Worst (for you) Foods in America

December 19, 2007 by Svetlana  Send to a Friend

So, I have a Mother. (shocking to all those who think I was raised by wild wolves, I know). And my Mother saves the world from cardiovascular diseases and non-communicable illnesses on a daily basis and so all emails she ever forwards me have to do with saving MYSELF FROM CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES. And overweightness, I guess.
And because I am such a sweet heart and also because I actually consume (some) of these foods (semi) regularly, I figured, why not help YOU SAVE YOURSELF FROM CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES. And overweightness, I guess.
Read and weep
Without further a do, here we have:

Worst fast food chicken: Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips from McDonald’s (5 pieces) with creamy ranch sauce — 830 calories, 55 grams (g) fat (4.5 g trans fat). Tack on an order of fries and a coke and you’re in the area of 1,710 calories. If McDonald’s chicken is on the menu, stick with the six piece McNuggets with barbeque sauce and save around 500 calories.

Worst drink: Jamba Juice Chocolate Moo’d Power Smoothie (30 fl oz) — 900 calories 10 g fat, 183 g carbs (166 g sugar). If you get by a location on your travels, stay well away from this one. Jamba Juice calls it a smoothie, but it’s got more sugar than two pints of Ben ‘N Jerry’s butter pecan.

Worst supermarket meal: Pepperidge Farm Roasted Chicken Pot Pie (whole pie) — 1,020 calories 64 g fat, 86 g carbs. The label says the pot pie serves two, but when was the last time you split a pot pie in half?

Worst “healthy” burger: Ruby Tuesday Bella Turkey Burger — 1,145 calories 71 g fat, 56 g carbs. I mentioned this one at the top of this story. How many folks have ordered this one thinking they were doing a good thing?

Worst Mexican entrée: Chipotle Mexican Grill Chicken Burrito — 1,179 calories 47 g fat, 125 g carbs. Lots of healthy ingredients (which Chipotle touts in their ads and in-store signs) added together equal major calories. Bonus points for the 2,656 milligrams (mg) sodium.

Worst kids meal: Macaroni Grill Double Macaroni ‘n’ Cheese — 1,210 calories 62 g fat, 3,450 mg sodium. Is there any wonder why kids in elementary schools are so fat? This is the same as giving your kid a box and a half of Kraft Mac ‘N Cheese.

Worst sandwich: Quiznos Classic Italian (large) — 1,528 calories 92 g fat, 4,604 mg sodium. Get the lunch meat and make a goodly sized sandwich yourself at home, and cut the calories and the sodium dramatically.

Worst salad: On the Border Grande Taco Salad with Taco Beef — 1,450 calories 102 g fat. Most taco salads are guilty. Lose as much of the extra meat as you can from the salad to cut the calorie count.

Worst burger: Carl’s Jr. Double Six Dollar Burger — 1,520 calories 111 g fat. Carl’s Jr. (Hardee’s in this part of the country) is unapologetically guilty of creating some of the worst offenders when it comes to burgers. Hardee’s Monster Thickburger (same sandwich) is two 1/3 lb. beef patties, bacon, cheese and mayo on a huge bun. ‘Nuff said.

Worst steak: Lonestar 20 oz T-bone — 1,540 calories 124 g fat. Add a baked potato and Lonestar’s lettuce wedge, you’re up to 2,700 calories and rolling back to your car.

Worst breakfast: Bob Evans Caramel Banana Pecan Cream Stacked and Stuffed Hotcakes — 1,540 calories 77 g fat (9 g trans fat). That’s the same as (count ‘em) five Egg McMuffins stacked and stuffed.

Worst dessert: Chili’s Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream — 1,600 calories 78 g fat. Have a Big Mac for dessert, why don’t you? That’s what you’re eating at that calorie count.

Worst Chinese entrée: P.F. Chang’s Pork Lo Mein — 1,820 calories 127 g fat. Lo Mein is among the more fatty Chinese entrées to begin with. Going with this version bulks on the calories. Stick with something lighter like Moo Goo Gai Pan or the ginger chicken and broccoli, both in the 660 calorie range.

Worst chicken entrée: Chili’s Honey Chipotle Crispers with Chipotle Sauce — 2,040 calories 99 g fat. Extra crispy skin is tasty, but laden with fat. Stick with the chicken fajita pita - lower calorie count, lower fat content and no fat-laden crispy skin to contend with.

Worst fish entrée: On the Border Dos XX Fish Tacos with Rice and Beans — 2,100 calories 130 g fat, 169 g carbs 4,750 mg sodium. Imagine a dozen Taco Bell hard shell tacos at one sitting, and you’re close to this.

Worst pizza: Uno Chicago Grill Chicago Classic Deep Dish Pizza — 2,310 calories 162 g fat, 123 g carbs 4,470 mg sodium. That’s supposed to be a personal pizza. Better alternative: buy the medium or large, eat a single slice and share it with friends. Great flavor, and better on the waistline.

Worst pasta: Macaroni Grill Spaghetti and Meatballs with Meat Sauce — 2,430 calories 128 g fat, 207 g carbs 5,290 mg sodium. Most people down less calories in an entire day. Skip the full portion, and ask for the kids size. Otherwise, get the doggie bag and you’re got lunch for the next two days.

Worst nachos: On the Border Stacked Border Nachos — 2,740 calories 166 g fat, 191 g carbs 5,280 mg sodium. Your arteries begin to harden as you look at the plate. Better bet: wait until you get home, and make your own nachos to go with a six-pack of cerveza from the local bodega.

Worst starter: Chili’s Awesome Blossom — 2,710 calories 203 g fat, 194 g carbs 6,360 mg sodium. Four words: Battered deep fried onion. Even sharing, it’s not good for you.

Worst food in America: Outback Steakhouse Aussie Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing — 2,900 calories 182 g fat, 240 g carbs. For those who love totally unhealthy food, it’s a feast: French fries, cheese, ranch dressing — all together, all at once. Lace up your running shoes and run — the other way.

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