iHopMost people would look at this list and think: "Oh, great. Now I know what to avoid when I go out to eat." We look at this list and think: "Oh, hell yeah! Now we have our restaurant bucket list!"
Just kidding, these meals have more calories than one should have in an entire day and you should definitely avoid them if you love your heart, arteries and entire body.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest's has released a report that named the nine worst restaurant meals in the country. The Xtreme Eating Awards, as the cheekily call it, was published in their Nutrition Action Healthletter. Did any of your favorite menu orders make the list?
Authors Jayne Hurley and Bonnie Liebman picked the meals that had "a total disregard for the obesity epidemic and the coming diabetes tsunami" and they only looked at menu items over 2,000 calories, i.e. more calories than most people are supposed to ingest in one day.
So based on sodium, cholesterol, calories, saturated fat and all that other stuff that you should only have in delicious moderation, here are the 9 unhealthiest restaurant meals in America:
1. Cheesecake Factory Louisiana Chicken Pasta
Description: "Parmesan crusted chicken served over pasta with mushrooms, peppers and onions in a spicy New Orleans sauce"
Damage: 2,370 calories, 80 grams of saturated fat and 2,370 mg of sodium
2. IHOP Chorizo Fiesta Omelette (with side of pancakes)
Description: "Loaded with spicy chorizo sausage, roasted peppers, onions and pepper jack cheese, then topped with a citrus chili sauce and sour cream and served with a fresh grilled serrano pepper"
Damage: 1,990 calories, 42 grams of saturated fat, 4,840 mgs of sodium and 1,035 mg of cholesterol
3. Outback Steakhouse 16 oz. Herb Roasted Prime Rib (with side salad and baked potato)
Description: "Seasoned, slow-roasted and hand-carved to order"
Damage: 2,400 calories, 71 grams of saturated fat and 3,560 mg of sodium
4. Uno Pizzeria & Grill 2 For $12 Pick & Choose
Description: Baked Ziti & Sausage Pasta and Chicago Classic Deep Dish Pizza
Damage: 2,190 calories, 49 grams of saturated fat and 5,420 mg of sodium
5. Sonic Pineapple Upside-Down Master Blast Shake
Description: "Real, vanilla ice cream perfectly mixed with pineapple, salted caramel & pie crust pieces"
Damage: 2,020 calories, 61 grams of saturated fat, 4.5 grams of trans fat and about 29 teaspoons of added sugar
6. Dickey's Barbecue Pit 3 Meat Plate
Description: Polish sausage, pork ribs, and beef brisket with a side of fried onion tanglers and mac and cheese. Plus an ice cream cone.
Damage: 2,500 calories, 49 grams of saturated fat and 4,700 mg of sodium
7. Steak 'n Shake's 7X7 Steakburger 'n Fries
Description: "It's 7 Steakburgers™ and 7 slices of American cheese- a one pounder!"
Damage: 2,530 calories, 68 grams of saturated fat, 5,060 mg of sodium and 26 teaspoons of sugar
8. Cheesecake Factory Warm Apple Crisp
Description: "Our Delicious Crispy Nutty Topping and Vanilla Ice Cream"
Damage: 1,740 calories, 48 grams of saturated fat and 32 teaspoons of sugar
9. Red Lobster's Create Your Own Combination
Description: Three shrimp dishes (Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut, Walt's Favorite, and Linguine Alfredo), french fries, Caesar salad, and one Cheddar Bay Biscuit. Plus a 24-oz Traditional Lobsterita drink
Damage: 3,600 calories, 37 grams of saturated fat, and 6,530 mg of sodium
Look, it's not our style to rain on anyone's eating parade, because we've been known to spend an embarrassingly excessive amount of money at the Taco Bell drive-thru. The last thing we want to be are a bunch of dining Debbie Downers.
But next time you open up a menu at these establishments or at any restaurant, just be aware of what you're eating because you only have one body. Unless you have two bodies in which case…what are you?!