The Cheesecake Factory
DON’T Farmhouse Cheeseburger: 1,530 Calories, 36g of saturated fat
DO SkinnyLicious Hamburger: 570 Calories, 10g of saturated fat
The Farmhouse Cheeseburger actually received a rather embarrassing Xtreme Eating Award by the Center for Science in the Public Interest back in 2011 for its hefty fat content. Possibly in retaliation for being called one of the unhealthiest restaurants in America, The Cheesecake Factory developed their “SkinnyLicious” side menu that features dishes under They also removed the Farmhouse Cheeseburger from their menu, choosing to “upgrade” their burgers into more slimming Glamburgers. The SkinnyLicious Hamburger, now found on their SkinnyLicious menu, is served with a green salad instead of French fries (it’s a start).
Denny’s
DON’T Fried Cheese Melt w/ Fries: 1,260 Calories, 21g of saturated fat
DO 6-Piece Pancake Puppies: 400 Calories, 0g of saturated fat
This dish from Denny’s, literally, consists of deep-fried cheese, smothered in another cheese, and grilled between bread. Not to mention, the entire thing is covered in a thick marinara sauce and accompanied with oily French fries. Overall, the dish is so ridiculously fattening that CBS News called it the “latest extreme meal” back in 2010. Usually ordered as an appetizer, this dish has more fat than is required for an entrée. For the sake of common health sense, disregard the Fried Cheese Melt and pick the 6-piece Pancake Puppies (a much more sensible option) instead. It will not be a choice to regret.
Olive Garden
DON’T Chicken & Shrimp Carbonara: 1,440 Calories, 38g of saturated fat
DO Seafood Brodetto: 480 Calories, 3g of saturated fat
Though not at the top of any lists for its outrageous menu options, Olive Garden has its own select dishes that surpass the 1,000 Calories mark. Among them is the popular Chicken & Shrimp Carbonara plate, which features a signature, rich sauce and both chicken and shrimp to pointlessly boost the fat content of the dish. Carbonara dishes (such as the one on The Cheesecake Factory’s menu) are typically concentrated in fat and are thus to be avoided. Skip the Carbonara and order the Seafood Brodetto, a stew-type dish that also has a delicious helping of shrimp.
Applebee’s
DON’T Provolone-Stuffed Meatballs w/ Fettuccine & Garlic Bread: 1,520 Calories, 43g of saturated fat
DO Creamy Parmesan Chicken: 470 Calories, 13g of saturated Fat
Another dish on the Xtreme Eating Awards list, the Provolone-Stuffed Meatballs from Applebee’s needlessly sports both a marinara and a Parmesan cream sauce, in addition to very unnecessary cheese stuffing in each meatball. According to ABC News, Applebee’s is the only restaurant company in the country that has several of its menu options endorsed by Weight Watchers, a renowned program that promotes easier means of losing weight. One of their Weight Watchers options is the Creamy Parmesan Chicken, a much healthier choice that is less likely to make your arteries scream.
[Images by Grant Cochrane & Wiangya]
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