Summary of 9 Unhealthiest Chain Restaurant Meals, According to Dietitians:
Chain restaurants can provide an affordable menu with a broader array of options for the whole family, but their meals are often unhealthy. The most important factors to consider when choosing a meal at a chain restaurant are calories, saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium. The article lists the unhealthiest meals at popular chain restaurants, including Uno’s Pizzeria’s Deep Dish Pizza, Outback Steakhouse’s 16-ounce prime rib, Cheesecake Factory’s breakfast burrito, Red Lobster’s Admiral’s Feast, Applebee’s BBQ Riblets Platter, Olive Garden’s Tour of Italy, and Red Robin’s Monster Burger. These meals contain high calories, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium, with some having more than what is recommended for a person to consume in an entire day.
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Eating Out: The Unhealthiest Meals at Popular Chain Restaurants
Dining out with family and friends is one of the most enjoyable experiences we all love, but indulging in unhealthy meals at chain restaurants can negatively affect your health. While most chain restaurants feature appealing menus and affordable prices, knowing what you’re eating is vital to make informed and healthy choices.
Here’s a list of the unhealthiest meals at some popular chain restaurants, highlighting the things to consider when picking a meal.
Calories: The number of calories varies depending on an individual’s unique needs and goals. However, many dishes at chain restaurants can frequently contain as many calories as an entire day’s worth.
Saturated fat: The American Heart Association advises that saturated fat intake should be limited to only 5-6% of your daily calories to prevent heart diseases. Surprisingly, many unhealthiest meals at chain restaurants contain more than 13 grams of saturated fat, even up to five times a day’s recommended limit.
Trans fat: This unhealthy fat is associated with heart disease, amongst other things, and should be avoided or consumed sparingly. The World Health Organization recommends less than 2.2 grams of trans fat daily.
Sodium: While sodium gives meals their flavor, too much can result in heart disease and high blood pressure. The FDA recommends less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium daily, which most chain restaurants tend to exceed.
The Unhealthiest Meals to Order at 9 Popular Chain Restaurants:
Uno’s Pizzeria – Deep Dish Pizza
At 360 calories per slice, this pizza is loaded with high-calorie ingredients such as sausage, pepperoni, and cheese, and the deep-dish crust is also very calorie-dense.
Outback Steakhouse – 16 oz Prime Rib
High in calories, total fat, and saturated fat, the giant 16-ounce option is exceptionally unhealthy, as a loaded baked potato and creamy horseradish sauce accompany it. Opt for healthier steak options such as Victoria’s Filet Mignon or Center-Cut Sirloin.
Cheesecake Factory – Classic Breakfast Burrito
This breakfast burrito seems like a good choice but contains eggs, bacon, chicken chorizo, cheese, crispy potatoes, avocado, peppers, and onions. It is served with sour cream and black beans, estimating the average calories for an entire day.
Red Lobster – Admiral’s Feast Seafood Platter
This dish includes fried shrimp, bay scallops, clam strips, and seafood-stuffed flounder, all served with fries and coleslaw, making it a particularly unhealthy choice. This seafood platter contains 4 grams of trans fat, dangerously high.
Applebee’s – BBQ Riblets Platter
This platter is loaded with calories, fat, and sodium. The BBQ sauce is also high in sugar, which, over time, can lead to weight gain and health problems.
Olive Garden – Tour of Italy
This dish includes chicken parmigiana, lasagna classico, and fettuccine Alfredo, totaling over 1,500 calories and over your daily recommended sodium limit.
Red Robin – Monster Burger
This burger contains 1,220 calories, 77 grams of fat, and 2,840 milligrams of sodium. Remember that this does not include fries or other side dishes.
TGI Fridays – Loaded Chicken Nachos
This starter is meant for sharing but contains more calories than you need in an entire meal. It has 3,120 milligrams of sodium, more than your daily recommended intake.
McDonald’s – Big Breakfast with Hotcakes
This meal is high in calories, fat, and sodium. It is also high in carbs and sugar, with the pancake syrup alone containing 27 grams.
It’s essential to make informed and healthy choices when eating out. When you dine at any chain restaurant, take the time to review the menu and nutritional information before making your final decision. Opt for healthier options where available and ask your server to prepare your meal how you like, using lower-fat cooking techniques where possible. You can still enjoy a meal with family and friends while maintaining a healthy lifestyle by making simple changes.
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