The Unhealthiest Meals at Chain Restaurants

Written By KARA SEYMOUR and CHARLENE ARSENAULT

The Center for Science in the Public Interest recently put out a list of high-calorie, fat-packed options served at national restaurant chains. And most of the meals exceed the recommended daily calorie intake for the average person.

The organization reveals the caloric, fat and sugar contents of specific dishes at Sonic, IHOP, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Outback Steakhouse, The Cheesecake Factory, Red Lobster, Uno Pizzeria & Grill and Steak ‘n Shake.

The diet-sabotaging dishes have been highlighted in their Xtreme Eating Awards.

If these dishes are your favorites, does this report change your mind about ordering them again?

The ‘winning’ selections include:

• Uno Pizzeria & Grill’s Baked Ziti & Sausage Pasta and Chicago Classic Deep Dish Pizza (2,190 calories) [There are no Uno locations in CT]

• Outback Steakhouse’s 16-ounce prime rib, dressed baked potato and blue cheese wedge salad (2,400 calories)

• The Cheesecake Factory’s Louisiana Chicken Pasta with New Orleans sauce (2,370 calories) and Warm Apple Crisp (1,740 calories)

• Sonic’s Pineapple Upside Down Master Blast (2,020 calories)

• IHOP’s Chorizo Fiesta Omelette (1,300 calories)

• Red Lobster’s Create Your Own Combination featuring Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp, Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, and Linguine Alfredo shrimp dishes with fries, Caesar salad and one Cheddar Bay biscuit (2,710 calories)

Add in the 24 oz. Traditional Lobsterita margarita, clocking in at 890 calories and 860 mg of sodium and the meal is up to 3,600 calories.

Red Lobster takes issue with the Xtreme findings, saying CSPI’s list mischaracterizes the nature of that particular menu item and fails to mention that guests can create lighter options as part of that dish, with selections like wood-grilled salmon and garlic grilled shrimp.

“The Create Your Own Combination lets guests choose two or three preparations from a list of nine to create a dish that meets their individual tastes and dietary preferences,” said a Red Lobster spokesperson. “In fact, there are more than 500 possible combinations guests can create as part of Create Your Own. CSPI’s Xtreme Eating Awards hone in on just one atypical combination and as a result inaccurately portrays the nature of this menu item. They neglected to reference other possible combinations, guest choice and the lighter options available.”

Photo credit: The Center for Science in the Public Interest