Healthy Living

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Top ten worst foods of 2009

From an astonishing amount of calories to several days' worth of fat in one meal to over the top levels of sodium, this is one place you don’t want to see any of your favorite foods. Every year, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) comes up with its list of the Top Ten Worst Foods and I always look forward to it. Once in awhile I find out I’ve enjoyed one of the “worsts” (and stop immediately!). But this year, I’m happy to report I have not indulged in anything on CSPI’s list for 2009.

1. Pepperidge Farm Roasted White Meat Chicken Premium Pot Pie - There are 510 calories and 9 grams of saturated fat in this baby. Oh wait - that’s just for half a pie. The whole thing has 1020 calories and 18 grams of saturated fat.

2. Romano’s Macaroni Grill Spaghetti and Meatballs with Meat Sauce
- This dish will set you back a staggering 2,430 calories and nearly three days’ worth of saturated fat (57 grams) plus 5,290 milligrams of sodium - more calories and saturated fat than two Macaroni Grill Tuscan Rib-Eye steak dinners.

3. Progresso Traditional, Vegetable Classics, and Rich & Hearty soups - Half a can averages more than half of a person’s daily quota of salt. Instead, CSPI says try Progresso’s Health Favorites reduced-sodium soups with up to 50 percent less salt. Also, see: Hidden sodium in foods you wouldn't think to check.

4. Dove Ice Cream - A half cup has about 300 calories and an average of 11 grams of saturated fat - that’s half-a-day’s worth of the bad stuff. You may be better off with these 5 frozen treats under 100 calories.

5. The Cheesecake Factory Chris’ Outrageous Chocolate Cake - It’s layers of chocolate cake, brownie, toasted coconut pecan filling, and chocolate chip coconut cheesecake. CSPI found each five-inch-high slice weighs three-fourths of a pound and has 1,380 calories, 32 teaspoons of sugar, 33 grams of saturated fat and 5 grams of trans fat. Yikes!

6. Smoothie King’s Grape Expectations II - It’s one of Smoothie King’s “Snack Rights” with 550 calories in the 20-ounce size and 1,100 calories in the 40-ouncer. Proof that not all smoothies are good for you (but these are).

7. Pop Secret Movie Theater Butter Popcorn Snack Size Bags - Just one snack-size bag has 11 grams of bad fat, 7 of which are trans fats. Instead, CSPI says choose Orville Redenbacher’s Smart Pop or Smart Balance Smart ’N Healthy - both are made with no partially hydrogenated oils. Also, see this review of microwave popcorns from Consumer Reports.

8. The Starbucks Venti (20 oz.) Caffè Mocha with whole milk and whipped cream has 450 calories and 13 grams of bad fat - more like a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in a cup. But you can lose all the bad fat and all but 170 calories if you order a tall (12 oz.) with nonfat milk and no whipped cream.

9. Chipotle Chicken Burrito - With rice, pinto beans, cheese, chicken, sour cream, and salsa, you get 1,040 calories and 16-1/2 grams of saturated fat - the same as three Subway Steak and Cheese 6-inch Subs. Plus the burrito comes with 2,500 milligrams of sodium! Ordering it without cheese or sour cream cuts the saturated fat to 3-1/2 grams, but you still end up with 810 calories and 2,300 milligrams of sodium. Ay Caramba! Here's another burrito that will shock you.

10. Cold Stone Creamery’s Gotta Have It Founder’s Favorite - 12-ounces of ice cream, pecans, brownie pieces, fudge, and caramel adds up to a whopping 1,600 calories and 42 grams of saturated fat. That’s about the same as five single-scoop ice cream cones. And watch out before you have this frozen concoction.

Any surprises? And tell me… have you had any of these

Don't miss a thing! Sign up for FatFighterTV's daily updates, get the FREE e-book, "Recipes and Tips for Healthy, Thrifty Meals"

Syndication:

From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 840
  • mommaofsun's Avatar
    Posted by mommaofsun Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:58am PST

    Well, we don't eat any of those, except the Progresso soups, which my 14 yr old loves. I will just have to make my own at home or get the reduced sodium brand.

    Report Abuse
  • Sheelah N's Avatar
    Posted by Sheelah N Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:10am PST

    ...and they all are delicious. Its not like I'd eat them every day!

    Report Abuse
  • biscuiteater's Avatar
    Posted by biscuiteater Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:11am PST

    Darnit! Founder's favorite is my favorite thing to get at Cold Stone! Luckily, I get the Love it, instead of the Gotta Have It, and it takes me two sittings to finish it. I also only eat it maybe 3 times a year. Now I know to maybe go with the Like It, and to eat it once a year, lol!

    I hate Macaroni Grill! Their food is SO oversalted, it is ridiculous. If you want something to not be bland, ad a little bit of Kosher or sea salt, and then add OTHER seasonings (that taste better than table salt anyway). Every time I have eaten there, I could feel my blood pressure skyrocketing, and I have really healthy blood pressure. Imagine someone who doesn't...

    Somtimes I think I don't always eat that healthy, and then I read articles like this, and I realize, I still eat whole foods for the most part. There is some really nasty stuff out there!

    Report Abuse
  • mommaofsun's Avatar
    Posted by mommaofsun Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:24pm PST

    I don't like to salt anything I eat, but if I need to, I also prefer kosher or sea salt.

    Report Abuse
  • KENNY's Avatar
    Posted by KENNY Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:40pm PST

    I am currently working on week 6 of P90X, a very intense workout program.

    At 55 I have to do something because I refuse to have a gut. I want my bride to look at me with lust,not disgust.

    If I ate better, I would shape up quicker but I do not want to eat celery stalks and carrot sticks all the time along with tuna and water.

    I don't eat any of the items here but I could easily. If you will set it in your mind to work out for 30-45 minutes each day and eat sensibly,you can indulge every once in a while.

    This is just one man's opinion and I hope it helps someone. For the record, I am 6'1",weigh 185lbs with a 35" waist. I don't know my body fat index. I think it's low but I do have a bit of flabby stuff around the mid-section that I really want to get rid of. AND I WILL.

    Thanks and God bless you all.

    Report Abuse
  • FatFighterTV's Avatar
    Posted by FatFighterTV Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:30pm PST

    It's definitely all about moderation. Still, I love these lists - there's always something that is so over the top it shocks me. This year, it was the spaghetti for sure - that is not even worth it "in moderation" IMO!

    Report Abuse
  • Habanero♥™'s Avatar
    Posted by Habanero♥™ Thu Feb 26, 2009 5:19am PST

    You really got with the Macaroni Grill salt content. That is crazy.

    These are all so over the top that it sounds like suicide dining.

    Report Abuse
  • gigi's Avatar
    Posted by gigi Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:32am PST

    I haven't eaten many of these foods but with having high cholesterol i don't think i'll be trying any anytime soon.

    Report Abuse
  • Lady's Avatar
    Posted by Lady Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:43am PST

    oh man that cheesecake sounds soooooooo gooooooooooood mmmmmmmm

    Report Abuse
  • Rowdygirl's Avatar
    Posted by Rowdygirl Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:52am PST

    I held my breath as I read the list. phew ! I'm safe. Have never had any of these.

    Report Abuse
Comments 1-10 of 840

leave your comment

You must sign in to post a comment

Sign In for personalized information

New User? Sign Up

Updates Chatter on Shine…

Health Byte

You know you need to hydrate. But is the water you're drinking safe? Here are 7 ways to be sure your water's fit for you.