Eat This, Not That

I love receiving the Men's Health - Eat This, Not That newsletter. The aim of the newsletter is to show the fat and calories in foods at chain restaurants. I knew deep down that many of my favorite restaurant foods were bad for my health, but not only does this newsletter confirm it, it will likely contain a few shockers. Ordering what may seem like a healthy food choice at a restaurant chain, and you could still accidentally down a day's worth of calories. However, the best part about this list is that it also recommends healthier alternatives. While cooking for yourself is always best, because you know exactly what you are putting into your meal, for many of us, this is a luxury. So without further ado, here is the 2009 top 20 worst foods...egads!

The 20 Worst Foods in America 2009 : Avoid these 20 industrial-strength calorie bombs this year

1. The Worst Food in America of 2009

Baskin Robbins Large Heath Bar Shake
2,310 calories
108 g fat (64 g saturated fat, 2.5 g trans fats)
266 g sugars

Let's look at America's Worst Food in numbers:
73: The number of ingredients that go into this milkshake.
66: The number of teaspoons of sugar this drink contains.
11: The number of Heath Bars you would have to eat to equal the number of calories found in one Baskin Robbins Large Heath Bar Shake.
12: The average number of minutes it takes to consume this drink.
240: The number of minutes you'd need to spend on a treadmill, running at a moderate pace, to burn it off.

Eat This Instead! (and ask for two spoons)
2-Scoop Hot fudge Sundae
Chocolate and Vanilla
530 calories29 g fat (19 g saturated fat)
52 g sugars

2. Worst Pasta of 2009

Romano’s Macaroni Grill Spaghetti and Meatballs with Meat Sauce
2,430 calories

Eat This Instead!
Simple Salmon
590 calories

3. Worst Starter of 2009

Uno Chicago Grill Pizza Skins (full order)
2,400 calories
155 g fat (50 g saturated)
3,600 mg sodium

Eat This Instead!
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
390 calories

4. Worst Pizza of 2009

Uno Chicago Grill Chicago Classic Deep Dish Pizza
2,310 calories

Eat This Instead!
Cheese and Tomato Flatbread Pizza (individual)and a House Side Saladwith Fat-Free Vinaigrette
755 calories

5. Worst Ribs of 2009

Outback Steakhouse Baby Back Ribs (full rack)
2,260 calories(no other nutritional information available)

Eat This Instead!Prime Minister’s Prime Rib with Fresh Veggies and Sweet Potato
730 calories

6. Worst Chicken Entrée of 2009

Romano’s Macaroni Grill Primo Chicken Parmesan
2,220 calories

Eat This Instead!
Pollo Magro
330 calories

13. Worst Fish Entrée of 2009

Outback Steakhouse Atlantic Salmon (9 oz)
1,640 calories(no other nutritional information available)

15. Worst Salad of 2009

T.G.I. Fridays Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad
1,360 calories
Fat: unknown (The company refuses to disclose the nutritional content of the food they’re serving you.)
Sodium: unknown

18. Worst "Healthy" Sandwich of 2009

Blimpie Veggie Supreme (12”)
1,106 calories

Go to the article to see the rest of these scary foods and avoid them at all costs! Register for the newsletter, it's a great resource and they don't bombard you with other useless information. Happy New Year! I wish you all good health!