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SALT LAKE CITY — What’s in your dinner?
Although it may not look like that much food, if you’re not careful when you’re eating out, you’ll completely blow past your recommended daily calorie intake.
Consumer advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest released its annual Xtreme Eating Awards. They rated the worst restaurant meals in America — and it’s not that easy to win. Meals that hit 1,000 calories are a dime a dozen, so the best of the worst had to hit around 2,000 calories.
“But our winners have what it takes...a total disregard for the obesity epidemic and the coming diabetes tsunami,” CSPI said in a press release.
People plan on eating more than normal when they go out to eat, but in a country where 67 percent of its residents are overweight, CSPI claims these restaurants go to the extreme in creating unhealthy options.
Red Lobster is unhappy to make the list again and told Today.com the report is misleading.
"CSPI was dishonest when they neglected to reference other possible combinations, guest choice and the lighter options available,” Red Lobster spokeswoman Eric Ettori told today.com in a statement. “Guests can create a combination that has significantly lower nutritionals."
Keep reading to see what meals made the cut and what you can eat instead to keep your calories at a normal level.
IHOP’s Chorizo Fiesta Omelet
Paige Einstein/CSPI
Just the sausage omelette comes in at 1,300 calories, but it also comes with a side of three buttermilk pancakes.
Nutritional info: 1,990 calories, 42 g saturated fat, 4,840 mg sodium, 12 tsp. refined sugar
Equivalent: McDonald’s Big Breakfast (scrambled eggs, hash browns, biscuit and sausage) and 3 Sausage McMuffins with five packets of grape jam
Swap: Swap the buttermilk pancakes for fresh fruit to save more than 900 calories
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit 3 Meat Plate
Paige Einstein/CSPI
There are eight meats to choose from and CSPI ordered the Polish sausage, pork ribs and beef brisket. Out of 10 sides, they went with the fried onion tanglers and mac and cheese. The meal also comes with a free roll, pickles, onions and Miss Ollie Dickey’s Famous Southern Sweet Tea. Order the 32 oz. size and get free refills.
Nutritional info: 2,500 calories, 49 g of saturated fat, 4,700 mg of sodium, 29 tsp. sugar.
Equivalent: Three Big Macs with five vanilla cones
Swap: Choose chicken breast, turkey and honey ham instead. Skip the sides, roll and drink.
Outback Steakhouse Herb Roasted Prime Dinner
Paige Einstein/CSPI
The 16-ounce prime rib alone is already 1,400 calories. Add in a dressed baked potato and their premium side salad wedge, and half a loaf of bread to tack on 1,000 more calories.
Nutritional info: 2,400 calories, 71 g saturated fat, 3,560 mg sodium.
Equivalent: Three Outback 10 oz. Ribeye steaks with three sides of garlic mashed potatoes.
Swap: Outback offers seven meals under 600 calories. Stick with fresh vegetables and a regular house salad with light dressing.
Cheesecake Factory Louisiana Chicken Pasta
Paige Einstein/CSPI
This pasta dish weighs in at a whopping 1.5 pounds. The New Orleans sauce is made from butter and heavy cream and the dish is topped with heavily breaded chicken.
Nutritional info: 2,370 calories, 80 g saturated fat, 2,370 mg sodium
Equivalent: Two Fettuccini Alfredos and two breadsticks at Olive Garden
Swap: The restaurant has a “Skinnylicious” menu with small plates, appetizers and salads. Choose from healthier options like their chicken pasta, which comes with sautéed chicken, tomato, basil and topped with marinara sauce.
Sonic Pineapple Upside Down Master Blast
Paige Einstein/CSPI
You can get just about any milkshake at Sonic in a 32 oz. size. This version comes with pineapple, salted caramel and pie crust pieces — and over a day’s worth of calories.
Nutritional info: 2,020 calories, 61 g saturated fat, 4.5 g trans fat, 29 tsp. added sugar
Equivalent: Four Dairy Queen Banana Splits
Swap: A banana split at Sonic will set you back just 490 calories and 13 g of saturated fat. Save even more by making your own banana split at home using low-fat ice cream and top it with fresh fruit.
Red Lobster Create Your Own Combo
Paige Einstein/CSPI
Red Lobster gets top honors for the highest-calorie meal. CSPI picked three shrimp options of nine total: Parrot Isla Jumbo Coconut, Walt’s Favorite and Shrimp Linguine Alfredo.
Nutritional info: 2,710 calories, 37 g saturated fat, 6,530 mg sodium. Add in the chain’s namesake Traditional Lobsterita for 890 more calories and 860 mg sodium for a total of 3,600 calories.
Equivalent: Nine McDonald’s cheeseburgers.
Swap: Red Lobster's spokeswoman Erica Ettori has slammed the report. She recommends ordering the Snow Crab Legs, Seafood Stuffed Flounder and 7 oz. Peppercorn grilled sirloin with a garden salad and steamed broccoli. She says this comes to 620 calories, 6 g saturated fat, 2,370 mg sodium
Uno Pizzeria & Grill 2 for $12 Pick & Choose
Paige Einstein/CSPI
You get a choice of five salads, four pastas and three pizzas and CSPI picked the Baked Ziti & Sausage Pasta and the Chicago Classic Deep Dish Pizza.
Nutritional info: 2,190 calories, 49 g saturated fat, 5,420 mg sodium.
Equivalent: Three Pizza Hut Pepperoni Lover’s Personal Pan Pizzas.
Swap: You won’t find a pizza for under 400 calories, but get the Roasted Spinach Eggplant & Feta Pizza and the Strawberry Walnut Salad to keep your meal under 600 calories.
Cheesecake Factory Warm Apple Crisp
Paige Einstein/CSPI
This cobbler-like dessert comes with a crispy, nutty topping and two scoops of ice cream, whipped cream and caramel sauce.
Nutritional info: 1,740 calories, 48 g saturated fat, 32 tsp. sugar.
Equivalent: Two slices of Cheesecake Factory’s original cheesecake.
Swap: Share one slice of original cheesecake.
Steak ‘n’ Shake 7X7 Steakburger ‘n Fries
Paige Einstein/CSPI
You can only get this specialty burger from midnight to 6 a.m. Seven patties with melted cheese are shoved between its buns. 1,330 calories in the burger, 240 calories in the small fries. Add a Chocolate Fudge Brownie Shake for 960 more calories.
Nutritional info: 2,530 calories, 68 g saturated fat, 5,060 mg sodium, 26 tsp. sugar.
Equivalent: Four 9 oz. Outback sirloin steaks, each capped off with two half cup scoops of Breyers Chocolate Ice Cream.
Swap: Just eat one patty with the single Steakburger and you’ll only be out 280 calories. Skip the milkshake and share the fries.
For more information, visit cspinet.org.
