And it's not pretty. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has come out with its "Xtreme Eating Awards" essentially calling out popular chain restaurants for their fatty, calorie-loaded meals. Brace yourselves.
Top on the list is Five Guys, the popular burger chain that got it's start here in the Mid-Atlantic and confession: my truly favorite of favorite comfort foods. Yes, this health writer indulges every once in a while. I'm human after all. Still, it hurts me to write this: A bacon cheeseburger and large fries tallies up to a whopping 2,380 calories.
But wait, doesn't it help that I don't put bacon on my burger and I always share the fries -- a small order at that?! No matter. A plain hamburger is 700 calories without any toppings -- way more than the 410-calorie Quarter Pounder at McDonalds. Why am I surprised?
Others on the list -- (you can take a look at all the offenders here):
Tostada Pizza at California Pizza Kitchen: It sounds healthy enough with black beans, cheddar cheese, lettuce, salsa and -- uh oh -- ranch dressing. You're looking at 1,440 calories and more than a day’s saturated fat (27 grams) and sodium (2,630 mg). The crust alone supplies some 400 calories’ worth of flour, CSPI explains.
Bob Evans' Cinnamon Cream Stacked & Stuffed Hotcakes: This one is just too much. Two pancakes stuffed with fruit or cinnamon chips with a layer of vanilla cream cheese topped with whipped topping will cost you 1,380 calories, 27 grams of saturated fat plus 7 grams of trans fat, and 27 teaspoons of sugar. Calorie wise alone, you're looking at the equivalent to two breakfast orders of country-fried steaks and eggs.
Are any of us surprised by this? Of course not. Still, with calorie counts soon to be required on chain restaurant meals, it's about time we get used to seeing these numbers, CSPI urges.