I’ve written a couple of posts on my super foods so, in the sense of being fair and balanced, I thought I’d write one from the other end of the spectrum.  This list (and data) is courtesy of Men’s Health but the commentary is all mine.

Going out to eat and eating healthy is an extremely difficult thing to do if you aren’t prepared.  You really don’t know what ingredients they are using in their recipes.  Some of the menu selections sure sound harmless enough, right?  Maybe this list will be an eye opener and will help you make smart decisions.  Be prepared to be shocked and awed.

10.  Ruby Tuesday Bella Turkey Burger

1,145 calories   71 g fat   56 g carbs

You’re trying to be good and you see ‘turkey burger’ on the menu.  It’s gotta be healthy, right!  Never underestimate the ability of a restaurant to mess up a good thing.  Amazing.

9.  On the Border Grande Taco Salad with Taco Beef

1,450 calories   102 g fat   78 g carbs   2,410 mg sodium

But it’s a salad!!!!  1450 calories in a salad?  Really?  You better believe it.  Restaurant salads are an easy trap to fall into.  Dave’s Tip:  Don’t go for the fancy stuff.  Look for the simple salads (like a grilled chicken salad) and order the dressing on the side.  Don’t pour the dressing over your salad.  Dip your fork in the salad dressing and then into the salad itself.  In many cases, the dressings are the downfall.

8.  Quizno’s Classic Italian (large)

1,510 calories   82 g fat   3,750 mg sodium   106 g carbs

Subway it ain’t!  I bet Jared didn’t eat this monster.  Thanks to Jared, many people think sub shops are a healthier option.  I’m not really blaming Jared…but since he’s not here and most likely won’t read this then…yeah, ok, I’m blaming Jared.  Some choose the healthier “wraps” in these places.  Wraps really aren’t that much better than bread!

7.  Carl’s Jr. (Hardees) Double Six Dollar Burger

1,520 calories   111 g fat

This is a shining example of people wanting more for less.  The Six Dollar Burger doesn’t cost six dollars but it sure contains the calories and fat of one.  Just think of the calories you would consume if you included fries and a Coke! 

6.  Chili’s Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream

1,600 calories   78 g fat   215 g carbs

I have to be honest.  I thought the worst dessert on the Men’s Health list would be a little worse but this is plenty bad!  It’s OK to indulge your sweet tooth every now and then.  My suggestion is to do this at home with ingredients you can control.

5.  Ruby Tuesday’s Colossal Burger

1,940 calories   141 g fat

I wonder…does “Colossal” refer to the size or the amount of calories in this humdinger?  I’m sure it tastes good but is it worth it?  I just can’t even comprehend how you would even go about turning a hamburger into this button busting meal.  As with the Carl’s Junior burger…imagine if you consumed a drink and fries!

4.  Chili’s Honey Chipotle Crispers with Chipotle Sauce

2,040 calories   99 g fat   240 g carbs

Now we’ve passed the 2000 calorie mark.  To create an entree that does that is quite the feat!  2000 calories should be a day’s worth of calories for most people.  And, again, this is chicken!  Don’t let the “good foods” in these menus fool you.

3.  Macaroni Grill Spaghetti and Meatballs with Meat Sauce

2,430 calories   128 g fat   207 g carbs   5,290 mg sodium

To me, this is the biggest shocker on the list.  After all, it’s just spaghetti and meatballs.  How they managed to cram this type of nutritional content into it is beyond me.  I am just at a loss of words…which is rare.

2.  Chili’s Awesome Blossom

2,710 calories 203 g fat 194 g carbs 6,360 mg sodium

This one isn’t really surprising.  It’s a deep fried onion.  It never fails to amaze me how they can ruin a perfectly healthy food.  When something comes to your table that is dripping in grease…really, do I even need to say it?

1.  On the Border Stacked Border Nachos

2,740 calories   166 g fat   191 g carbs   5,280 mg sodium

I think I gained a couple of pounds just looking at the nutritional content of the example of over indulgence.  I wonder if they broke a sweat trying to reach 3000 calories?  How much of a sweat would you have to break to work it off?

Did any of these shock you?  Do you know of any others that should be on this list?  Please leave them in the comments below (no registration required).