Any time you hit up your favorite fast food or casual dining restaurant, you pretty much know you’re doing your body a disservice. But we don’t blame you. That whole thing about the body being a temple is hard to uphold 24/7. And who’s to say temples don’t enjoy a good slathering in fat and sugar every once in a while? But precisely how much damage are you doing when you enjoy a night out at say, Applebee’s? Quite a bit, it turns out. The Center For Science In The Public Interest has created a list for its Xtreme Eating Awards 2016 that calls out some of the most unhealthy meals we consume. The organization evaluates meals based on calories, sugar content, salt, and fat and we hate to say it but it might be time to cut back a bit.
Topping things off with the most frighteningly unhealthy meal on the market is Applebee’s. Your local “Neighborhood Bar and Grill” is offering up a bit more than you’ll find on the average neighborhood bbq with their “Build Your Sampler” option which, for the sake of awards season, boasts Cheeseburger Egg Rolls, Brew Pub Pretzels & Beer Cheese Dip, Chicken Quesadillas, Boneless Wings with Classic Buffalo Sauce, and Spinach & Artichoke Dip.
Total Calorie Count: 3,390
Saturated Fat: 65 grams
Sodium: 11,650 mg
Even if you share this with three other people/hopefully friends, that’s still a full day’s worth of sodium (and then some) in one single “appetizer” serving. In other words, you will be bloated for all of eternity.
Not far behind Applebee’s build-you-own heart attack is a slightly more exotic sampling from a little place we like to call Italy. And by Italy, we mean Maggiano’s. If you happen to be unfamiliar with this chain, Maggiano’s has several locations in New York and New Jersey and they’re known for family style Italian American cuisine. They’ve earned a spot on this list for a menu item called “Marco’s Meal For Two,” which features Mozzarella Marinara, Taylor Street Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage, Fettuccini Alfredo, and Warm Apple Crostada. Bada bing, bada boom!
Total Calorie Count: 2,830 per person
Saturated Fat: 77 grams
Sodium: 6,400 mg
While we understand that this is an absurd amount of food, we’re more concerned for the effect this much fat and sodium can have on one person. At the same time, we want everyone’s mouth to be happy so fuggedaboutit!
The third place runner up for the 2016 Xtreme Eating Awards goes to another fan favorite — Cheesecake Factory. Known as America’s Favorite Restaurant, this shocking breakfast extravaganza may have you cutting back on visits. The restaurant’s Fried Chicken and Waffles Benedict meal comes with one Belgian waffle topped with crispy fried chicken strips, poached eggs and Hollandaise plus a side of potatoes. Sounds reasonable!
Total Calorie Count: 2,580
Saturated Fat: 68 grams
Sodium: 3,390 mg
In other words, if you pay attention to daily value percentages, this Cheesecake Factory breakfast should be the only thing you consume all day. And with Cheesecake Factory being “America’s Favorite Restaurant,” and numbers like these, it’s no wonder America’s near the top of this list (spoiler alert: It’s an obesity ranking).
We’re honestly starting to wonder how it’s possible to fit such unhealthy statistics into a finite quantity of food. If you happen to be unfazed and your mouth is watering, please read the rest of the list over at Consumerist. It may seem like things can’t get worse, but somehow they almost do.
(Via Consumerist)
