The “Worst” Fast Foods

“Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie” -Jim Davis

At www.menshealth.com there is a listing of the worst [i.e. most unhealthy] foods at American restaurants. At the top is the Baskin Robbins Large Chocolate Oreo Shake with 2600 calories, 135 grams of fat and 1700 mg of sodium. With this one drink I would exceed all daily recommended limits (2000 calories, 40 grams fat, 1500 mg sodium) for a middle-age male.
In today’s society it is easy to consume way more calories (and salt) than you need. For example, beverages can add pounds quickly. My wife & I avoid full calorie sodas – I’d rather eat my calories. Diet sodas and diet “waters” are nice at 5 calories or less, but watch out for the salt content! Salt is hard to avoid. I’d love to stock up on dried soup mixes, Thai food mixes, etc, as part of my food storage; but have you looked at the amount of salt inside?

I love eating out but it does add to the waistline. Many years ago Taco Bell and Pizza Hut both offered healthy products. But they were dropped since the taste wasn’t as wonderful as the regular line and the pubic wants great tasting food; never mind the calories.

Here are some more extreme food examples from www.menshealth.com:

Romano’s Macaroni Grill Spaghetti and Meatballs with Meat Sauce
2430 calories, 128 g fat, 5290 mg sodium with three times your recommended daily intake of saturated fat and two days’ worth of salt.

Uno Chicago Grill Pizza Skins (full order)
2400 calories, 155 g fat, 3600 mg sodium

P.F. Chang’s Tam’s Noodles
1678 calories, 93 g fat, the equivalent of 42 Krispy Kreme Glazed Doughnut Holes.

Fish is healthy. How about a Quizno’s Tuna Melt (large)?
2090 calories, 175 g fat, 2190 mg sodium

Ok, a “healthy” salad then…
T.G.I. Fridays Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad
1360 calories, Fat: unknown, Sodium: unknown, the company refuses to disclose the nutritional content of their food.

How bad could a vegetarian sandwich be?
Blimpie Veggie Supreme (12”)
1106 calories, 56 g fat, 2831 mg sodium

Bottom Line
Restaurant food is made to please your taste buds, not your waistline. It will be loaded with salt, sugar and fats/oils since these create intense flavors. Order wisely (or infrequently) and beware of what’s been added to traditionally “healthy” items like fish, salads or vegetables.