Men's Health: The 20 Worst Foods in America

[El Pinko]

http://www.menshealth.com/eatthis/20worst.html


The 20 Worst Foods in America

The U.S. food industry has declared war on your waistline. Here's how to disarm its weapons of mass inflation
By: Matt Goulding


Sure, a turkey burger sounds healthy. But is it, really? Not if you order the Bella from Ruby Tuesday, which packs a whopping 1,145 calories. (And yes, that's before a side of fries.)


To further enlighten you on the prevalence of preposterous portions, we spent months analyzing menus, nutrition labels, and ingredient lists to identify the food industry's worst offenders. Our primary criterion? Sheer caloric impact. After all, it's the top cause of weight gain and the health problems that accompany it. (As you read, keep in mind that 2,500 calories a day is a reasonable intake for the average guy.) We also factored in other key nutritional data, such as excessive carbohydrates and fat, added sugars, trans fats, and sodium. The result is our first annual list of the worst foods in America.


1. The Worst Food in America

Outback Steakhouse Aussie Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing



2,900 calories
182 g fat 240 g carbs

Even if you split this "starter" with three friends, you'll have downed a dinner's worth of calories before your entree arrives. Follow this up with a steak, sides, and a dessert and you could easily break the 3,500 calorie barrier.





Visit the link to see the rest of the list.


I don't know if I'm grossed out or tempted by those fries. I could be talked into having a few - but a whole plate?

People normally split these things like 5 ways, right?



MSNBC link to same story:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21838237/?pg=1

[GodlessBiker]

1. This will turn out like it did in Sleeper, where all the bad foods actually were good for you.

[aquart]

3. Well, chocolate is a health food now.

Just as St. Woody predicted. I'm sure French fries is just around the corner.

[Squatch]

2. Mens Health is blocked at work...

could you PM me the entire story? This is very interesting.

[El Pinko]

5. Here's a link at msnbc...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21838237/?pg=1

[Squatch]

9. ...

:thumbsup: Thanx!

[Wickerman]

4. Bubbles!

Man, I can't wait for the new season.

Oh, and thanks for the post.

[BOSSHOG]

6. I do enjoy the "worst" foods in America but

I consume them very rarely. I have a weakness for double beef whoppers with cheese but I only had two of them all last year and each time it was a treat, a "reward" if you will. I prefer the "shrooms" at Outback.

With a little self control one can stay under that 2,500 calorie a day level while still feasting on "worst" foods. Okay, maybe a lot of self control.

[originalpckelly]

10. If I eat out...

I make sure not to eat much the rest of the day. It's a strategy that at least has helped me stay around the same weight, and I've actually lost weight while eating some of these things. You just have to know the calorie count and plan with it.

[BOSSHOG]

11. On the other end

I drink 100 ounces of water a day which does a great job of stifling appetites. I pig out about 3 or 4 times a year and am able to maintain my weight, actually losing slightly now.

[meegbear]

7. This should go nicely with their "Rock Solid Abs in Weeks!" article ...

they have in EVERY FUCKING ISSUE.

[originalpckelly]

8. OMFG! 2,900 calories!?

That's more than one person should eat the entire day!

Ironically, fast food like Burger King usually clocks in at 1/2 of recommended daily value. Who knew going there was less awful than a major restaurant?

[negativenihil]

12. mmmm..... outback aussie cheese fries.

SO worth it.

[flvegan]

13. I wouldn't be caught dead eating any of that shit.

However, everything in moderation and to each his/her own. I honestly can't see anyone eating more than 1/5 of that french fry massacre at #1. So once a month might be living a little. Everyone deserves a cheat day now and then.

[Yavapai]

17. Eat any of that shit and you will be caught dead.

Order the Outback Steakhouse Aussie Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing and add a Blooming onion. Then
squeeze the oil out of them for your bio-diesel car ride home it may not all be that bad....

seriously, we did order a Blooming Onion from outback once, and they packed up the remaining 2/3 of it
for home. When we opened it later, it looked like a softball made of lard. Never ordered another.

[AlCzervik]

14. blech, all that food tastes the same, way over salted and all greasy. Salt, worst

ingredient in all this food.

[tridim]

15. Agree with everything except Chipotle.

Because I eat half for lunch and half for dinner.

It's all real food, and only bad if you're eating one of those massive burritos in one sitting.

[rockymountaindem]

21. Time was I used to eat one and still feel hungry

I had the idea that I could eat three in one sitting, because they were so good and usually left me hungry, but I was never dumb enough to actually try that. Times have changed, though, and one burrito is enough for me these days. Surprisingly, I'm a lot slimmer than back in the day when a burrito double-header sounded good :sarcasm:

[frazzled]

16. Split 5 ways? No, but at least two

Never would want to eat those Aussie cheese fries with ranch dressing--but for a treat once, mr. frazzled and I dared to order the duck-fat fries at a local establishment, just to taste (I could feel the cholesterol rising with the first bite): we ordered one small order and split it--and then left half the order behind. Not because it wasn't delicious ... it just wasn't necessary.

We have gotten into the habit of trying almost always to share a single meal when we eat out. It might be sharing a sandwich at Panera (half is really enough for someone our ages--to wit, in our fifties). Or sometimes if we want to go to a fancy sit-down place, we will just sit at the bar and order one appetizer and one entree, and share. It is not only enough for us to eat ... it is also economical! Restaurants with "small plates" (a trend that is growing) are another good way to dine well but not eat too much: 3 small plates divided among two people usually suffices.

I really think it is all about portions, and at most restaurants, especially the chains, the portions are way way too big.

[alfredo]

18. I know I am starting to sound like a broken record, but I highly

recommend "In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollan. His mantra: ""Eat food, not too much, mostly vegetables." He defines food as items that are easily recognized by your grandmother as food.

[eppur_se_muova]

23. He was on "Democracy Now" this morning -- sounded interesting.

I had seen his books, was interested, but not enough to buy. May change my mind now.

rush transcript: http://www.democracynow.org/2008/2/13/in_defense_of_food_author_journalist

His single biggest point, to me, was how much the invention of processed grain (~1860), or "white" flour, which can be stored for much longer periods, led to a series of changes in the Western diet over the next several decades. Definitely an interesting topic.

[alfredo]

25. It's really common sense. I loved his "The botany of Desire."

[lpbk2713]

19. That pic of the Aussie fries makes me want to heave.

In fact after a second look at the pic, I think someone beat me to it.

[rockymountaindem]

20. A Chipotle burrito contains 1200 calories!?!?!?!?!

How can I go on???

Edit:
FUCK!!!

Edit again:
Okay, I think I can breathe again. A naked burrito (i.e. in a bowl) at Qdoba, where I eat now instead of Chipotle, contains only 600 calories. I can live with that :)

[AlCzervik]

22. my daughter got their nutritional info because she is a big fan of Chipotle, i thought

she was going to pass out when she read the calorie content.

[HughBeaumont]

24. Worst steak?

11: Worst steak
Lonestar 20 oz T-bone

1,540 calories

124 g fat


HELL NO!

The worst steak is the Old 96er from The Great Outdoors!

And true to timing, I cannot find a single damned picture of it online. Does NO one do random vidcaps anymore?