The New Slim Pickings

By Daren Fonda

Americans want to slim down--or at least that's what they say until they get a craving for a cheeseburger and trundle off to the drive-through. So catering to diners' guilt might seem like a dumb move. But several restaurant chains are now aiming at the wannabe-svelte set by offering more nutritional information and leaner cuisines. Later this year Applebee's plans to launch items developed jointly with Weight Watchers, and other chains are jockeying for the wallets of calorie counters too. --By Daren Fonda

Taco Bell

FARE: Recently launched a Fresco-Style menu with 15 items that each contain fewer than 10 g of fat

THE SKINNY: Will a cheeseless taco satisfy when the 7-Layer Burrito beckons?

Wendy's

FARE: The first major burger chain to offer premium salads, it will put nutritional info on tray liners and takeout bags

THE SKINNY: A loaded Chicken BLT salad has 660 calories--90 more than a Big Bacon Classic

Outback Steakhouse

FARE: Now offering smaller steaks

THE SKINNY: Do the skimpier red-meat portions have diners consuming fewer calories? Not quite. There's evidence that they're simply eating more appetizers and desserts

Don Pablo's

FARE: Low-carb fajitas and margaritas

THE SKINNY: The chain will soon offer fajitas wrapped in lettuce and margaritas with artificial sweetener and fruit juice instead of fructose. Drink a few, and you'll forget all about the calories in your meal