Shocking Options From Restaurant Chains

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with Elaine Magee, MPH, RD

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Friday, November 12, 2010
Shocking Options From Restaurant Chains

You Won’t Believe This!

The holiday season is just around the corner…a time when people eat out more often, be it for work parties or family celebrations. There’s nothing like a dietitian flipping through the nutrition information on the menu to ruin the party. Seriously though, the following five menu options truly shocked me! Let’s see if you are equally as appalled.

Shocking Option #1

You expect the Bloomin’ Onion from the Outback Steakhouse to be shockingly high in calories and fat, but you don’t expect their Chicken Quesadilla to have even more calories and fat and saturated fat.

While the Bloomin’ Onion contains 1552 calories, 83 grams of fat, 32 grams of saturated fat, and 5508 mg sodium…

The Alice Springs Chicken Quesadilla contains even more calories, fat and saturated with a total of 2140 calories, 132 grams of fat, 59 grams of saturated fat and 3580 mg sodium.

Shocking Option #2

You expect the Double Bacon Cheeseburger at Cheesecake Factory to be loaded with calories and fat, but it’s downright frightening to think that sandwiches you think are healthy alternatives to the burger are similarly high in calories and fat.

The Cheesecake Factory Double BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger contains 1863 calories, 42 grams saturated fat and 3348 mg sodium. Here’s how the seemingly healthful alternatives stack up:

Incredible Grilled Eggplant sandwich contains 1472 calories, 28 grams saturated fat and 1870 mg sodium
Grilled Portabella on a Bun contains 1377 calories, 22 grams saturated fat and 1362 mg sodium
Grilled Turkey Burger contains 1331 calories, 31 grams saturated fat, and 1674 mg sodium
Shocking Option #3

I’m stunned that The Cheesecake Factory felt compelled to take already fat-laden macaroni and cheese and fry it! This new appetizer totals 1606 calories, 70 grams saturated fat and 1893 mg sodium. But I think I am even more aghast that opting for a “side” of regular macaroni and cheese will cost you 1462 calories, 45 grams of saturated fat and 1330 mg sodium.

Shocking Option #4

It’s perhaps predictable that the Cheesecake Factory’s Fettuccine Alfredo (albeit meatless) has over 2,000 calories and 100 grams of saturated fat in a serving…but my heart literally missed a beat when I noticed that two of their entrees featuring fish actually have even more calories:

Bistro Shrimp Pasta contains 2819 calories, 77 grams saturated fat, 1008 mg sodium
Herb Crusted Salmon & Shrimp Scampi contains 2010 calories, 80 grams saturated fat, 1423 mg sodium
Shocking Option #5

I figured one of Chili’s Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie desserts would be worth over a thousand calories, and Chili’s didn’t disappoint! One dessert totals 1590 calories, 37 grams saturated fat, and 910 mg sodium. I suppose if you split it with some friends it wouldn’t be too bad. But to keep it under 300 calories, you would have to share with four friends!

Have you seen something on the menu of your favorite restaurant chain that shocked you?

AmberMagdalena

I've heard about that shrimp pasta at the cheesecake factory...awful! Ihop and cheesecake factory are the two most fattening restaurants to eat at!

Mollydolly10

uuuugh cheesecake factory is sooo bad - it's crazy.

bummmmp!

kmtetour

This is why planning ahead is so key! My husband and I went to Chili's recently, and I scoured their nutrition information to figure out what I could eat. I finally discovered the Margarita Grilled Chicken with rice and black beans was only 600 calories. AND it was tasty. The salads were crazy.

Phoenix_Rising

Thank goodness I've never been to a Cheesecake Factory to delight in their sinful foods!!!!

eillamarie

And this is why I very rarely eat out!....That & I don't eat gluten, so that limits where I can go & what I can have anyway lol

My secret if I MUST eat out is thai food...it's a spicy kick for the metabolism! However, they tend to use a lot of white rice noodles & there's probably a lot of hidden oils and stuff...but it's still better than McDonald's! lol

Rjperron

Salads at chain restaurants are always shocking. 910 calories in the Quesadilla Explosion Salad from Chillis, and the dressing isn't even creamy (a key indicator of high-fat salads). Even at Outback, the relatively healthy Filet Wedge salad comes in at over 550 calories, when you can have a 6oz steak, veggies and (gasp!) mashed potatoes for around the same calories.

azmomof2

I know so many people who think Arby's market fresh sandwhiches are a good alternative...really now?

Roast beef and swiss...
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 345g
Amount Per Serving
Calories 820 Cal from Fat 340
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 37g 56%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 80mg 26%
Sodium 1760mg 73%
Total Carbs 84g 28%
Dietary Fiber 6g 24%
Sugars 18g
Protein 40g

Compare that to the regular roast beef sandwhich
Calories 350 Cal from Fat 110
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 45mg 15%
Sodium 960mg 40%
Total Carbs 37g 12%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Sugars 5g
Protein 23g


I would choose neither but still I'm just saying fast food/restaurant dining = think and plan before you go! Oh and here is an awesome link that gives the nutritional value for many of them! http://www.eddieoneverything.com/nutrition_info/calculators

MadiCole

Ugh, reading this made my stomach do a flip. I can't imagine scarfing down that many calories in one sitting. :noway:

HerbieSue

Gosh, I would have chosen the grilled portabella mushroom on a bun, what is also on it to make the calories sooooo high?