Each year Men’s Health puts together a list of the Worst Foods in America, detailing the most calorie-laden, sodium-intense, fatty foods available from popular American restaurants.
The Mayo Clinic recommends the average person have a 2,000 calorie per day diet, consisting of 20 to 35 percent healthy fats and between 1,500 and 2,300mg of sodium.
Even though each person’s actual dietary needs vary according to age, sex, fitness, and health goals, the Worst Foods in America exceed these basic recommendations.
Measuring with Daily Food Recommendations
With almost 1.5 days’ worth of calories, the Worst Food in America is Cheesecake Factory’s Bistro Shrimp Pasta at 2,727 calories, 78g saturated fat, and 1,737mg sodium.
The daily portion of our diets consisting of healthy sources of fat is 20 to 35 percent, or 44 to 78g. Compare that to the winner for the Worst Appetizer: Outback Steakhouse Kookaburra Wings offers 2,145 calories, 185g of fat—75g saturated—and 3,711mg of sodium.
The average person requires between 1,500 to 2,300mg per day, and some people with health issues—like high blood pressure—require less. PF Chang’s Double Pan-Fried Noodles Combo won the Worst Chinese Entree, coming in at 1,820 calories, 84g fat—8g saturated and 3.5g trans—and an astonishing 7,692mg of sodium.
Smorgasbord of the Worst Foods in America
It’s easy for people to see the word “vegetarian” and assume the meal is full of vitamins and low in calories. The Blimpie Special Vegetarian sandwich was named the Worst “Healthy” Sandwich of 2010, as it contains 1,180 calories, 59g of fat—18g of that saturated—and 3,540mg of sodium.
Breakfast is the first opportunity to start your day off with a nutritious and energy-dense meal. Worst Fast Food Breakfast winner, Hardee’s Loaded Biscuit ‘n Gravy with Large Hash Rounds meal delivers 1,530 calories, 110g of fat—26g saturated—and 3,020mg of sodium. Eating this will leave consumers feeling sluggish.
Rounding Out the List
The remaining Men’s Health Magazine’s Worst Foods in America are:
- Worst Ribs: Outback Steakhouse’s Full Baby Back Ribs (2,012 calories, 160g fat (59g saturated), 2,600mg sodium)
- Worst Burger: Denny’s Smokin’ Q Three Pack (2,020 calories, 110g fat (22g saturated, 3g trans), 3,570mg sodium)
- Worst Drink: Cold Stone Creamery PB&C Shake (2,030 calories, 131g fat (68g saturated, 2.5g trans))
- Worst Breakfast: IHOP “Big” Country Breakfast (2,040 calories, 55g saturated fat, 4,500mg sodium)
- Worst Mexican Entree: Baja Fresh Charbroiled Steak Nachos (2,120 calories
118g fat (44g saturated, 4.5g trans), 2,990mg sodium)
- Worst Pizza: Uno Chicago Individual Grill Classic Deep Dish Pizza (2,310 calories, 165g fat (54g saturated), 4,920mg sodium)
- Worst Chicken Entree: Cheesecake Factory Crispy Chicken Costoletta (2,494 calories, 85g saturated fat, 1,677mg sodium)
- Worst Dessert: Uno Chicago Grill Mega-Sized Deep Dish Sundae (2,800 calories
136g fat (72g saturated)) - Worst Kids’ Meal: California Pizza Kitchen Kids Curly Mac ‘n’ Cheese (1,038 calories, 38g saturated fat, 1,651mg sodium)
- Worst Supermarket Meal: Stouffer’s White Meat Chicken Pot Pie (1,160 calories, 66g fat (26g saturated), 1,780mg sodium)
- Worst Sandwich: Cheesecake Factory Grilled Shrimp and Bacon Club (1,746 calories, 28g saturated fat, 2,306mg sodium)
- Worst Salad: TGI Friday’s Santa Fe Chopped Salad (1,800 calories)
- Worst Fast Food Burger: Wendy’s Triple Baconator (1,350 calories, 90g fat (40g saturated, 3.5g trans), 2,780mg sodium)
- Worst Side: Five Guys Large Fries (1,464 calories, 71g fat (14g saturated), 213mg sodium)
- Worst Food Hybrid: Domino’s Chicken Carbonara Breadbowl Pasta (1,480 calories, 56g fat (24g saturated), 2,220mg sodium)
Anyone with specific nutritional concerns should discuss their situation with a certified nutritionist or their physician.
