Extreme Eating Hard To Swallow

2,000-Calorie Appetizer? At Sit-Down Restaurants, Consumer Group Sees Health Risk

(CBS/AP)  A consumer nutrition group that's found health risks in everything from Chinese food to movie theater popcorn now finds restaurant chains tough to swallow.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest says Uno Chicago Grill, for example, offers a pizza skins appetizer with more than 2,000 calories and 48 grams of fat.

The appetizer packs a whole days worth for the average adult, with the same amount of calories of three personal pan pizzas and three pats of butter, CBS News correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi reports.

A chocolate cake from the Cheesecake Factory serves up nearly 1,400 calories, the same as eating two quarter pounders and large fries.

In the CSPI report, executive director Michael Jacobson says table service restaurants "have launched into a whole new era of extreme eating."

"Burgers, pizzas, and quesadillas were never health foods to begin with, but many restaurants are transmogrifying these foods into ever-more harmful new creations, and then keeping you in the dark about what they contain," said Jacobson.

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Read the report for more calorie tallies.

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"Now we see lasagna with meatballs on top; ice cream with cookies, brownies, and candy mixed in; 'Ranchiladas,' bacon cheeseburger pizzas, buffalo-chicken-stuffed quesadillas, and other hybrid horribles that are seemingly designed to promote obesity, heart disease, and stroke," Jacobson said.

Next up: Ruby Tuesday's Fresh Chicken and Pasta. Sounds healthy? Not so much, Alfonsi reports. It clocks in at 2,060 calories and 128 grams of fat.

Jacobson calls the fresh chicken with pasta dinner at Ruby Tuesday "angioplasta."

A single scone at Starbucks has over a thousand calories.

Right now, you won't find any of those big numbers listed on the menu. That's what consumer advocates want to change. But sometimes, just a name is enough to set off a high-calorie warning. Take the Colossal Burger.

With 141 grams of fat, the burger is the equivalent of five Quarter Pounders.

Americans eat out on average about four meals a week, according to CSPI nutrition policy director Margo G. Wootan.

“Studies show that women who eat out more than five times a week eat 300 more calories per day on average than women who eat out less often," she said in the report.

Jacobson says these chains aren't being singled out; they represent the entire industry.

As for Ruby Tuesday, the chain's Richard Johnson said: "Nutrient information has been on packaged foods in grocery stores for years and during those years the rate of obesity hasn't gone down..."

CSPI wants federal legislation to require nutrition information on restaurant menus, at least the calories for each item, to help diners make healthy choices.

[timberagain]

Ever see those huge lards at Disney World or other theme parks, who rent the wheelchairs to travel around the park?
They hibernate / eat all winter, then emerge in spring, climb aboard their rented wheelchairs, and get on all the rides first, because they're 'handicapped'.
The world is repulsed by all those huge American buttz!

[breeg659]

Im a big Ruby's fan, and for all of you who dont know there is a special Smart Eating menu, with some of the same meals, but without some of the fatty sauces, and bread. These meals are just as good with less calories. Also, I eat there at least twice a week, and I believe when you go out to eat anywhere it's about how you order. Ruby's more than anywhere Ive found really accomidates to what I want, even if the meal isnt exactly on the menu. For example all the chicken entrees have sauces on them that are sure to add calories. I order the chicken, without the sauce, and ussualy substitute vegitables for the mashed potatoes. You cant place the blame for obesity on the resturants, place it on the people who are ignorant, and continue to stay ignorant as they get fatter and fatter.

[hspumanti]

I have to disagree about your comment that the restraunts are not to blame. When I was a kid going out to eat was at most a once a week thing but in todays in many homes is the norm not the exception to eat restraunt food and that's were the problem lies ie once in a while isn't going to make you fat or nutrient deficient but 7-14 meals a week will even if you are being careful as you are underinformed as to what you are consuming.

As a patron you have little idea as to what goes into most of the items on the menu. And it's not all about calories either. Most restraunts have enough salt in the meals to cause hypertension in an athlete. I firmly believe that the restruants should either have a healthy choice menu with smaller portions and listing the same nutritional information that you find on packaged foods or all the items on the menu contain complete nutritional information.

[hspumanti]

I have to disagree about your comment that the restraunts are not to blame. When I was a kid going out to eat was at most a once a week thing but today, in many homes it is the norm not the exception to eat restraunt food and that's were the problem lies. Once in a while isn't going to make you fat or nutrient deficient but 7-14 meals a week will even if you are being careful. And the consumer is underinformed as to what they are consuming.

As a patron you have little idea as to what goes into most of the items on the menu. And it's not all about calories either. Most restraunts have enough salt in the meals to cause hypertension in an athlete. I firmly believe that the restraunts should either have a healthy choice menu with smaller portions and listing the same nutritional information that you find on packaged foods or all the items on the menu contain complete nutritional information.

[cdegolier]

It's only fair that they post the nutritional content, the fast food industry was forced to why should restuarants be treated any differently.

[dumbwoman]

I dont really believe people are being fooled into thinking what they are eating at these places is healthy. I think theyre lazy and greedy.

[silver9991]

Posting nutritional info and ingredients may be helpful in certain cases. We all know burgers and fries are BAD, but there are some borderline foods that may be made in a reasonbly-nutritional way in one restaurant and not-so-nutritionally in another.

[hokuto1]

Americans worry about Al Qaeda while engaging in this kind of home-grown self-destructive behavior. It would be the height of irony if we discovered it wasn't Hollywood and the "left" that's destroying America, but the good ole boys with their family restaurants.

[michellem99-2009]

I feel that they put too much sait on fries. I asked for sait free fries. Not all persons who eat at fast food places are lazy. I for one have to use the microwave to heat what I eat. When out eat in fast food places. I feel that persons need to ask for healthy eats. I am not fat. There are those who are. I am blind/multi handicapped. Some of us just can't cook for health and safety reasons. The fast food places do sell foods that are not as healthy as could be. I don't eat out that much.

[nothappyatall]

"Now we see lasagna with meatballs on top;"

NOW they see it? where have they been? meatballs and pastas have been together ever since I can remember.

[silver9991]

paia... that's why we'd like the information for those times we DO eat at restaurants. In the grocery store I am constanting reading the nutritional fact sheets. Amazing how different two seemingly-similar sounding salad dressings can be!

Granted, some of it is common sense. Fries... okay, there's fat there. Other things? Sometimes not so clear. I want to take responsibility of my dining habits, and the way to do that is to be fully informed.

[silver9991]

Al Gore? Naw, I don't think this is one of his issues.

[jimmyc1955]

I don't mind the posting of nutrional information. But what happens when people continue to eat as they choose despite those postings? Will the well intentioned decide there must be a "fat" tax in order to modify peoples "self destructive" behavior?

The self rightious will feel wonderful about telling others what is best for them, then forcing them to behave - regards of those peoples wishes.

Little by little, with the best of intentions, we use government to mange the people rather than the people managing the government. When do any individuals rights become paramount in today's society? We have no property rights relative to government and now we are porposing no right to eat what we want. New York has passed a transfats law. It isn't a matter of healt - its of personal liberty.

For those all to willing to impose government to do "right" be careful what you create. "Right" will always be subjective - and could well be "wrong" tomorrow.

[ohioangel]

I would like to know the calories and fat content of anything I might choose off of a menu

[ayazdi]

The report filed by the CSPI was misquoted in the above article. It stated that a "Venti White Chocolate Mocha AND a blueberry scone" total 1,100 calories at Starbucks--NOT a single "scone at Starbucks is 1,000 calories". Still not a wise investment of calories, but that's quite an overstatement of facts.

[silver9991]

paia, I am not "blaming" anybody.

As for "your lack of knowledge that has always been there. The choice should've been made prior to arrival. If unsure call and ask."

Like you'll always get a straight answer. (And not necessarily out of malicious purposes either. WHY are you misrepresenting my desire for accessible information as being "blame"? There's no such intent in my comment.) And I've already stated that some foods are pretty obvious as to their "stay away!" factor.

jimmyc: I agree, we shouldn't allow government to tell us we cannot eat such and such a food, whether bad or good for us. I just think the info should be available so that those of us who don't want trans fat don't have to eat it... but those who love it can make that choice too.

[ndg1979]

As a fast food restaurant manager, it amazes me how much people need reminded of everything. Are you all that stupid that you need reminded?!

Remember when word got out that McD's was going to do away with their SuperSize to satisfy all you health nuts? Everybody for it said that fast food should offer more nutrional value. Let me tell you that I don't eat fast food for nutritional value - I EAT IT BECAUSE IT TASTES GOOD!! If you want to SuperSize anything - SUPERSIZE MY LIPITOR!!!!

I don't work for McD's (too lame), but it amazes me how even with information right in front of your eyes, you still ask dumb questions. Example, I was in an Arby's (my fav fast food) recently and I heard a customer ask what the difference was between the pic of the Arby's melt and the Beef 'N Cheddar. INSANE!! They look nothing alike. If you dumb American's can't even read pictures, what the h*ll kind of future does this country have?

Wake up people - more political wrangling is UNNECESSARY!!!! If you are worried about your d*mn health - EAT AT YOUR HOUSE!!!! And as for this organization who is adding to the fear and confusion being perpetrated by the government run media, do something beneficial for this country like work for better schooling so that these morons who write this sh*t know what they are talking about.

I'd like a LARGE Roast Beef combo with a LARGE order of curly fries and a LARGE Pepsi!! Arby's - HERE I COME!! I can die happy now!!

[tmonta1]

It's simple: eateries 'have a right' to create whatever food they want and sell it to you regardless of how extreme and unhealthy. Consumers have to deal with that as 'everybody's gotta make a living' yadda yadda yadda...incidentally, this is also the excuse made by European cigarette marketers who are now legally flavoring their cigarettes vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry to hook teens annd pre-teens (and don't tell me there's a difference because there isn't. Lousy diet and cigarettes will both kill you and both cost this country big bucks in health care).

However, consumers need and have a right to know what they chose to ingurgitate or else they're being manipulated. Detailed nutritional information is a must. Warnings should be put on crappy food and packages of cigs alike, and only then can you argue that 'it's a matter of choice'.

[mother061]

People are going to these places and buying the food. They have no right to complain about the fat. You want healthy stay home and cook. Isn't that what parents are supppose to do?Cook dinner and have a family dinner at the table.People are looking to blame every one else for being over weight when they really have no one to blame. The stores and resturants don't pick you up and bring you there to get the junk you put in your body!

[silver9991]

Regards candy cigarettes -- they were all over the place when I was a kid, and while I liked the candy, I never confused them for the real thing. Likewise, I've never eaten real coins confusing them for the chocolate variety.

Regards blame: It's not about blame. It's about informed responsibility. Responsibility of both management and customer. I don't think the labels should be "warning" labels, just informative ones like at the supermarket. And I'd prefer to see it voluntary; I'm sure better class restaraunts would be more likely to post this info given customer interest than the fast food places. (And we can already assume that just about nothing at a fast food place is healthy, including often the salads. This of course doesn't justify suing them for "making" one fat!)

Yes, home cooked meals are the best, and I LOVE to cook, but for people on the road that's really not often an option.

[jimmyc1955]

From the postings I think it's clear everybody would like to know more information about what they are eating. I know for a fact the McD's and others did post, and make availalbe pamphlets that detailed how much fat and how many calories each menu items contained - and they were roundly ignored.

My question is - when people continue to eat double fat burgers from Hardies will the next step be to tax, hinder and imped peoples choices? My guess is the lawyers will then be the weapon of choice for the "I know whats best for you" crowd. Multiple attempts have been made to sue fast food chains but to date juries won't buy the "they were dupped into believing it was healthy - or they didn't know it was bad" line.

But many states have juries who look at lawsuits not a cases of justice but a lottery for those suing. They will offer huge sums of money to the "victums" not because the case has merit but because the big bad company can afford it.

Mark my words - somewhere in the next 3 years a case will be won by some law firm agains a fast food resturant - and we will have have our choices eliminated by those who "know whats best for us."

[twiggy40]

I personally am interested in the food I am eating. I am a working mom and we eat out at least twice a week. I don't want to be told what to eat but I would like to know what I am eating. I would like to know the fat content and calories to help me make better decisions on what to order.I would also like to know the trans fat content. I don't think they are blaming as much as informing the uninformed! Now I know why I need to stick to my rule of only eating half of what is on my plate at a restraunt!!

[jairod]

Informed responsibility is a bunch of whoey. To attack the obisity problem you have to begin at the source. Kids.
We have become such apermisive society that to say no to a child is tantamount to child abuse. We no longer have the guts to be resposible parents so we better get used to the idea that we are killing the future generationn with kindness.
You want to bring up responsible adults from the begining. Teach the kids to take a no as meaning no. Teach them that doing without for the moment is not the end of the world. Teach them to be quiet, not in the "shut-up" sense, but in the internal peace sense. Let the kids know that as we care for them they need to care for themselves. But, if we let them do as they wish, including eating what ever, when ever, they will learn to ignore what is best for themselves and in the end suffer and early heart attack, or worse.
In short, as parents we Americans have shown little regard for our childrens future in the health department.

[silver9991]

Why is informed responsibility a "bunch of whoey"? It is such if the individual treats information that way, but frankly, I, and the government are not, and should NOT be respsonsible for those who ignore informed information and refuse to take responsibility.

Many -- most! -- of us who want information do not fall into your pre-set category of same. We want information so we can take our own responsibilities on upon ourselves.

And if we eat garbage (not personally my choice) it is upon our heads. But at least we have the information. And for certain foods -- I'm not talking about the fries -- there is uncertanity until we know more about the specific suppliers and distributors.

Informed responsibility allows us to say NO approrpiately to our own children (those of us who have children), and guide them to responsible food choices.

I'm not clear as to what you want, at least via your post, jairod: Informed irresponsibility, or uninformed mayhem?

[lonestartnow]

***Informed*** ***responsibility*** ***and*** ***personal*** ***responsibility*** ***go*** ***hand*** ***in*** ***hand***. ***I*** ***think*** ***most*** ***of*** ***us*** ***probably*** ***know*** ***it***'***s*** ***not*** ***a*** ***good*** ***thing*** ***to*** ***sit*** ***down*** ***and*** ***eat*** ***a*** ***whole*** ***pizza***. ***When*** ***more*** ***than*** ***two***-***thirds*** ***of*** ***our*** ***population*** ***is*** ***overweight*** ***or*** ***obese***, ***we*** ***all*** ***have*** ***a*** ***problem*** ***because*** ***it*** ***costs*** ***us*** ***all***. ***I*** ***think*** ***most*** ***of*** ***us*** ***know*** ***what*** ***we*** ***should*** ***do***, ***and*** ***many*** ***of*** ***us*** ***recognize*** ***unhealthy*** ***food*** ***choices***, ***but*** ***many*** ***of*** ***us*** ***don***'***t*** ***take*** ***the*** ***personal*** ***responsibility*** ***to*** ***say*** &***quot***;***no***&***quot***; ***to*** ***them***. ***As*** ***co***-***founder*** ***of*** ***a*** ***wellness*** ***program*** ***for*** ***individuals*** ***and*** ***employee*** ***groups***, ***I*** ***know*** ***first*** ***hand*** ***that*** ***people*** ***can***'***t*** ***be*** ***dragged*** ***kicking*** ***and*** ***screaming*** ***into*** ***making*** ***healthy*** ***choices***--***but*** ***with*** ***information*** ***and*** ***opportunity***, ***many*** ***do*** ***choose*** ***to*** ***do*** ***so***. ***Rather*** ***than*** ***banning*** ***the*** ***restaurants***' ***rights*** ***to*** ***sell*** ***the*** ***food***, ***we*** ***should*** ***be*** ***given*** ***the*** ***nutritional*** ***information*** ***right*** ***on*** ***the*** ***menu*** ***so*** ***we*** ***can*** ***make*** ***informed*** ***choices*** ***about*** ***what*** ***we*** ***eat***. ***And*** ***how*** ***much*** ***is*** ***a*** ***whole*** ***other*** ***story***!