Posted July 28, 2011
A burger topped with smoked pork belly and fried eggs. Meatballs stuffed with provolone. Grilled cheese sandwiches stuffed with deep-fried mozzarella sticks.
These are some of the “dishonorees” in the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s latest Xtreme Eating Awards, released Tuesday.
“If Americans are feeling a little more full when lumbering out of the Cheesecake Factory, Applebee’s, Denny’s and other chains, it’s not in their heads,” Bonnie Liebman, the center’s nutrition director, said in a statement.
The consumer organization called out locally based Applebee’s for “openly bragging” about its new “stacked, stuffed and topped” menu.
In a statement, Applebee’s spokeswoman Nancy Mays said the chain offered a variety of options, including an under-550-calories menu and Weight Watchers-endorsed entrees.
“Applebee’s guests want a variety of options, and with access to nutritional information online and in the restaurant they can make the most appropriate choices for themselves,” Mays said.
According to the center, a typical eater should have about 2,000 calories, 20 grams of saturated fat and 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day, the center says.
A couple of examples from the report:
–Denny’s Fried Cheese Melt: Four fried mozzarella sticks and melted American cheese grilled between two slices of sourdough bread, with a side of french fries and marinara sauce for 1,260 calories, 21 grams of saturated fat and 3,010 milligrams of sodium (more than two days’ worth).
In a statement, Denny’s spokesman John Dillon said the chain offered a variety of menu items, including healthy, low-calorie meals.
“In fact, we recently launched a new Fit Fare menu that includes four different types of lighter options,” Dillon said.
–Cold Stone Creamery PB&C Shake: Even people eating 1,500-calorie burgers wouldn’t really expect their shakes to have 2,000 calories, the center says. A 24-ounce “Gotta Have It” size shake of peanut butter, chocolate ice cream, and milk has more than a day’s calorie allotment at 2,010 calories and 3 1/2 days’ worth of saturated fat (68 grams).
Officials with Cold Stone could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
The Food and Drug Administration is completing new rules that would put these calorie counts on the menu.
To reach Joyce Smith, call 816-234-4692 or send email to jsmith@kcstar.com. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook at JoyceKC.
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