Wednesday, September 9, 2009

A 1900-Calorie Burger?!?!

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/eatthis/36301/a-1900-calorie-burger-and-other-shocking-summer-foods/

A 1900-Calorie Burger?!?! (And Other Shocking Summer Foods)
Wed, Aug 12, 2009
David Zinczenko, with Matt Goulding a Yahoo! Health Expert for Nutrition

It's true: A little dessert won't kill you. Or even make you fat.

The problem, of course, is actually finding a little dessert. Take Romano's Macaroni Grill, for instance. This restaurant's offerings include no fewer than seven sweets that break the 1,000-calorie barrier.

It just goes to show: The typical restaurant menu has more hidden hazards than Amen Corner at Augusta National. (Check out our slideshow of the 30 Worst Foods in America for some jaw-dropping examples). Misplay your shot at ordering dinner, and your caloric cup runneth over. That's why we wrote our newest book, Eat That, Not That! The Best (& Worst!) Foods in America.

Think of us as your menu handicapper as we point out the hazards, crunch the numbers, and help you go straight for the winners. Accordingly, we've identified the very healthiest menu items in hundreds of categories--as well as the choices you should 86 for good. We offer a taste here--featuring the best and worst summer fare, from burgers to sides to drinks.

It's a lot like golf, in fact. Keep your numbers low with each meal--by eating smart and avoiding nutritional bogeys--and the total will take care of itself.

WORST SIDE DISH OF THE SUMMER
Uno Chicago Grill Spinach, Chicken, and Gorgonzola Salad
720 calories
50 g carbohydrates
44 g fat (10 g saturated)
1,320 mg sodium

Unless it's labeled "side," most Uno salads are big enough to be your entire meal. The spinach base is a good, healthy start, but this salad goes overboard with extra cheese and dressing.

Eat this instead!
Caesar Side Salad
250 calories
8 g carbohydrates
22 g fat (5 g saturated)
430 mg sodium

WORST FROZEN COFFEE DRINK OF THE SUMMER
Cosi Gigante Double OH! Arctic (23 oz)
1,210 calories
259 g carbohydrates
19 g fat

How does Cosi assemble this caloric depth charge? By dropping a giant Oreo cookie into a blender, topping the drink with a gob of whipped cream, and sticking another Oreo on top. (Lose weight fast by watching what you drink! Scroll through this eye-popping slideshow: The 20 Worst Drinks in America.)

Drink this instead!
Grande Latte (15 oz)
210 calories
21 g carbohydrates
7 g fat

WORST DESSERT OF THE SUMMER
Romano's Macaroni Grill New York Cheesecake with Caramel Fudge Sauce
1,660 calories
165 g carbohydrates
97 g fat (57 g saturated)
950 mg sodium

Macaroni Grill's dessert menu is downright dangerous: the Amaretto Apple Crispetti (1,450 calories), the Smothered Chocolate Cake (1,390 calories), and worst of all, this caramel-drenched cheesecake. (Get two dozen easy and effective exercise routines to get your best body fast! Try the new Men's Health iPhone fitness app!)

Eat this instead!
Italian Sorbetto with Biscotti
240 calories
58 g carbohydrates
1 g fat (0.5 g saturated)
35 mg sodium

WORST BURGER OF THE SUMMER
Chili's Smokehouse Bacon Triple Cheese Big Mouth Burger with Jalapeno Ranch Dressing
1,901 calories
68 g carbohydrates
138 g fat (47 g saturated)
4,201 mg sodium

Any 21-syllable burger spells trouble. This is as caloric as four Burger King Double Cheeseburgers, and has as much fat as 15 Pillsbury Grands! Flaky Layer Biscuits.

Eat this instead!
Fajita Pita Beef
489 calories
51 g carbohydrates
21 g fat (4 g saturated)
1,543 mg sodium

WORST MILKSHAKE OF THE SUMMER
Cold Stone Creamery Gotta Have It Size PB&C Shake
2,010 calories
131 g fat (68 g saturated)
153 g sugars

This one drink packs more calories than a dozen ice cream sandwiches and more saturated fat than nearly 20 large orders of McDonald's french fries. Cold Stone has no shake under 1,000 calories, so have a small ice cream instead. (See our list of 11 ice creams under 200 calories.)

Eat This Instead!
Like It Size Peanut Butter Ice Cream
370 calories
24 g fat (13 g saturated)
28 g sugars

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