In search of healthy restaurant food?

I have a love-hate relationship with chain restaurants. They're reliable, dependable and have variety to please a large group of friends and picky relatives. Plus, they serve those really bad-for-you-but-look-oh-so-delicious desserts! On the downside, there are the soft lights and out of whack portions that set the mood that is sure to trigger overeating.

Fortunately, as a member of the AOL Body team, I'm always on the look out for ways to make the healthiest choice (without giving up on my guilty-pleasure indulgences). So, when I came across this healthy restaurant finder I couldn't keep it secret for long. It allows you to search for restaurant choices by zip code and price range and gives results of restaurants that meet the following health criteria:

1. Entrées (or full meals) must include at least one of the following:

• fruits and/or vegetables
• lean protein, i.e., skinless white meat poultry, fish/seafood (including salmon), tofu, etc., with no more than two red meat dishes per restaurant
• 100% whole grains

2. Menu items must meet the following three criteria:

• Entrées (or full meals):
• 750 calories or less
• 25 grams of fat or less
• 8 grams of saturated fat or less
• Appetizers, side dishes and desserts:
• 250 calories or less
• 8 grams of fat or less
• 3 grams of saturated fat or less

If a menu item exceeds only one of these criteria (fat, saturated fat, or calorie) by a small margin (i.e., 10%), that item may be included on the website.

Whenever possible, menu items that are lower in sodium and cholesterol are featured.

3. Deep fried items (i.e., egg rolls, chicken fingers, tostada shells, etc.) are excluded from the website, except for very small amounts of garnishes, such as wonton strips.

It's not perfect. You won't find the healthiest restaurants available in your area, but instead, the healthiest menu choices at popular chain restaurants like Subway, Au Bon Pain, and Pizza Hut. Still, it's a good backup plan when eating out with friends or family members who aren't concerned about making healthy eating choices.

Do you have any healthy meal suggestions for your favorite restaurants?