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Nine meals that will make you huge

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Born in Austin, Matthew left soon thereafter and finally made it back after years of paying his penance wandering the earth. Before coming to Austin360, Matthew co-edited Austinist.com, worked as an advertising copywriter and led tours of the Roman Forum, among other things.

When not busy pounding away on his keyboard, he can be found at book readings, concerts, gelaterias, pizza joints, Barton Springs, movie theaters, the golf course, or home with a book. The M.O. gives readers a little insight into the world of this man without a plan.

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Home > The M.O. > Archives > 2010 > May > 26 > Entry

By Matthew Odam | Wednesday, May 26, 2010, 11:45 AM

Over the past decade, it seems there has been a concentrated effort to make more conscious decisions about what we put in our body. Books and movies like “The Omnivore’s Dilemma,” “Fast Food Nation,” and “Food Inc.” have increased our awareness about what we’re eating and how it affects us. But that is not to say that unhealthy is going the way of the dinosaur. Exhibit A: KFC’s much discussed Double Down sandwich.

As further evidence that not all restaurants are cowering in the face of the growing hunger for nutritional information, The Center for Science in the Public Interest yesterday announced its annual “Xtreme Eating Awards.” “Awards” is a bit of a misnomer here. Below are the 12 meals listed, according to USA Today. While the restaurants on the list obviously offer some healthy choices, there is no arguing that the meals mentioned here represent extreme hazards to your health. Five of the seven restaurants listed have locations in Austin, with four of those taking up real estate at the Arboretum, which apparently means Fat House in Latin.

From the center’s Nutrition Action Healthletter as repurposed for USA Today:

The Cheesecake Factory’s Pasta Carbonara with Chicken, which, in addition to the 2,500 calories, has 85 grams of saturated fat. That’s more saturated fat than a person should consume in four days, Liebman says. The dish has four cups of white-flour pasta, smoked bacon, chicken, and Parmesan cream and butter sauce.
Five Guys’ Bacon Cheeseburger without toppings, 920 calories and 30 grams of saturated fat. That’s like two McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, Liebman says. A large order of Five Guys’ french fries, 1,460 calories — about triple the calories of a large order of fries at McDonald’s. The bacon cheeseburger and fries tally 2,380 calories.

P.F. Chang’s Double Pan-Fried Noodles Combo, 1,820 calories, 7,690 milligrams of sodium.

Bob Evans’ Cinnamon Cream Stacked and Stuffed Hotcakes, 1,380 calories and 27 grams of saturated fat and 7 grams of trans fat. A fourth of a cup (about 4 tablespoons) of syrup is another 200 calories.

California Pizza Kitchen Tostada Pizza with Grilled Steak, 1,680 calories, 32 grams of saturated fat and 3,300 milligrams of sodium.

California Pizza Kitchen’s Pesto Cream Penne, 1,350 calories, 49 grams of saturated fat and 1,920 milligrams of sodium.

Chevys’ Crab and Shrimp Quesadilla, 1,790 calories, 63 grams of saturated fat and 3,440 milligrams of sodium.

Outback Steakhouse New Zealand Rack of Lamb with garlic mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables, 1,820 calories, 80 grams of saturated fat and 2,600 milligrams of sodium.

The Cheesecake Factory Chocolate Tower Truffle Cake, 1,670 calories and 48 grams of saturated fat. “A tower of any food is rarely a good idea,” the center’s newsletter says.

Don’t tell the The Center for Science in the Public Interest about Gourdough’s or the burger on a doughnut at The Gibson.

Since I’m such a fair and balanced guy, I will point out a few things these restaurants offer that actually seem pretty healthy.

P.F. Chang’s Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps: 140 calories, 1 gram of saturated fat and 530 miligrams of sodium.

California Pizza Kitchen’s Asparagus and Arugula Salad: 173 calories, 2 grams of saturated fat, 442 milligrams of sodium.

Five Guys Burgers’ Veggie Sandwich: 440 calories, 6 grams of saturated fat and 1040 milligrams of sodium. OK, they never claimed to be health food.

The Cheescake Factory: They don’t seem to have nutritional information readily available on their 20-page online menu, but I imagine the Weight Management Asian Chicken Salad with Grilled Chicken, Romaine, Snow Peas, Carrots, Bean Sprouts, Green Onions, Crispy Noodles, Almonds and Sesame Seeds Served with a Low-Cal Sesame-Soy Dressing couldn’t be all that bad for you.

After tooling around their Web site a bit, it’s obvious The Center for Science in the Public Interest is one of those places that like to make lists. Check out their list of 5 Overrated & Underrated Foods and 10 Worst and Best Foods.

Via Gawker

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By cash

May 26, 2010 1:15 PM | Link to this

wow - these restaurants are in Austin? they must be up north or in a shopping mall…..