Sticking to Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet may be easier at a chain like Ruby Tuesday than at other typical chain restaurants. There are less salad options, but more main dish choices such as grilled chicken, seafood, or sirloin steak. Here are the options we chose, and as always, you should go easy on any veggies that are sautéed, or cheeses and cheese sauces that are high in fat (ask for them on the side):

Appetizers

There are no good appetizer options on any phase of the South Beach Diet at Ruby Tuesday, because everything is fried, breaded, or served with carb-laden chips. So just have a salad or acceptable soup option.

Soups and Salads

Fresh Garden Bar-You can create your own salad, which means you can avoid the bad things and stick to SBD Phase 1-friendly choices such as lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, olives, cheese, and low carb dressings.

Skinny Chicken Salad-Grilled chicken with tomatoes, cheese and light ranch dressing on the side. This is part of Ruby Tuesday's "Smart Eating Choices."

White Bean Chicken Chili-Pulled chicken with navy beans and savory spices. Since this is also part of the "Smart Eating Choices," we're assuming that there is no flour used to thicken the chili, and if that's the case, it is a Phase 1 champ.

Entrees

Creole Catch-Spicy broiled tilapia with steamed broccoli. It also comes with brown rice pilaf, which is great if you're on Phase 2, but not Phase 1. So order a side salad or another acceptable vegetable in place of the rice.

Smart Eating Grilled Chicken-Part of the "Smart Eating Choices," it's simply grilled chicken that is seasoned with peppercorns.

New Orleans Seafood--This is the Creole Catch, but also with sautéed shrimp in a Parmesan cream sauce. Ask for the cheese sauce on the side and also ask for something in place of the brown rice.

Petite Sirloin-A 7oz. top sirloin that is served with steamed broccoli and a baked potato. Just be sure to ask for something in place of the potato.

Peppercorn Mushroom Sirloin-A 9oz. peppercorn seasoned sirloin steak that is topped with Portobello mushrooms and a Parmesan cream sauce. This is a bit too much meat even on Phase 1, so you should cut the meat in half and take half home. Also ask for the cheese sauce on the side and order something like steamed broccoli instead of the baked potato it comes with.

Chicken Oscar-A 10 oz. Grilled chicken breast is topped with jumbo lump crabmeat, asparagus tips and a lemon butter sauce. Ask for the butter sauce on the side. All of the chicken dishes are served with steamed broccoli and cheddar mashed potatoes, so just order something in place of the potatoes. Also, 10 oz. is a lot of chicken, so you should cut it in half and take half home, or just don't eat all of it at once.

Chicken Fresco-This is a great Phase 1 option. Grilled chicken breast with sliced tomato, balsamic vinaigrette, lemon butter sauce, and fresh basil. Ask for the dressing and butter sauce on the side if possible.

Chicken Portobello-Grilled chicken breast with sautéed Portobello mushrooms, artichokes, and a Parmesan cream sauce. Ask for the sauce on the side and be sure to use it sparingly.

Side Dishes

Acceptable sides at Ruby Tuesday are:

Fresh Tomato & Mozzarella Salad (perfect for Phase 1)

Tossed Caesar Salad (hold the croutons and ask for the dressing on the side)

Premium Baby Green Beans

Sautéed Portobello Mushroom Slices

Fresh Steamed Broccoli

Creamy Mashed Cauliflower (part of the "Smart Eating Choices")

Beverages

Acceptable Phase 1 beverages are water, Diet Coke, unsweetened iced tea, coffee, tea, or sparking water

Dessert

Until a restaurant serves ricotta crème or sugar free gelatin, your best bet is to have some coffee or tea, and enjoy your dessert when you get home.