pasta dish at Cheesecake Factory with more than 3,000 calories--or more than a day and a half of the recommended caloric intake for an average adult-is among the headliners on this year's Xtreme eating more unhealthy meals at chain restaurants of the United States.
The Center for Science in the public interest, a nonprofit group that promotes consumer oriented healthier eating, compiles a list of "food porn" to alert consumers to menu items with amazing levels of calories, saturated fat, sugar or sodium.
"You might think that the size of their profits depended on them by increasing the size of your pants," CSPI Executive Director Michael Jacobson said Xtreme winners eat. The list was published on Wednesday.
CSPI has for years used the "prizes" to raise public awareness and support for the dissemination of calories on restaurant menus--something that big chains soon will be required to make under the health care reform bill of the United States of the drum.
Bistro shrimp Cheesecake Factory Pasta, made with butter and cream sauce and topped with battered, fried shrimps, has 3,120 calories and 89 grams of saturated fat and 1,090 milligrams sodium, says CSPI, which said it confirmed with nutritional data listed companies.
Cheesecake Factory said that plate has 3,020, calories 79 grams of saturated fat and milligrams sodium 1,076.
Typical adults are advised to consume no more than 20 grams of saturated fat and 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day.
"It's like eating a Tiramisu as well as three tiers of Olive Garden Lasagna classico dinner," says CSPI. Some in the food and beverage industries have dubbed the Group of Washington the "food police".
More than a third of Americans are obese and about 10 percent of the nation's health-care Bill are diseases related to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and hypertension, according to the Organization for economic cooperation and development.
Food and beverage industries of the country are under increasing pressure from consumer, health and parenting groups to offer healthier alternatives.
Restaurant companies say their job is to give consumers the choices. Many, including Cheesecake Factory, have lower caloric content sections in their menus alongside the indulgent offerings.
Cheesecake Factory is known for its large portions and variety of cheesecakes-many of which weighs about 1,000 calories per slice.
Regular showings on the list makes Xtreme eating, but since August 2011 the has promoted his "SkinnyLicious" from the menu of appetizers with 590 calories or less, including salmon rolls and a salad of PEAR and endive.
Jayne Hurley, CSPI's senior nutritionist and author of Xtreme eating report this year said that these lower-calorie items should be recategorized as "normal" rather than "diet".
"Is the constant stream of high calorie foods that sabotage your diet not only for the day, but throughout the week," said Hurley.
"The Cheesecake Factory has always been about choices. Many of our guests come in and wants to celebrate and not be concerned with calories, "Donald Evans, chief marketing officer of the company, said in a statement.
Evans also said Cheesecake Factory diners often share their dishes or take leftovers home.
Other winners Xtreme eating for 2013 are:
-Johnny Rockets double Burger with Cheddar Bacon 1,770 calories, 50 grams of saturated fat and 2,380 milligrams of sodium. For comparison, three quarter Pounders with cheese from McDonald have 1,570 calories.
-Cheesecake Factory chop crispy chicken with 2,610 89 calories, grams of saturated fat and milligrams sodium 2,720. CSPI says a full 12-piece bucket of KFC original recipe fried chicken has about the same number of calories but less than half the saturated fat. Cheesecake Factory told Reuters that dish has 2,560 calories, 86 grams of saturated fat and milligrams sodium 2,767.
-Smoothie King Peanut Power Plus grape Smoothie, which includes peanut butter, bananas, sugar and grape juice. A 40-ounce, large size of this drink has 1,460 calories and 22 teaspoons of sugar added over 29 teaspoons sugar biofilters.
Dietary guidelines of the Government of the United States for Americans recommends that women consume no more than 6 teaspoons of added sugars a day and men who consume no more than nine.
-Chocolate Zuccotto Cake from Maggiano's Little Italy. A slice weighs nearly a pound and has 1,820 calories, 62 grams of saturated fat and 26 teaspoons of sugar added-or 15 Hostess Ho Hos, CSPI said. .
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