Calories in Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake

Having Your “Cheesecake” and Eating it Too

He sits down with friends and feels complete despair. His diet denies him once again of enjoying a meal as well as a dessert with friends. No fat, low calorie, low carb and… tasteless is the best way he knows how to describe it. Does this sound familiar? The truth is that Cheesecake Factory’s desserts do have a dense caloric and fat value. Though the low carb cheesecake is fairly low by comparison in the ‘carbs department,’ it still maintains a high calorie count and amount of fat. (Low carb does not necessitate low fat). Yet, do not despair! The following facts in regards to a handful of desserts that this illustrious restaurant boasts does not negate one’s ability to enjoy dessert. The following nutritional information of fat and calories in Cheesecake Factory’s cheesecake and desserts may seem overwhelming and impossible to fit into any diet or meal plan, but there will be helpful tips on being able to have cheesecake, eat it and enjoy it without feeling guilty.

The Cheesecake Factory began from a woman’s cheesecake recipe in the early 1940’s. Evelyn began selling her recipes and ultimately it became a successful restaurant operation. Today, there are Cheesecake Factories around the nation; and though they have entrees, appetizers, salads, signature drinks and more, they are known for what they make best: cheesecakes. Regardless of how a cheesecake is made, the recipe will naturally be dense in caloric value and grams of carbohydrates. This does not make it unhealthy or non-diet-friendly, but it does require one to be incredibly conscious of how much he eats when dining at this establishment. Though it offers low carb selections, the closest thing that is low-calorie or low fat is the Goblet of Strawberries. Instead of paying an incredible amount for a cup with strawberries in it, a person on a diet can be aware of nutritional information of the various desserts as well as ways to enjoy what this restaurant is best at: cheesecake.

Nutritional Information on Cheesecake Factory’s Dessert

1Tiramisu

This delicious, classic-Italian dessert contains layers of espresso-soaked lady fingers with mascarpone cheese. It’s light and fluffy, and comes in at one of the less dense desserts. It contains 460 calories, 33 grams of fat, 37 carbs, and 7 grams of protein. Only looking at the numbers can bring despair if this is one of the lower desserts. But numbers do not dictate a food as good or bad; it only serves to provide information and not judgment.

Low Carb Cheesecake

This cheesecake became popular around the uprising of the Atkins diet. The low carb craze pushed the Cheesecake Factory owners to bring something that had less carbs than its other desserts. Knowing it is impossible to make a ’no-carb’ cheesecake, they have created a dish that does significantly reduce the carbs. In comparison to the other desserts, it only has 39 grams of carbs instead of 50-plus grams of carbs. Yet, low-carb does not mean low cal or low fat. In fact, its fat content is still 57 grams like most of the other ’normal’ cheesecakes. Its calorie content is lower, but it is still in the same range as other cheesecakes as it ranks in at 610 calories and 16 grams of protein.

Boston Cream Pie Cheesecake

Boston cream pie lovers are not denied a dessert at the Cheesecake Factory. Boston cream pie is a rare find in chain restaurants, but the Cheesecake Factory manages to bring this classic dessert with its own “cheesecake-y” spin. It has 650 calories, 43 grams of fat, 59 grams of carbs and 11 grams of protein. Though it does not carry as much umph in the protein arena as other cheesecakes, it does manage to have a lower fat content. Yet, this dessert does not lose any flavor or deliciousness.

Adam’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple Cheesecake

Despite its long name, this dessert is not the most dense dessert on the menu. It has 930 calories, 59 grams of fat, 93 grams of carbs and 17 grams of protein. Though the calories are higher than the low carb cheesecake, it has nearly the same amount of fat content as the low carb cheesecake.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Who doesn’t like to eat raw cookie dough? The whole point of baking cookies is to eat the extra cookie dough left in the bowl. This particular dessert combines the love of cookie dough (without a mother’s reprimanding) and cheesecake. It contains 1090 calories, 72 grams of fat, 102 grams of carbs and 15 grams of protein. In comparison with other desserts, this cheesecake provides a more dense amount of calories, fat and carbs without the balance of a higher protein count. This dessert is a bit more difficult to fit into a meal plan or a diet, but it is not impossible to add.

Two other desserts that deserve to be mentioned are the Chocolate Truffle Cake and the Carrot Cake. These two hold the top spots for the highest calorie and carb content. They are 1500 calories or more and have triple digit carb counts. Despite the high numbers in the world of calories and carbs, its fat content is in the league of most of the cheesecakes (50-60 grams of fat).

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1. Though the restaurant does not give specific nutritional information, this information is compiled from many websites that have the calorie counts in conjunction with assistance from a local Raleigh dietitian.

To Eat or Not to Eat: That is the Question

With all this knowledge, one begins to wonder if it is possible to eat and enjoy any dessert from the Cheesecake Factory (besides the Goblet of Strawberries). Truth be told, it takes some planning and moderation around enjoying dessert, but one can eat dessert at the Cheesecake Factory without blowing an entire diet or meal plan. Below are some helpful ideas.

1. Cut the dessert in half. Take half of it home and enjoy the other half. Once there is a visible, half-sized portion, the need to eat the whole thing is reduced. The portion in front of the person is no longer a complete meal, but a snack.

2. Going to the Cheesecake Factory on a whim, if one is on a diet, is probably not the best of ideas. One can easily eat normal meals and snacks throughout the day while keeping in mind of the non-routine visit to the restaurant. Starving one’s self before going out to eat will only cause that person to have a valid, over-hungry mindset that can lead to gorging the body.

3. Eat the dessert slowly and mindfully. Savor each bite. Desserts are rich in flavor and texture, so spend time being aware of the dessert. Don’t just chew and swallow. Allow the tongue to taste each bite and feel every texture. Not only does this increase the enjoyment and appreciation of the dessert, it also allows for the person to be mindful of hunger cues.

4. Remember that some days the body gets a little more and some days it gets a little less. The body does not require for one to eat a designated amount of calories every day that matches the exact number. Some days the body requires more. Other days it receives more that it may require. The key lies in moderation and not going over or underboard.2

5. If exercise is part of one’s plan, look to add 10 extra minutes of exercise for 2 or 3 days.

6. Don’t only focus on the calories in Cheesecake Factory’s cheesecake. Calories are important, but focusing on only numbers is never effective for a diet. The minute a person says, “I can’t have that cheesecake,” the body and brain begin to crave it. Allowing ones self to enjoy something (like cheesecake) will allow one to not be overwhelmed with a craving because of denial of such enjoyment.

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2. Carolina House Eating Disorder Program. Nutrition Class in the winter of 2009.