Stew
Active member
Olive Garden
Chicken & shrimp carbonara
Key nutritional info: 1,590 calories, 114g total fat, 2,410mg sodium
While a dish starring chicken and shrimp might appear to be a healthier meal option at everyone's aunt's favorite Italian spot, it is unfortunately one of the worst choices on the menu. "This entree is deceiving," says Larson. "We normally think chicken and shrimp are lean, low-calorie choices. But not here." This is thanks in part to the cream-heavy sauce. The pasta also has a super-high sodium count. Look, we know you might get mad at us for exposing all these unhealthy food choices, but there's no need to get salty.
Cheesecake Factory
Chicken and biscuits
Key nutritional info: 2,260 calories, 68g saturated fat, 2,870mg sodium
The towering Factory of Cheesecake is notorious for its giant menu and even larger portions. It might appear that a dish like the the Bistro Shrimp Pasta or pasta carbonara would be the unhealthiest. But ultimately, the plate of gravy and biscuits (with its requisite fat and salt) allowed us to crown this meal the one to avoid. In fact, Larson says its saturated fat levels are more than triple what the recommended levels are to protect against heart disease.
Applebee's
New England fish and chips
Key nutritional info: 1,990 calories, 137g total fat, 4,540mg sodium
If you only have time for one meal a day, this Applebee's meal consisting of three fried fish pieces has your back. "This dish has enough calories for the entire day," Frechman says. Unfortunately, this is also packed with way more fat than you want to consume daily. Taking in too much fat could potentially result in heart disease. "The average American should limit their daily intake to 78g fat and less than 20g of saturated fat a day," she says.
Chili's
Texas dry rub ribs (full rack)
Key nutritional info: 1,080 calories, 72g fat, 4,580mg sodium
When Larson took a look at the nutritional stats for these ribs, she said they set off alarm bells, not dinner bells. She's especially concerned that the ribs have double the amount of sodium that's recommended for your entire day. And your daily allowance of fat content, too. It's basically like eating nine deep-fried Twinkies!
Outback Steakhouse
Slow-roasted prime rib (16oz)
Key nutritional info: 1,773 calories, 144g total fat, 1,600mg sodium
Like Biggie Smalls, Larson says prime rib is also "notorious," though in the prime rib's case it's for being "high in fat and calories" and not for being one of the best MCs of all time. Good prime rib is also Juicy. (Sorry.) Larson's main concerns are that it contains more than two-thirds the calories you need for an entire day and twice the amount of fat. To put it in perspective, it has the equivalent amount of fat as 4.5 Pizza Hut Meat Lover's pizzas. On top of that, the nutritional info doesn't even include the sides you'll inevitably pair it with.
Red Lobster
Crab linguini alfredo (full portion)
Key nutritional info: 1,910 calories, 121g total fat, 4,520mg sodium
Larson was disappointed that a low-calorie, lean protein choice like crab was made super unhealthy. She attributed that to the fact that it was served in a huge portion (check that calorie count!) that had a ton of added fat. Its 1,910 calories is about what you need in a day, and the sodium is almost double the recommended value. Due to the sodium content, Larson says it's potentially dangerous for those who have high blood pressure or kidney disease. While there's nothing fun about high blood pressure or kidney disease, it is fun to say the word "linguini." We could say that word all day and never get tired of it. Ling-weeeeeenie
Chicken & shrimp carbonara
Key nutritional info: 1,590 calories, 114g total fat, 2,410mg sodium
While a dish starring chicken and shrimp might appear to be a healthier meal option at everyone's aunt's favorite Italian spot, it is unfortunately one of the worst choices on the menu. "This entree is deceiving," says Larson. "We normally think chicken and shrimp are lean, low-calorie choices. But not here." This is thanks in part to the cream-heavy sauce. The pasta also has a super-high sodium count. Look, we know you might get mad at us for exposing all these unhealthy food choices, but there's no need to get salty.
Cheesecake Factory
Chicken and biscuits
Key nutritional info: 2,260 calories, 68g saturated fat, 2,870mg sodium
The towering Factory of Cheesecake is notorious for its giant menu and even larger portions. It might appear that a dish like the the Bistro Shrimp Pasta or pasta carbonara would be the unhealthiest. But ultimately, the plate of gravy and biscuits (with its requisite fat and salt) allowed us to crown this meal the one to avoid. In fact, Larson says its saturated fat levels are more than triple what the recommended levels are to protect against heart disease.
Applebee's
New England fish and chips
Key nutritional info: 1,990 calories, 137g total fat, 4,540mg sodium
If you only have time for one meal a day, this Applebee's meal consisting of three fried fish pieces has your back. "This dish has enough calories for the entire day," Frechman says. Unfortunately, this is also packed with way more fat than you want to consume daily. Taking in too much fat could potentially result in heart disease. "The average American should limit their daily intake to 78g fat and less than 20g of saturated fat a day," she says.
Chili's
Texas dry rub ribs (full rack)
Key nutritional info: 1,080 calories, 72g fat, 4,580mg sodium
When Larson took a look at the nutritional stats for these ribs, she said they set off alarm bells, not dinner bells. She's especially concerned that the ribs have double the amount of sodium that's recommended for your entire day. And your daily allowance of fat content, too. It's basically like eating nine deep-fried Twinkies!
Outback Steakhouse
Slow-roasted prime rib (16oz)
Key nutritional info: 1,773 calories, 144g total fat, 1,600mg sodium
Like Biggie Smalls, Larson says prime rib is also "notorious," though in the prime rib's case it's for being "high in fat and calories" and not for being one of the best MCs of all time. Good prime rib is also Juicy. (Sorry.) Larson's main concerns are that it contains more than two-thirds the calories you need for an entire day and twice the amount of fat. To put it in perspective, it has the equivalent amount of fat as 4.5 Pizza Hut Meat Lover's pizzas. On top of that, the nutritional info doesn't even include the sides you'll inevitably pair it with.
Red Lobster
Crab linguini alfredo (full portion)
Key nutritional info: 1,910 calories, 121g total fat, 4,520mg sodium
Larson was disappointed that a low-calorie, lean protein choice like crab was made super unhealthy. She attributed that to the fact that it was served in a huge portion (check that calorie count!) that had a ton of added fat. Its 1,910 calories is about what you need in a day, and the sodium is almost double the recommended value. Due to the sodium content, Larson says it's potentially dangerous for those who have high blood pressure or kidney disease. While there's nothing fun about high blood pressure or kidney disease, it is fun to say the word "linguini." We could say that word all day and never get tired of it. Ling-weeeeeenie
