Satisfy Your Hunger with Jimmy John’s Giant Turkey Tom – But Watch Those Calories!

Jimmy John’s is a popular sandwich chain known for serving up tasty subs made with quality ingredients. Their Giant Turkey Tom on 9-Grain Wheat bread is a customer favorite, packing lots of protein from turkey breast as well as fiber from the multi-grain bread. However, this oversized sandwich also packs a caloric punch that dieters need to account for.

A Closer Look at the Jimmy John’s Giant Turkey Tom

The Giant Turkey Tom starts with Jimmy John’s 9-Grain Wheat bread. Two long slices of this artisan-style bread form the top and bottom of the sandwich. In between goes four ounces of sliced turkey breast lettuce mayo, and slices of tomato. While all of these ingredients are fairly healthy and nutritious on their own, when combined into a foot-long sub the calories add up quickly.

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll find in a Jimmy John’s Giant Turkey Tom

• 9-Grain Wheat Bread – Packed with fiber, protein, and complex carbs from 9 different grains including oats barley and rye. However, the two long slices still account for a good portion of the sandwich’s calories.

• 4 oz Turkey Breast – A lean, low-fat protein providing 64 grams of protein. Turkey is a smart choice for those looking to get protein without all the saturated fat found in deli meats like salami or roast beef.

• Lettuce – A cup of shredded lettuce provides only 5 calories, making it an ideal low-cal veggie topping.

• Slices of Tomato – At only 5 calories per slice, tomato adds lots of nutrition without calories.

• Mayo – Just a couple tablespoons adds nearly 200 calories in the form of heart-healthy unsaturated fats. Still, moderation is key with the mayo!

When all the ingredients come together, a Jimmy John’s Giant Turkey Tom clocks in at a whopping 1270 calories! It also contains 59 grams of fat, 138 grams of carbs, and 64 grams of protein.

Why So Many Calories in a Turkey Sandwich?

You may be wondering how a simple turkey sandwich ends up with over 1200 calories. Here are the main factors that contribute to the sandwich’s high calorie count:

• Large Portions – Foot-long subs are intended for hearty appetites. Anyone watching their weight will want to opt for a smaller sandwich.

• Bread – Those two long slices of 9-grain wheat bread total up to 430 calories and 86 grams of carbs. Choosing a low-cal wrap or lettuce instead would slash calories.

• Mayo – While not the main culprit, the mayo does provide nearly 200 calories worth of fat. Ordering without mayo is an easy way to cut back.

• Cheese – Many customers add cheese like provolone or cheddar, tacking on about 100 extra calories. Skipping the cheese helps lighten the calorie load.

So in other words, it’s not necessarily the turkey and veggies that are calorie-dense. It’s the large portion size, bread, and condiments that boost this sandwich’s total calorie count into quadruple digits.

How Long to Burn off 1270 Turkey Tom Calories?

To burn off the 1270 calories found in a Giant Turkey Tom, the average adult would need to engage in some extended physical activity. Here’s an estimate of how long it would take to burn off those calories through exercise:

• Cycling – 194 minutes
• Jogging – 146 minutes
• Swimming – 106 minutes
• Walking – 353 minutes

As you can see, working off the calories from a big sub like the Turkey Tom takes a couple hours of continuous exercise. That’s a whole lot of pedaling, jogging, swimming or speed-walking!

Clearly, it’s smarter to carefully watch portion sizes of calorie-dense treats like the Giant Turkey Tom rather than trying to burn it all off after the fact. Or, get the satisfaction of your favorite Jimmy John’s sandwich while keeping calories in check by following the tips below.

Healthy Ways to Enjoy Jimmy John’s Turkey Tom

If you love the Turkey Tom but want to watch your waistline, here are some suggestions:

• Order a 6-inch or 8-inch sub. The smaller sizes still satisfy but cut calories in half.

• Opt for an Unwich, their lettuce wrap option. Ditching the bread saves you a bundle of calories.

• Skip the cheese and mayo. Request your sandwich made without these high-calorie extras.

• Ask for extra veggies to fill you up without adding calories.

• Share a 12-inch sub by splitting it in half. Portion control is key for subs!

• Drink water or unsweetened tea rather than soda which piles on more empty calories.

By customizing your order, you can still enjoy the delicious flavors of Jimmy John’s Turkey Tom while consuming far fewer calories. A 6-inch Turkey Tom Unwich with double veggies and no mayo or cheese comes in under 400 calories – much more diet-friendly!

So next time your stomach is rumbling for a Jimmy John’s sub, go ahead and satisfy your craving. Just opt for lean meats, load up on veggie toppings, and watch your portions. Their subs may not be the absolute lowest calorie choice, but with a few simple tweaks you can feel good about your meal.