Large portions are becoming more commonplace in restaurants and at home. Plate sizes are larger, and fast food restaurants ask if you want the portions "super-sized." Combined with the increased portion sizes are dishes that are filled with hidden fat and calories. Some of the top calorie foods being served at restaurants around the country are contributing to the rising obesity problem.
Pasta Carbonara with Chicken
The Cheesecake Factory's Pasta Carbonara with Chicken weighs in at a whopping 2,500 calories for a single serving, according to the Xtreme Eating Awards List in the "Nutrition Action Healthletter." In addition to the calories, it also has 85 g of saturated fat. According to the US RDA recommendations, individuals should consume no more than 20 g of saturated fats in one day. This means this dish contains more saturated fat than a person should have in four days.
Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
Alabama Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf is a favorite in Mobile, Alabama, where it is served up for patrons at Greer's Market by Chef Kevin Layton, according to Health.com. The meatloaf is made with ground beef and covered in bacon. There are 14 g of fat in one 3-oz. serving, with an additional 3 g of fat with each slice of bacon.
Double Pan-Fried Noodles Combination
According to the Xtreme Eating Awards list, P.F. Chang's Chinese restaurant chain boasts a Double Pan-Fried Noodle combination plate that packs in 1,820 calories with 7,690 mg of sodium. According to the US RDA limitations, individuals should not eat more than 2,400 mg of sodium per day. This dish supplies more than three days' worth of sodium and almost an entire day of calories in one meal.
Cheesecake and Pecan Pie
Desserts are high ticket items when measuring calories. For the most part, those calories are expected. According to AskTheTrainer.com, the Thanksgiving favorites cheesecake and pecan pie can supply upwards of 600 calories and 40 g of fat per slice. Less fattening alternatives may be available for cheesecake, but pecan pie is naturally high in fat. Pumpkin pie is also calorie-dense but also has more nutritional value than cheesecake and pecan pie.
Marie Callender's Chicken Pot Pie
According to the Nutrition Action Health Letter, Marie Callender's Chicken Pot Pie lists only 520 calories, 11 g of fat and 800 mg of sodium on their box. Unfortunately, those numbers are for only half the pie. Most people will eat the whole pie and get 1,040 calories with 22 g of saturated fat and 1,600 mg of sodium.
Olive Garden's Tour of Italy
Given the lure of additional options, Olive Garden has a Tour of Italy pasta dish on their menu that allows the patron to choose three entrees on one plate. Homemade lasagna, chicken parmigiana and creamy alfredo will tip the scales at 1,450 calories with 33 g of saturated fat and 3,830 mg of sodium. With the addition of one breadstick and a plate of their salad, the numbers top 2,000 calories and 6,160 mg of sodium.
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