WASHINGTON — Picture this: You head out to a dinner with family at a casual sit-down restaurant. You get seated, the server comes and you order … 30 chicken McNuggets and five Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts?
Of course, most of us wouldn’t dream of such a gut-busting meal. But in terms of calories, saturated fat and sodium levels, many popular restaurant meals are no better, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
The group released its “Xtreme Eating Awards” Thursday, which draws attention to restaurant dishes that contain almost a full-day’s recommended calories — and often blow past the recommended levels of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar.
The group has issued the “Xtreme Eating Awards” since 2007. This was the first year that the Food and Drug Administration started requiring restaurants to post calories counts on menus and menu boards under the 2010 Affordable Care Act.
“Perhaps now that calories are on the menu for all to see, America’s chain restaurants will compete to create healthier dishes, rather than simply mashing up two or more junk foods,” said Lindsay Moyer, a senior nutritionist with the group.
Scroll through the gallery to see some of the most “Xtreme” meals.
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