At 3,540 calories, it's the "single unhealthiest" meal the group could find on more than 200 chain restaurant menus it reviewed for the 2014 edition of its not-very-coveted Xtreme Eating Awards. The awards go to dishes and combos especially high in calories, fat, sugar and salt.
The group found it easier than usual to find nutrition offenders this year, says the center's Paige Einstein, a registered dietitian.
"In the past, our winners have usually had about 1,500 calories," she says. "Most of these dishes have at least 2,000." They often are on menus that feature new, lighter options, too — but "those are much smaller parts of the menu," Einstein says.
While Red Robin gets the top spot, the Cheesecake Factory gets the most — three — for its Farfalle with Chicken and Roasted Garlic (2,410 calories), Bruléed French Toast (2,780 calories) and Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake (1,500 calories).
To burn off those calories, the center says, you would have to do:
• 12 hours of brisk walking for the Monster Burger meal
• 7 hours of lap-swimming for the French toast.
• 5 hours of jogging for the chicken pasta dish
• 4.5 hours of aerobics for the cheesecake.
The list also includes a spare rib plate from Famous Dave's; a combo plate from Chevys Fresh Mex; a seafood platter from Joe's Crab Shack; a steak dish from Maggiano's Little Italy; and a deep-dish chicken-bacon-ranch pizza from BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse.
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