Introduction
With the rise of fast food restaurants, it can be difficult to make healthy choices when eating out. Unfortunately, many of the menu items offered at these restaurants are high in calories, fat, and sodium. To help you make better choices, we’ve compiled a list of the 14 unhealthiest restaurant menu items of 2020. From burgers and fries to milkshakes and desserts, these items are sure to pack on the pounds if you’re not careful. Read on to learn more about the worst offenders and how to make healthier choices when dining out.
14 Unhealthiest Restaurant Menu Items of 2020
2020 has been a year of many changes, and the restaurant industry has been no exception. With the pandemic forcing many restaurants to close their doors, the menu items that remain have become even more important. Unfortunately, some of the most popular menu items are also some of the unhealthiest. Here are 14 of the unhealthiest restaurant menu items of 2020.
1. Fried Chicken
Fried chicken is a classic menu item, but it’s also one of the unhealthiest. Fried chicken is high in fat and calories, and it’s usually served with unhealthy sides like mashed potatoes and gravy. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try grilled chicken instead.
2. French Fries
French fries are a staple of many restaurant menus, but they’re also one of the unhealthiest items. French fries are high in fat and calories, and they’re usually cooked in unhealthy oils. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try baked or roasted potatoes instead.
3. Burgers
Burgers are a popular menu item, but they’re also one of the unhealthiest. Burgers are high in fat and calories, and they’re usually served with unhealthy toppings like cheese and bacon. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try a veggie burger or a turkey burger instead.
4. Pizza
Pizza is another popular menu item, but it’s also one of the unhealthiest. Pizza is high in fat and calories, and it’s usually topped with unhealthy ingredients like pepperoni and sausage. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try a veggie pizza or a thin-crust pizza instead.
5. Buffalo Wings
Buffalo wings are a popular menu item, but they’re also one of the unhealthiest. Buffalo wings are high in fat and calories, and they’re usually served with unhealthy sides like ranch dressing and blue cheese. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try grilled chicken wings instead.
6. Nachos
Nachos are a popular menu item, but they’re also one of the unhealthiest. Nachos are high in fat and calories, and they’re usually topped with unhealthy ingredients like cheese and sour cream. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try a veggie nacho platter instead.
7. Tacos
Tacos are a popular menu item, but they’re also one of the unhealthiest. Tacos are high in fat and calories, and they’re usually filled with unhealthy ingredients like cheese and sour cream. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try a veggie taco instead.
8. Fried Fish
Fried fish is a popular menu item, but it’s also one of the unhealthiest. Fried fish is high in fat and calories, and it’s usually served with unhealthy sides like french fries and tartar sauce. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try grilled fish instead.
9. Onion Rings
Onion rings are a popular menu item, but they’re also one of the unhealthiest. Onion rings are high in fat and calories, and they’re usually cooked in unhealthy oils. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try baked or roasted onion rings instead.
10. Mozzarella Sticks
Mozzarella sticks are a popular menu item, but they’re also one of the unhealthiest. Mozzarella sticks are high in fat and calories, and they’re usually cooked in unhealthy oils. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try baked or roasted mozzarella sticks instead.
11. Ice Cream
Ice cream is a popular menu item, but it’s also one of the unhealthiest. Ice cream is high in fat and calories, and it’s usually topped with unhealthy ingredients like chocolate syrup and sprinkles. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try frozen yogurt or sorbet instead.
12. Milkshakes
Milkshakes are a popular menu item, but they’re also one of the unhealthiest. Milkshakes are high in fat and calories, and they’re usually made with unhealthy ingredients like ice cream and chocolate syrup. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try a smoothie instead.
13. Cheesecake
Cheesecake is a popular menu item, but it’s also one of the unhealthiest. Cheesecake is high in fat and calories, and it’s usually topped with unhealthy ingredients like chocolate and caramel. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try a fruit tart or a yogurt parfait instead.
14. Chocolate Cake
Chocolate cake is a popular menu item, but it’s also one of the unhealthiest. Chocolate cake is high in fat and calories, and it’s usually topped with unhealthy ingredients like frosting and sprinkles. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try a fruit tart or a yogurt parfait instead.
As 2020 involves an in depth, now we have the prospect to take inventory of our favourite menu objects that popped up over the course of the 12 months. Whether or not this stuff offered a glimmer of enjoyable as we quarantined at dwelling, or simply offered a fast chunk to curb a craving, 2020 supplied all kinds of latest restaurant objects that many people hope to see return within the new 12 months.
However not all menu objects are created equal, and for each welcome addition to our favourite menus, we skilled a spread of drinks, entrees, sides, and extra that threatened to undo our diets and weight reduction journeys. Protecting observe of the objects which have carried out essentially the most injury to our our bodies feels robust, particularly as a lot occurred this 12 months. Fortunately, now we have assembled an inventory of the unhealthiest menu objects of 2020 from a few of your favourite eating places that will help you maintain observe of what objects to keep away from transferring ahead into the brand new 12 months.
If you wish to lower out the dietary negativity and begin 2021 proper, embrace some new adjustments with these 100 Best Recipes You Can Make.
Per 1 serving: 1,100 energy, 40 g fats (22g saturated fats), 300 mg sodium, 177 g carbs (0 g fiber, 167 g sugar), 1 g protein
Visions of sugarplums in all probability make you consider a lightweight and ethereal Christmas, however do not get misled by Dunkin’ Donuts newest vacation creation to cap off 2020. Based on the American Coronary heart Affiliation, nobody ought to eat over 36 grams of sugar a day, making the Sugarplum Swirl Frozen Espresso equate to 5 days value of sugar. Save your physique some put on and tear and ensure to cross up this drink subsequent time you go to your native Dunkin’.
As an alternative, order one in all these The Finest Dunkin Donuts Espresso Orders For Weight Loss.
Per 1 serving: 860 energy, 39 g fats, (9 g saturated fats) 2,360 mg sodium, 90 g carbs, (10 g fiber, 6 g sugar) 42 g protein
Applebee’s serves up among the scariest entrees we are able to put our physique, however the steakbowl’s huge quantity of sodium and fats make it a meal to be actually reckoned with. The FDA recommends nobody eat greater than 2,300 milligrams of sodium and day, and this entree takes it to the following stage by exceeding that quantity by 60 milligrams. Deal with your physique proper and ensure to seize a more healthy entree to get 2021 began on the precise foot.
Talking of excessive sodium meals, listed here are 21 Meals With Extra Sodium Than A Pack of Ramen.
Per 1 serving: 940 energy, 38 g fats , (14 g saturated fats) 2,560 mg sodium, 76 g carbs (12 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 71 g protein
When El Pollo Loco introduced they deliberate on bringing again their tamales and tamale bowls in 2020, who might have guessed that the meals might include a lot poor vitamin? With over a day’s value of salt and virtually half your day’s energy, the tamale bowl with 2 items of rooster ensures to gradual you down and simply ranks as one of many unhealthiest restaurant menu objects of 2020.
Per 1 serving: 490 energy, 21 g fats (3.5 g saturated fats), 1,450 mg sodium, 49 g carbs (2 g fiber, 5 g sugar), 28 g protein
Quick meals sandwiches usually do not do anybody’s physique favors, however Wendy’s newest basic rooster sandwich pulls out all of the stops and masses up the 2020 providing with over half your day’s sodium and a ton of fats. Regardless of consisting of chicken, do not get fooled into pondering this sandwich supplies a wholesome different to an everyday burger.
On your reference, listed here are The Finest and Worst Quick-Meals Rooster Sandwiches, Based on a Dietitian.
Per 1 serving: 620 energy, 30 g fats (6 g saturated fats), 1,860 mg sodium, 54 g carbs (3 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 31 g protein
Nothing beats a fried rooster sandwich when a craving strikes, however be certain that to suppose twice earlier than downing one in all Church’s Rooster newest additions to their 2020 menu. The spicy rooster sandwich incorporates a sodium depend that will get very near your every day allotment of salt, whereas its 30 grams of fats does some main injury to the waistlines of anybody who tries the sandwich. Preserve your distance from this meal whilst you can.
Per 1 serving: 540 energy, 28 g fats (10 g saturated fats), 1,630 mg sodium, 38 g carbs (3 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 35 g protein
Arby’s has outlined themselves as purveyors as some very heavy sandwiches, however their newest deep fried turkey membership takes sodium to the following stage. The sandwich packs in over half your every day sodium consumption into one sandwich, making it one of many worst sandwiches that entered the restaurant’s menu circulation this 12 months. If you have to persist with maintaining a healthy diet, keep away from any objects that publicize how they’ve been deep fried.
Per 1 serving: 980 energy, 61 g fats (25 g saturated fats), 1,820 mg sodium, 59 g carbs (6 g fiber, 3 g sugar), 49 g protein
Cracker Barrel has served up some objects previously that would finish any food regimen, however they stepped up their recreation in 2020 with the Bacon n’ Egg Hashbrown Casserole, a breakfast choice that ensures to take down your well being earlier than you may even correctly get up. The meal packs in over three-quarters of your every day sodium and a whopping 61 grams of fats, jamming in a whole day’s value of poor vitamin earlier than you will have the prospect to complete your morning espresso.
Per 1 serving: 590 energy, 31 g fats (15 g saturated fats), 430 mg sodium, 74 g carbs (2 g fiber, 39 g sugar), 6 g protein
Based on the FDA, nobody ought to eat greater than 50 grams of added sugar per day, and Einstein Bros. newest Social gathering Bagel takes you very near your every day restrict proper as you begin your morning. Nobody wants to start their day with a slice of cake, even when the cake is available in bagel type. Keep away from this 2020 breakfast menu choice to maintain your consuming plan on observe.
Per 1 serving: 610 energy, 30 g fats (8 g saturated fats), 1,400 mg sodium, 58 g carbs (4 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 43 g protein
Simply while you suppose Arby’s could not add a worse sandwich to their menu, the quick meals chain tops itself. One of many scarier standout objects of 2020 got here within the type of Arby’s rooster cheddar ranch sandwich, a nightmare of an entree that packs in over half your day’s salt, to not point out an enormous quantity of fats. Anybody seeking to trim down their waist must keep away from this sandwich.
RELATED: Your final restaurant and grocery store survival information is right here!
Per 1 serving: 590 energy, 27 g fats (12 g saturated fats), 1,340 mg sodium, 58 g carbs (1 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 26 g protein
Taco Bell has been identified to boost some eyebrows, and something labeled as “grande” usually must get approached with warning. The chain’s Grande Stacker lives as much as its title, because it packs in over half your day’s value of sodium in a single tortilla-wrapped abdomen ache. Consider 27 grams of fats, and also you should not even splurge on one of many unhealthiest menu objects of 2020 on a cheat day.
Per 1 serving: 840 energy, 52 g fats (20 g saturated fats), 1,300 mg sodium, 53 g carbs (3 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 40 g protein
Nothing sounds higher than a pretzel bacon pub burger when starvation strikes, however earlier than you run all the way down to your native Wendy’s, be certain that to essentially suppose by way of that call. This 2020 menu providing masses up on half your salt for the day, whereas jamming in 52 grams of heart-stopping fats, making it a really unsavory burger.
Subsequent time a burger craving strikes, check out the 13+ greatest wholesome hamburger recipes for weight reduction as an alternative and indulge your cravings, guilt-free.
Per 1 serving: 360 energy, 38 g fats (6 g saturated fats), 1,380 mg sodium, 3 g carbs (1 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 0 g protein
If you wish to load up on empty energy, Buffalo Wild Wings has you coated in 2020. Their Lemon Pepper boneless wings proceed the pattern by packing in an enormous quantity of salt, taking you nicely over your midway restrict for the day, whereas additionally containing a great deal of fats. Do not let these wings tempt you—they’ll solely result in you packing on the kilos and depart you actually craving a glass of water in any case that salt.
Per 1 serving: 730 energy, 59 g fats (11 g saturated fats), 1,130 mg sodium, 31 g carbs (2 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 21 g protein
Fried rooster by no means does anybody’s physique a favor, and this entree proves itself as one of many least healthful choices you may order at a restaurant throughout 2020. This fried rooster basket serves up half your every day salt, along with an enormous 59 grams of fats that provide no well being advantages. Be sure to avoid this feature subsequent time you go to Del Taco.
So skip this merchandise and make your individual Crispy Oven-Fried Rooster Recipe as an alternative.
Per 1 serving: 930 energy, 42 g fats (14 g saturated fats), 3,110 mg sodium, 93 g carbs (9 g fiber, 4 g sugar), 40 g protein
Should you ever wished to eat a day and half value of salt in a burrito, El Pollo Loco’s California Queso Burrito enables you to indulge on this dietary sin. The meal packs in over 3,000 milligrams of sodium and to not point out a ton of fats, making this one of many worst Tex-Mex choices to place in your physique this 12 months. Be sure to ring in 2021 in good well being and do not go close to this restaurant merchandise.