Introduction
When it comes to eating out at restaurant chains, it can be hard to know what to order. With so many options, it can be difficult to make the right choice. Unfortunately, some of the menu items at restaurant chains can be downright unhealthy. In this article, we’ll take a look at 16 of the worst holiday menu items at restaurant chains. From high-calorie desserts to greasy entrees, these dishes are sure to leave you feeling bloated and unsatisfied. So, if you’re looking for a healthier option, you may want to steer clear of these menu items.
16 Worst Holiday Menu Items at Restaurant Chains
The holidays are a time for family, friends, and of course, food. But when it comes to restaurant chains, not all holiday menu items are created equal. From over-the-top desserts to questionable entrees, here are 16 of the worst holiday menu items at restaurant chains.
1. KFC’s Double Down King
KFC’s Double Down King is a sandwich that replaces the bread with two fried chicken patties. It’s then topped with bacon, cheese, and a special sauce. While it may sound like a delicious indulgence, it’s actually a heart attack waiting to happen.
2. Burger King’s Bacon Sundae
Burger King’s Bacon Sundae is a dessert that combines two of America’s favorite foods: ice cream and bacon. While it may sound like a delicious combination, the reality is that it’s a sugar overload that’s sure to leave you feeling sick.
3. McDonald’s McRib
The McRib is a classic McDonald’s sandwich that’s made with a pork patty, barbecue sauce, and onions. While it may sound like a tasty treat, the reality is that it’s made with processed meat and is high in sodium and fat.
4. Taco Bell’s Doritos Locos Tacos
Taco Bell’s Doritos Locos Tacos are tacos that are made with a shell made out of Doritos chips. While it may sound like a fun twist on a classic dish, the reality is that it’s high in calories and sodium.
5. Arby’s Venison Sandwich
Arby’s Venison Sandwich is a sandwich made with a venison patty, crispy onions, and a berry sauce. While it may sound like a unique and delicious dish, the reality is that it’s high in fat and calories.
6. Wendy’s Baconator
The Baconator is a burger from Wendy’s that’s made with two beef patties, six strips of bacon, cheese, and a special sauce. While it may sound like a delicious indulgence, the reality is that it’s high in fat and calories.
7. Pizza Hut’s Cheesy Bites Pizza
Pizza Hut’s Cheesy Bites Pizza is a pizza that’s made with a crust filled with cheese and topped with more cheese. While it may sound like a delicious treat, the reality is that it’s high in fat and calories.
8. Sonic’s Bacon Mac & Cheese Dog
Sonic’s Bacon Mac & Cheese Dog is a hot dog that’s topped with macaroni and cheese and bacon. While it may sound like a delicious indulgence, the reality is that it’s high in fat and calories.
9. Jack in the Box’s Bacon Milkshake
Jack in the Box’s Bacon Milkshake is a milkshake that’s made with bacon-flavored syrup and topped with bacon bits. While it may sound like a delicious treat, the reality is that it’s high in sugar and fat.
10. Dairy Queen’s Peppermint Hot Cocoa Blizzard
Dairy Queen’s Peppermint Hot Cocoa Blizzard is a Blizzard that’s made with peppermint-flavored ice cream and topped with hot cocoa. While it may sound like a delicious indulgence, the reality is that it’s high in sugar and fat.
11. Chick-fil-A’s Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake
Chick-fil-A’s Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake is a milkshake that’s made with peppermint-flavored ice cream and topped with chocolate chips. While it may sound like a delicious treat, the reality is that it’s high in sugar and fat.
12. Applebee’s Peppermint Bark Martini
Applebee’s Peppermint Bark Martini is a martini that’s made with peppermint-flavored vodka and topped with crushed candy canes. While it may sound like a delicious indulgence, the reality is that it’s high in alcohol and sugar.
13. Olive Garden’s Lasagna Fritta
Olive Garden’s Lasagna Fritta is a dish that’s made with lasagna that’s been deep-fried and topped with cheese and marinara sauce. While it may sound like a delicious indulgence, the reality is that it’s high in fat and calories.
14. Red Lobster’s Lobster & Waffles
Red Lobster’s Lobster & Waffles is a dish that’s made with lobster and waffles and topped with a creamy sauce. While it may sound like a delicious indulgence, the reality is that it’s high in fat and calories.
15. Chili’s Bacon Ranch Quesadillas
Chili’s Bacon Ranch Quesadillas are quesadillas that are made with bacon, ranch dressing, and cheese. While it may sound like a delicious indulgence, the reality is that it’s high in fat and calories.
16. Buffalo Wild Wings’ Fried Cheese Curds
Buffalo Wild Wings’ Fried Cheese Curds are cheese curds that are deep-fried and served with a side of ranch dressing. While it may sound like a delicious indulgence, the reality is that it’s high in fat and calories.
‘Tis the season to eat, drink, and be merry! The vacation season is in full swing and, amidst the tire hearth that’s 2020, many people are craving some candy treats and splurge dishes. A few of our favourite chains have modified up their menus for the vacations and added seasonal foods and drinks gadgets. And, like at all times, some are more healthy than others.
Though there’s nothing unsuitable with the occasional splurge, some menu gadgets pack in large quantities of saturated fats and sugar. So when it is time to order, you could need to keep away from these worst chain restaurant vacation menu gadgets in favor of a deal with that is not less than somewhat bit more healthy. In any case, we need to begin the brand new yr on a wholesome notice.
And for extra, take a look at these 15 Basic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback.
With icing: 1,030 energy, 25 g fats (11 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 1,660 mg sodium, 188 g carbs (4 g fiber, 10 g sugar), 127 g protein
Taylor Stolt, RDN, LD, CLT, proprietor of Plate and Canvas, recommends avoiding this dish on Denny’s “Festive Flavors” menu. Stolt explains that the cinnamon roll pancakes include 127 grams of sugar, which is roughly the equal of a full cup of sugar.
“The cinnamon roll pancakes have solely 4 grams of fiber and 10 grams of protein, so this sugary stack will trigger an enormous blood sugar spike after which a blood sugar crash quickly after… leaving you drained, irritable, and hungry,” says Stolt.
RELATED: Join our e-newsletter to get each day recipes and meals information in your inbox!
Per grande (16 fl oz): 520 energy, 19 g fats (13 g saturated fats, 0.5 g trans fats), 260 mg sodium, 75 g carbs (0 g fiber, 74 g sugar), 15 g protein
One other sugary merchandise to keep away from is the Starbucks Peppermint White Scorching Chocolate, in accordance with Megan Wong, RD on the AlgaeCal weblog. Wong notes {that a} grande accommodates a whopping 74 grams of sugar—practically twice as a lot sugar as a can of Coke.
“You may simply pack on further energy [with] this vacation drink, with a grande cup offering 520 energy,” Wong says, explaining that almost all these energy come from sugar and fats (round 300 of the energy come from sugar and 170 come from fats). “This drink that you just’re seemingly having fun with as a snack, or along with a meal, has practically as many energy as a Massive Mac and 65% of the each day worth for saturated fats,” says Wong.
1,500 energy, 110 g fats (74 g saturated fats, 3 g trans fats), 350 mg sodium, 122 g carbs (3 g fiber, 111 g sugar), 14 g protein
“With regards to ridiculously excessive quantities of energy, fats, and sugar in a dessert… Cheesecake Manufacturing unit’s Peppermint Bark Cheesecake takes the cake,” says Wong. A single slice accommodates a whopping 1,500 energy, which is nearly a complete day’s price of energy for the common, reasonably energetic girl.
Moreover, Wong explains that 990 of the energy come from fats alone, and primarily saturated fats at that. “One slice of this cheesecake has round 130% of the saturated fats present in a stick of butter,” she says. Wong notes that every slice additionally accommodates round 111 grams (or 28 teaspoons) of sugar and is excessive in sodium.
Per 4 pancakes: 1,190 energy, 48 g fats (20 g saturated fats, 1 g trans fats), 2,460 mg sodium, 169 g carbs (6 g fiber, 76 g sugar), 22 g protein
Allison Herrell, RD and Vitamin Coach, recommends staying away from IHOP’s 1,190 calorie Milk ‘n’ Cookies Pancakes. The principle cause the dish is so unhealthy is as a result of it is full of Oreos, which include sugar as the principle ingredient.
“Including candy milk mousse, vanilla sauce, powdered sugar, and sprinkles makes this merchandise extraordinarily excessive in sugar,” says Herrell. “You are destined to crash after indulging on this breakfast dessert.”
Horrifyingly, these pancakes in some way additionally include 2,460 milligrams of sodium, in accordance with IHOP’s vitamin calculator.
410 energy, 10 g fats (7 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 450 mg sodium, 79 g carbs (1 g fiber, 69 g sugar), 3 g protein
This seasonal sizzling chocolate has 410 energy, and the quantity of Oreo cookie items and sprinkles means it is also full of sugar.
Per small (437 g): 730 energy, 25 g fats (16 g saturated fats, 1 g trans fats), 400 mg sodium, 117 g carbs (0 g fiber, 101 g sugar), 12 g protein
“The Peppermint Chip Milkshake is loaded with fats and carbohydrates,” says Herrell. “The small dimension has one gram of trans fats.” Trans fat can decrease your “good” levels of cholesterol, so you will need to keep away from them when you may.
Herrell provides that the quantity of sugar within the shake is the equal of consuming 10 sweet canes. It is also full of energy—the small accommodates 730 and the big clocks in at 950.
Per small with skim milk: 150 energy, 0 g fats, 110 mg sodium, 32 g carbs (0 g fiber, 30 g sugar), 6 g protein
Even in case you get a small dimension, Herrell says this drink accommodates extra sugar in a single serving than a girl ought to have in a full day.
TGI Friday’s Vacation Pasta sounds deceptively wholesome as a result of a few of its major elements are rooster and broccoli. Nevertheless, Brenda Braslow, RD at MyNetDiary, shared the true deal: “The combined cheeses, Alfredo sauce, and cheese tortellini ship it excessive at a whopping 1,840 energy.” Yikes.
The Berry Merry Colada packs in 500 energy, which Braslow notes would not depart many energy in your price range for the remainder of your meal.
420 energy, 21 g fats (13 g saturated fats, 1 g trans fats), 400 mg sodium, 55 g carbs (1 g fiber, 29 g sugar), 4 g protein
“The Mitten Cookie is so cute, however watch out,” says Braslow. It is a lot of carbs and sugar for a reasonably small deal with.
Braslow says that Cracker Barrel’s Vacation Warmth N’ Serve Feast lives as much as its title. The unfold consists of sugar-coated ham, dressing, gravy, cranberry relish, rolls, and pecan pie. “[This] provides as much as not less than 1,575 energy per particular person and that does not even embody the butter, the extra three sides, or a beverage,” she says.
All of Cracker Barrel’s vacation desserts are heavy, however the chocolate pecan pie is particularly unhealthy. It accommodates 880 energy, so you will be consuming practically half your each day caloric consumption on a sugary dessert that has no dietary worth and can depart you craving a snack inside a couple of hours.
1,400 energy, 62 g fats (30 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 2,720 mg sodium, 183 g carbs (2 g fiber, 68 g sugar), 21 g protein
P.F. Chang’s launched a vacation menu final yr, and it is stuffed with tempting major dishes and desserts. The Bao Donuts are the dish to keep away from—one order accommodates a whopping 1,400 energy and 68 grams of sugar.
In honor of the vacation season, Shake Shack launches three festive flavors every year. This yr’s trio consists of Christmas Cookie, Chocolate Spice, and Sweet Cane Marshmallow. Though the precise vitamin info for these shakes is not out there, it is secure to imagine they’re full of energy and sugar. Specialty shakes just like the Bourbon Salted Caramel Shake, Loaded Chocolate Cookies & Cream Shake, and TKO’ Clock Chocolate Cookies & Cream Shake all include between 890 and 1160 energy.
Per grande: 200 energy, 12 g fats (8 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 30 mg sodium, 20 g carbs (0 g fiber, 19 g sugar), 2 g protein
Herrell additionally suggests staying away from the Starbucks Irish Cream Chilly Brew. “[It contains] nearly half of your each day restrict of saturated fats in a venti serving,” she says. Plus, it exceeds the higher restrict of each day sugar consumption for ladies. It is secure to say this is not the most suitable choice on your caffeine repair!
860 energy, 48 g fats (19 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 2,340 mg sodium, 77 g carbs (<1 g fiber, 17 g sugar), 31 g protein
Consuming the Grandma’s Vacation Sampler means you will devour 860 energy in a single fell swoop. As a substitute of consuming each sort of breakfast meals possible, choose your favourite and deal with your self to at least one dish, whether or not it is pancakes or bacon and eggs.
Word: Full vitamin info wasn’t out there for the TGI Friday’s Vacation Pasta, the Applebee’s Berry Merry Colada, the Cracker Barrel Vacation Warmth N’ Serve Feast, the Cracker Barrel Chocolate Pecan Pie, and the Shake Shack vacation shakes.
For extra, do not miss these 108 hottest sodas ranked by how poisonous they’re.