The Center for Science in the Public Interest has released its "Xtreme Eating Awards," which draw attention to restaurant dishes that contain almost a full-days' recommended calories — and often blow past the recommended levels of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar. Did your favorite meal wind up on the list?
WASHINGTON — Picture this: You head out to a dinner with family at a casual sit-down restaurant. You get seated, the server comes and you order … 30 chicken McNuggets and five Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts?
Of course, most of us wouldn’t dream of such a gut-busting meal. But in terms of calories, saturated fat and sodium levels, many popular restaurant meals are no better, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
The group released its “Xtreme Eating Awards” Thursday, which draws attention to restaurant dishes that contain almost a full-day’s recommended calories — and often blow past the recommended levels of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar.
The group has issued the “Xtreme Eating Awards” since 2007. This was the first year that the Food and Drug Administration started requiring restaurants to post calories counts on menus and menu boards under the 2010 Affordable Care Act.
“Perhaps now that calories are on the menu for all to see, America’s chain restaurants will compete to create healthier dishes, rather than simply mashing up two or more junk foods,” said Lindsay Moyer, a senior nutritionist with the group.
Scroll through the gallery to see some of the most “Xtreme” meals.
The breakfast burrito at Cheesecake Factory is stuffed with scrambled eggs, bacon, chicken chorizo, cheese, potatoes, avocado, peppers and onions covered in spicy ranchero sauce and served with sour cream, salsa and black beans.
It contains more calories than the recommended daily limit (2,730) and nearly double the amount of recommended daily sodium intake (4,630 milligrams).
Eating this for breakfast is equivalent to eating seven McDonald’s Sausage McMuffins, the group said.
(Courtesy CSPI)
Courtesy CSPI
Here’s some good news: Maybe you shouldn’t feel so guilty about ordering that large popcorn slathered in hot butter. The group said 9-inch-wide Bavarian Legend soft pretzel stocked at the concession stand at AMC movie theaters contains almost as many calories as you should consume in an entire day (1,920) plus three times the total sodium you should consume in a day (7,600 milligrams).
(Courtesy CPSI)
Courtesy CPSI
Ordering the Honey-Chipotle Crispers and Waffles from Chili’s is equivalent to ordering five Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts and 30 McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets, the group said. The dish contains 2,510 calories; 4,480 milligrams of sodium and an estimated 105 grams of added sugar.
(Courtesy CPSI)
Courtesy CPSI
Is it pizza? Is it chicken Parmesan? It’s Cheesecake Factory’s Chicken Parmesan “Pizza Style” and it’s loaded with calories (1,870), sodium (3,080 milligrams) and saturated fat (55 grams).
(Courtesy CPSI)
Courtesy CPSI
Consider this an example of unjust desserts. The peanut butter s’more “pizookie” from BJ’s contains 1,580 calories and an estimated 135 milligrams in added sugar. The group said it’s equivalent to eating a 14-ounce container of Haagen-Dazs chocolate ice cream and two cups of marshmallow fluff.
(Courtesy CSPI)
Courtesy CSPI
You can’t go wrong with a burger. Or can you? The Double SmokeShack from Shake Shack comes with applewood-smoked bacon, t”ShackSauce” and is served with the chain’s crinkle-cut fries and a peanut butter milkshake. It contains more calories than are recommended for daily intake (2,240) and 3,170 milligrams of sodium. The group said this would be like eating three McDonald’s quarter pounders with cheese plus three vanilla cones.
(Courtesy CSPI)
Jack Moore joined WTOP.com as a digital writer/editor in July 2016. Previous to his current role, he covered federal government management and technology as the news editor at Nextgov.com, part of Government Executive Media Group.
