~20g	~38g	Good balance when asked for extra veggies
Burger patty (no bun) + side salad	~8g	~30g	Classic bunless burger approach
Grilled Salmon	~4g	~40g	Omega-3 rich, very low carb, excellent for pregnancy

Best Entrees at Applebee's for GD

Grilled Chicken — Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken

At approximately 5g carbs and 44g protein, the Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken is the GD champion at Applebee's. The cedar plank preparation gives it a smoky depth, the lemon adds brightness, and there's no sugary sauce. Pair it with steamed broccoli and you have one of the best GD meals in casual dining.

Sirloin Steak

The Classic Sirloin is another excellent GD choice. At about 6g carbs and 35g protein (for an 8oz), it's filling, iron-rich, and pairs naturally with low-carb sides. Always ask to substitute broccoli, seasonal vegetables, or a side salad for the mashed potatoes that typically come with it. This one substitution saves 30+ grams of carbs.

Grilled Salmon

When available at your local Applebee's, grilled salmon is approximately 4g carbs and 40g protein. The omega-3 fatty acids are excellent for pregnancy. Order with fresh broccoli or seasonal vegetables.

Salads: The Applebee's GD Way

Applebee's salads have a wide range — some are genuinely GD-friendly, others are hidden carb bombs. Here's the breakdown:

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad (no croutons)

This is your best GD salad option. With no croutons and grilled (not crispy) chicken: approximately 12g carbs and 54g protein. The Caesar dressing is low-carb but high-fat — use it on the side and drizzle lightly. This is one of the highest-protein salads in casual dining.

Grilled Chicken Salad

About 18–25g carbs (depending on modifications) and 40g+ protein. Ask for no croutons, dressing on the side, and grilled (not crispy) chicken. A solid GD choice.

Oriental Grilled Chicken Salad — AVOID or Heavily Modify

The standard Oriental Grilled Chicken Salad has approximately 88g carbs — almost all from the crispy noodles, mandarin oranges, and sweet oriental dressing. If you love this salad, ask for: no crispy noodles, no mandarin oranges, Oriental dressing on the side (use very sparingly). This can bring it down significantly, but it's a high-maintenance modification.

Southwest Steak Salad (modified)

The steak is great; the tortilla strips and corn add carbs. Ask for no tortilla strips, corn removed, and dressing on the side for a more GD-appropriate version (~20g carbs, ~40g protein).

Soups at Applebee's

Applebee's Chicken Tortilla Soup is their most popular soup. A cup has about 20g carbs and 14g protein — fiber from beans and corn help blunt the carb impact. It's a reasonable choice as a side to a protein entree, though avoid the tortilla strips on top.

French Onion Soup has about 30g carbs from the crouton and bread on top — if you love French Onion, ask for it without the crouton topping.

The Side Swap Strategy

Applebee's typically serves entrees with mashed potatoes and your choice of a second side. Here's how to optimize:

• Always substitute broccoli for mashed potatoes — saves 30g carbs
• Choose side salad over coleslaw if trying to minimize carbs
• Request extra vegetables — most locations will add extra steamed vegetables for a small charge or none at all
• Avoid fries as a side choice — substitute with side salad (no croutons) or seasonal vegetables

Items to Avoid at Applebee's with GD

• Neighborhood Nachos — 100g+ carbs, GD danger territory
• Mozzarella Sticks — breaded and fried, 35g+ carbs
• Spinach & Artichoke Dip with bread — the dip itself is okay, the bread adds 40+ carbs
• Double Crunch Bone-In Wings (breaded) — high carb breading
• Pasta dishes — 80–100g carbs per entree
• Triple Chocolate Meltdown or other desserts — 60–80g carbs each
• Loaded burgers with full bun and fries — swap bun for lettuce and fries for broccoli

Sample GD-Friendly Meals at Applebee's

Option 1: The Grilled Chicken Plate

Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken + steamed broccoli + side salad (no croutons, dressing aside). Total: ~19g carbs, ~52g protein.

Option 2: The Steak Dinner

Classic Sirloin + steamed broccoli (sub for mashed potatoes) + garden salad. Total: ~22g carbs, ~43g protein.

Option 3: The Salad Protein Bowl

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad (no croutons) + cup of Chicken Tortilla Soup (no chips). Total: ~32g carbs, ~68g protein.

More Restaurant Guides for Gestational Diabetes

• Complete Restaurant Dining Guide for Gestational Diabetes
• What to Order at Chili's with Gestational Diabetes
• What to Order at Red Lobster with Gestational Diabetes
• Top 10 Bedtime Snacks for Gestational Diabetes

This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or registered dietitian for personalized guidance.