If you're on a diet, perhaps you should just look away now. Or perhaps you should read very closely.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest has unveiled its annual list of the most unhealthy restaurant meals — nine of the most calorie-laden appetizers, entrees, drinks and desserts from the country's chains.
One designee is the Whole Hog Burger from Uno Pizzeria & Grill, which is "over a pound of meat," including bacon, prosciutto and pepperoni. Add to that four types of cheese, garlic mayo, pickles, a side of fries and onion rings, and the total calories come to 2,850. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that moderately active adults get a maximum of 2,000 calories a day. CSPI said this meal is the equivalent of eating four McDonald's Quarter Pounders and two medium fries, with an extra 18 packets of salt.
"Unfortunately, these extreme meals are more like the rule, not the exception," CSPI dietitian Lindsay Moyer said.
Also among the watchdog group's targeted meals this year is Jersey Mike's Subs Giant Chipotle Cheese Steak, with cheese, peppers and onions, spicy chipotle mayo and 1,850 calories. That's the equivalent of eating two Subway roast beef foot-long subs. Making the cheesesteak a combo meal with a Pepsi and chips adds more than 600 additional calories.
Or the Build Your Sampler at Applebee's, which comes with between two and five appetizers and could reach 3,390 calories if you include Cheeseburger Egg Rolls, soft pretzels and beer cheese dip, a chicken quesadilla, Buffalo wings and spinach and artichoke dip.
The "Xtreme Eating Awards" list is intended to raise awareness of the growing size, calorie and fat content of restaurant meals in an effort to combat obesity. More than one-third of U.S. adults and about 17 percent of children are considered obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Although some restaurants already post calories on their menus, that move will become mandatory for all chains in May of next year.
