The Center for Science in the Public Interest has released the results of their "Xtreme Eating Awards," which reveal Red Lobster is the current "winner" for highest calorie meal.
Red Lobster's "Create Your Own Combination" was found to have 2,710 calories and 6,530 milligrams (four days' worth) of sodium if the consumer chose "the Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp, Walt's Favorite Shrimp, and Shrimp Linguine Alfredo to go with the Caesar salad, French fries, and one Cheddar Bay Biscuit." If a margarita, or "Lobsterita," was consumed with this meal, the calorie count jumped to a staggering 3,600 calories.
"This nutritional shipwreck from Red Lobster exemplifies the kind of gargantuan restaurant meal that promotes obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related diseases," said CSPI registered dietitian Paige Einstein. "If this meal were unusual, that would be one thing, but America's chain restaurants are serving up 2,000-calorie breakfasts, 2,000-calorie lunches, 2,000-calorie dinners, and 2,000-calorie desserts left and right. Abnormal is the new normal."
Runners up for worst meals in America included: IHOP's Chorizo Fiesta Omelette, which comes with three buttermilk pancakes and comes in at 1,990 calories and 42 grams of fat; Dickey's Barbecue Pit's 3 Meat Plate with " Polish sausage, pork ribs, and beef brisket and sides of fried Onion Tanglers and mac and cheese, plus the free roll, pickles, onions, and a 32-ounce (the only size offered) sweet tea," and one half-cup from the unlimited ice cream bar at 2,500 calories, 49 grams of fat, and 4,700 milligrams of sodium; Louisiana Chicken Pasta from The Cheesecake Factory, at 2,370 calories, 80 grams of saturated fat; and 2,370 milligrams of sodium; A large Pineapple Upside Down Master Blast from Sonic, at 2,020 calories, 61 grams of saturated fat, and about 29 teaspoons of added sugar; and Steak 'n Shake's 7x7 Steakburger 'n Fries, coming in at 2,530 calories, 68 grams of saturated fat, over 5,000 milligrams of sodium, and 26 teaspoons of added sugar.
"It's not enough to have one or two patties on a burger, or one or two slices of cheese; now we're seeing seven patties and seven slices of cheese on a burger," Einstein said. "With our burgers getting bigger and bigger, it's no surprise that many of our waistlines are, too."
Te full findings were published in CSPI's Nutrition Action Healthletter.
