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The #1 Healthiest Fish Order at 10 Major Restaurant Chains

Increase your omega-3 intake with these dietitian-approved fish orders the next time you're dining out.
FACT CHECKED BY Olivia Tarantino

If you don't love cooking fish at home but want to take advantage of the many health benefits they offer, eating out can help. While eating at restaurants is often a great way to eat way more calories, fat, and sodium than you normally would, there are plenty of healthy fish options at popular chain restaurants around the country.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommend adults eat 8-12 ounces, or 2-3 servings, of fish each week to take advantage of the numerous nutrients they contain, like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, iron, zinc, choline, and more. We spoke with dietitians about their favorite fish dishes when eating out so you can easily choose a healthy seafood entree.

BJ's Brewhouse's Enlightened Seared Ahi Salad

BJ's Brewhouse's Enlightened Seared Ahi Salad
BJ's Brewhouse
Per serving: 560 calories, 30 g fat ( 4 g saturated fat), 1,316 mg sodium, 42g carbs (8g fiber, 25g sugar), 30g protein

"Try the Enlightened Seared Ahi Salad at BJ's Brewhouse for a fresh meal of high-quality ahi tuna, leafy greens, bell peppers, tomatoes, avocado, and pickled cucumbers with an impressive 30 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber to keep you full and satiated," says Sheri Berger, RDN, CDCES a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant for Health Insiders. It's loaded with flavor and has only 57% of the DV for sodium and 20% DV for saturated fat.

RELATED: 10 Seafood Chains That Serve the Highest Quality Fish

Chili's Ancho Salmon

Chili's Ancho Salmon
Chili's
Per serving: 630 calories, 32 g fat ( 6 g saturated fat), 1,810 mg sodium, 41 g carbs (5g fiber, 3g sugar), 48 g protein

"The Ancho Salmon at Chili's is an excellent lean, high-protein menu item," says Mandy Tyler, M.Ed., RD, CSSD, LD. The salmon is served with Mexican rice and steamed broccoli for a complete and filling meal, with 48 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, and plenty of omega-3 fatty acids from the salmon.

Bonefish Grill's Atlantic Salmon

bonefish grill salmon
Bonefish Grill
Per dinner serving: 410 calories, 24 g fat ( 5 g saturated fat), 220 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 48 g protein

"Bonefish Grills Atlantic Salmon is prepared grilled, which can be helpful for those trying to reduce their sodium and saturated fat intake," says Patricia Kolesa MS, RDN, owner of Dietitian Dish LLC. "Salmon is a great source of vitamin D, omega 3s, and a lean source of protein," Kolesa adds. This salmon has 48 grams of protein and pairs well with seasonal rice and vegetables for a well-balanced meal.

Ruby Tuesday's Blackened Tilapia

Ruby Tuesday's Blackened Tilapia
Ruby Tuesday's
Per serving: 410 calories, 10g fat ( 3.5g saturated fat), 1,680 mg sodium, 38 g carbs (2g fiber, 2g sugar), 38g protein

Blacked tilapia with rice pilaf and grilled zucchini at Ruby Tuesday is a great choice for anyone looking for a meal with maximum flavor that's easy on calories and fat. The entire meal has just 410 calories but is high in protein with 38 grams, adding plenty of satisfaction. Tilapia is also an excellent source of niacin, vitamin D, and selenium.

Nordstrom Marketplace Cafe's Wild Salmon Nicoise

Nordstrom Marketplace Cafe's Wild Salmon Nicoise
Marketplace Cafe at Nordstrom
Per serving: 630 calories

Nordstrom Marketplace Café's Wild Salmon Nicoise is a healthful and filling choice when you're out shopping and need to refuel. "Nordstrom exclusively serves wild sockeye salmon from Alaska, which means it's guaranteed to be sustainably caught, and the protein and healthy fats of the salmon combined with egg, potatoes, green beans, heirloom tomatoes, and more leave me feeling satiated without being uncomfortably full," says Roxana Ehsani MS, RD, CSSD, LDN Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Board Certified Sports Dietitian in Miami, Florida and Alaska Seafood Partner. Just three ounces of sockeye salmon has 95% of the daily value for vitamin D, 254 milligrams of EPA, and 476 milligrams of DHA, all nutrients that are difficult to find in many other foods.

RELATED: 7 Science-Backed Benefits of Eating Salmon

Yard House's Seared Sesame-Crusted Ahi Tuna

Yard House's Seared Sesame-Crusted Ahi Tuna
Courtesy of Yard House
Per serving: 670 calories

"The seared sesame-crusted Ahi tuna at Yard House is a healthy seafood option when dining out," says Megan Huff, RD, LD, cardiac ICU dietitian. "Served with jasmine rice and baby broccoli, it's a great, balanced meal lower in sodium than many of the main entrees," Huff adds.

Red Lobster's Grilled Rainbow Trout

red lobster rainbow trout
Red Lobster
Per serving: 490 calories, 25 g fat (4.5 g saturated fat), 170 mg sodium, <1 g carbs (0g fiber, 0 g sugar), 67 g protein

Grilled rainbow trout is a healthy alternative to the fried fish options at Red Lobster. The trout has just 170 milligrams of sodium, or 7% DV, and a massive 67 grams of protein. This main course is served with lemon wedges and a choice of sides. Rainbow trout isn't as commonly found in restaurants as fish like cod or salmon, but it's an excellent source of vitamin D, niacin, and vitamin B12 that shouldn't be overlooked!

RELATED: I Tried 6 Frozen Fish Sticks & One Was Perfectly Buttery & Tender

Olive Garden's Herb-Grilled Salmon

Herb Grilled Salmon Olive Garden
Olive Garden
Per serving with broccoli: 610 calories, 45 g fat (11 g saturated fat), 1,360 mg sodium, 9 g carbs (4 g fiber, 3 g sugar), 45 g protein

Olive Garden's Herb-Grilled Salmon comes topped with garlic herb butter and parmesan garlic broccoli for a filling and delicious low-carb dinner. With 45 grams of protein and 45 grams of fat (many of which come from heart-healthy unsaturated fatty acids), you'll feel full and satisfied after this dinner.

Longhorn Steakhouse Red Rock Grilled Shrimp

Redrock shrimp Longhorn Steakhouse
Longhorn Steakhouse
Per 8 pieces with butter sauce, broccoli, and sweet potato: 750 calories, 34 g fat, 1,335 mg sodium

An 8-piece Red Rock grilled shrimp with butter sauce, broccoli, and a baked sweet potato has just 750 calories and is a completely balanced meal with quality carbohydrates, protein, and non-starchy vegetables. By swapping the seasoned rice for sweet potato, you save over 1,000 milligrams of sodium!

RELATED: Can Eating Sweet Potatoes Help You Lose Weight?

Bubba Gump's Bourbon St. Mahi Mahi & Shrimp

Bubba Gump's Bourbon St. Mahi Mahi & Shrimp
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co./Facebook
Per serving: 750 calories

The Bourbon St. Mahi Mahi and Shrimp at Bubba Gump's features charbroiled mahi mahi covered in Cajun seasoning, served with grilled shrimp and Bourbon sauce, tomatoes, green onions, and mashed potatoes. This full and flavorful meal is only 750 calories and is a lower-mercury fish, safe for women of childbearing age and children to eat up to two 6-ounce servings per month.

Kelsey Kunik, RDN
Kelsey Kunik is a registered dietitian, freelance writer, nutrition consultant, and sustainable food blogger. Read more about Kelsey
Sources referenced in this article
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