The 9 Unhealthiest Chain Restaurant Meals In America

According to The Center for Science in the Public’s Interest, these are the worst of the worst in mass-produced meals.

Fast food is notoriously unhealthy, but what about meals from dine-in restaurants? Certain chains are going the extra mile to serve fresh, healthy fare to conscious consumers, but some are still sticking with poor quality ingredients and huge portion sizes.

For those addicted to the Standard American way of life, the latter might seem ideal when hungry for grub. Long-term, however, high sodium, low-quality, and high-fat diets are detrimental to one’s health. 

To get an idea of some of the worst chain restaurant meals out there, we’re sharing a list compiled by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). As TakePart reports, every year, the center does some research on the unhealthiest chain restaurant meals in the nation.

From milkshakes to steak dinners, the following meals all have one thing in common: “a total disregard for the obesity epidemic and the coming diabetes tsunami,” says CSPI.

By knowing which meals and chains to avoid, however, you can be more informed and make wiser decisions when eating out. 

IHOP: Chorizo Fiesta Omelette and Pancakes

Credit: TripAdvisor

Calories: 1,990
Sodium: 4,840 milligrams
Saturated fat: 42 grams

If you indulge in this breakfast, you’re consuming nearly 2,000 calories – what the average man or woman needs in a day. The 1,300 calorie, sausage-filled omelet and 690 extra calories of pancakes and syrup makes this a meal you want to avoid when eating out. 

Dickey’s BBQ Pit: 3 Meat Plate

Credit: CNN

Calories: 2,500
Sodium: 4,700 milligrams
Saturated fat: 49 grams

The Dallas-based chain is well known for its humungous portions of meat. With more than 400 locations, it’s likely one of the reasons ‘everything is bigger in Texas’. The restaurant also gives out free rolls with all entrees and has a free soft-serve ice cream dispenser parked in the middle of each restaurant.

Outback Steakhouse: Herb-Roasted Prime Rib Dinner

Credit: TripAdvisor

Calories: 2,400
Sodium: 3,560 milligrams
Saturated fat: 71 grams

The recommended portion of meat for one meal is about 4-5 oz, which is about the size of a deck of cards or the palm of your hand. To consume more than a pound of meat in one sitting is wholly unreasonable. At Outback, not only is a pound a standard order for fat-marbled prime rib, it comes with a baked potato, a ranch-soaked salad, and complimentary rolls.

The Cheesecake Factory: Louisiana Chicken Pasta

Credit: dineatjoes.com

Calories: 2,370
Sodium: 2,370 milligrams
Saturated fat: 80 grams

You can get much more than cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory. Unfortunately, most offerings are still high in calories, fat, and sodium. The 24-ounce plate of bowtie pasta is served with a gargantuan portion of Parmesan-crusted chicken and a large amount of Spicy New Orleans Sauce.

CSPI reports that this meal is the caloric equivalent of two bowls of Olive Garden fettuccine Alfredo plus two breadsticks.

Sonic: Large Pineapple Upside-Down Master Blaster

Credit: TakePart

Calories: 2,020
Saturated fat: 61 grams
Trans fat: 4.5 grams

Oh, America. This massive dessert contains over 2,000 calories, yet is expected to be consumed after a fulfilling and balanced pile of food. 

Are you wondering where the two days’ worth of trans fat is coming from? It’s from the pie crust whirred into the milkshake, named after a cake.

Red Lobster: Create Your Own Combo (Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp, Walt’s Favorite, Linguine Alfredo)

Credit: Eater.com

Calories: 2,710
Sodium: 6,530 milligrams (four days’ worth)
Saturated fat: 37 grams

It’s easy to overdo the federal recommendation to consume fish twice a week at a restaurant like this. And, when smothered in cheese, seafood becomes less nutritious than if it were baked and served with a fresh leafy green salad with an herb-olive oil vinaigrette.

Uno Pizzeria and Grill: 2 for $12 Pick and Choose (Chicago Classic Deep Dish Pizza and Baked Ziti With Sausage)

Credit: eonline.com

Calories: 2,190
Sodium: 5,420 milligrams
Saturated fat: 49 grams

Part of America’s obesity problem stems from its rampant marketing. People are encouraged to purchase – and, in effect, consume – more, more, and more. 

Not all fare is created equally, especially when you consider the portion sizes and calories in two whole pizzas.

The Cheesecake Factory: Warm Apple Crisp

Credit: datades.com

Calories: 1,740
Saturated fat: 48 grams
Added sugar: 32 teaspoons

Don’t be fooled! There might be fruit in the name of this dessert, but it is far from healthy. Covered in ice cream, drizzled with caramel and finished with whipped topping, you’d be better off, calorically speaking, consuming two slices of cheesecake for dessert than eating a whole bucket-size portion of sugared-up fruit.

Steak ’n Shake: 7×7 Steakburger, Fries, and Chocolate Fudge Brownie Milkshake

Credit: firstwefeast.com

Calories: 2,530
Sodium: 5,060 milligrams
Saturated fat: 68 grams

For some reason, seven patties and seven slices of cheese seemed like a good idea…

It will always be best to create the majority of your meals in the sanctuary of your own home using fresh, wholesome, and predominantly plant-based ingredients. As was previously reported, it is also more economical to do so.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article. If you found this information helpful, please share it with your friends and family. Your support in our endeavor of sharing free information would be much appreciated.

Follow us on Facebook to stay updated with what's going Viral in the Alternative News scene. https://www.facebook.com/ViralAlternativeNews

This article (The 9 Unhealthiest Chain Restaurant Meals In America) is free and open source. You have permission to republish this article under a Creative Commons license with attribution to the author and TrueActivist.com

This Is What A Big Mac Does To Your Body Within One Hour Of Eating It

One Big Mac can't hurt, right? Wrong. The iconic burger dehydrates you, raises your blood sugar, and makes you feel hungry just 40 minutes after eating it.

You’ve heard a million times that fast food is horrible for your health… But how bad can a burger such as the Big Mac be?

According to an infographic created by Fast Food Menu Price, pretty darn bad.

Among other things, the iconic burger dehydrates you, raises your blood sugar, and makes you feel hungry just 40 minutes after eating it. Just take a look at the infographic below:

Here’s what you can expect:

In the first 10 minutes: The Big Mac (and its 540 calories) raises your blood sugar to abnormal levels. Junk food like the Big Mac triggers your brain’s reward system by releasing “feel-good” chemicals, such as the neurotransmitter dopamine. The process works in a similar way to the reaction you’d get after taking a drug like cocaine and raises the likelihood of compulsive eating.

After 20 minutes: The Big Mac’s bun has high levels of high-fructose corn syrup and sodium — both of which are addictive and make your body crave more.

After 30 minutes: The burger’s 970 milligrams of sodium can cause dehydration. The symptoms of dehydration are similar to those of hunger, tricking you into thinking you want more food. Your kidneys have trouble eliminating the salt, and your heart has to work faster to pump blood through your veins. This can cause high blood pressure and can ultimately lead to heart disease and stroke.

After 40 minutes: You start to feel hungry again. When you eat a high-calorie meal, your body’s insulin response can bring down your glucose levels, causing you to want to eat more. The bun’s high-fructose corn syrup is quickly absorbed by your GI tract, creating insulin spikes and even bigger hunger pangs.

After 60 minutes: Your body typically takes 24 to 72 hours to digest food, but burgers can take more time because they are greasier. The Big Mac can take more than three days to fully digest.

Some controversy does exist on the facts presented, but it is agreed that overall, a Big Mac should never be considered to be a ‘health food.’ And really, just take a look at the ingredients in a Big Mac. 

Certified dietitian nutritionist Lisa Moskovitz, CEO of NewYork Nutrition Group, told Yahoo Health: 

“Everyone’s body has a different blood sugar and insulin response. Because there is also a significant amount of fat in a Big Mac, it may slow down the conversion of the carbs into glucose that travel through the blood stream.”

Source IFLScience agrees (though does think some facts are exaggerated) and notes that the amount of sodium, poor quality carbohydrates (white bread, high-fructose corn syrup), and high amount of fat are anything but healthy.

Simply put, a Big Mac is not a nutritious food, and should never be mistaken as such. If you or someone you know indulges in the calorie-dense frankenfood often, perhaps it’s time to re-think that habit. Plenty of healthy alternatives exist, and plant-based restaurants are popping up everywhere, offering delicious, more nutritious fare at similar prices.

What are your thoughts? Comment below and share this article! 

Stick this code on the bottom just above sources in HTML

Thanks for taking the time to read this article. If you found this information helpful, please share it with your friends and family. Your support in our endeavor of sharing free information would be much appreciated.

Follow us on Facebook to stay updated with what's going Viral in the Alternative News scene. https://www.facebook.com/ViralAlternativeNews

This article (This Is What A Big Mac Does To Your Body Within One Hour Of Eating It ) is free and open source. You have permission to republish this article under a Creative Commons license with attribution to the author and TrueActivist.com

Himalayan Salt Has Incredible Health Benefits

Image Credit: Wikimedia

Arguably the best, most readily available salt that one can purchase in the world today is Himalayan salt which has been formed over millions and millions of years in the Himalayas. There are 118 elements known to science and Himalayan salt is said to contain 84 in total. It contains Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium, iodine, zinc, and iron amongst others.

Furthermore, despite sodium having such a poor reputation because of processed foods, unprocessed sodium is absolutely vital to our health. It helps regulate blood pressure, heart function and nerve transmissions amongst other things.



For more info you can check out this video from Dr. Joseph Mercola on the health benefits of Himalayan salt below:

Purchasing advice

Himalayan salt can be purchased in health food stores or online, and is usually sold as fine or coarse grains. Fine-grained Himalayan salt is recommend, since the small, unobtrusive crystals are far easier to incorporate into most meals. When purchasing your salt, remember to check that it is pink in color; this indicates that the salt is dense in minerals.

Sources for this article include:
 
http://www.atthemeadow.com
http://www.smartlivingnetwork.com
http://science.naturalnews.com/salt.html
 
About the author:
 
Michael Ravensthorpe is an independent writer whose research interests include nutrition, alternative medicine, and bushcraft. He is the creator of the website, Spiritfoods, through which he promotes the world’s healthiest foods.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/043692_Himalayan_salt_detoxify_mineral_deficiency.html#ixzz3TiX4pbnt

Thanks for taking the time to read this article. If you found this information helpful, please share it with your friends and family. Your support in our endeavor of sharing free information would be much appreciated. Follow us on Facebook to stay updated with what's going Viral in the Alternative News scene. https://www.facebook.com/ViralAlternativeNews