Healthy Living

Tuesday, December 8, 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

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From the Community…

Comments 831-840 of 852
  • John M's Avatar
    Posted by John M Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:24pm PDT

    hey folks pssst,yea you that just read this bunch of crap let me let you in on a little secret,I DONT CARE WHAT YOU EAT OR DRINK OR SMOKE OR DONT EAT OR DRINK OR SMOKE......YOURE STILL GONNA DIE<NOBODY GETS OUT ALIVE NEVER HAVE NEVER WILL!!!!!!!!!!!just thought id let all you worrywarts in on this piece of info

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  • Cayla's Avatar
    Posted by Cayla Mon Mar 23, 2009 2:20pm PDT

    I like this list. I am a college student and I can say the only thing I am really guilty of is the chipotle chicken buritto which I have recently switched to eating veggie burittos...which I am sure are just as bad. But I'm glad to finally know how bad that stuff is for me!! GROSS!

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  • Shayona's Avatar
    Posted by Shayona Mon Mar 23, 2009 2:39pm PDT

    we all eat these foods all the time but some times it's ok and right now my family is on a FAMILY DIET... I'M ONLY 13 I KNOW BETTER!!!!

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  • sakura's Avatar
    Posted by sakura Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:08pm PDT

    The only thing on this list I would eat is the chocolate cake dessert at the Cheesecake Factory. That is my favorite restaurant. I might have to indulge in that chocolate cake bomb someday. Of course, I would split it with my husband!

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  • Elise's Avatar
    Posted by Elise Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:16pm PDT

    I didn't know that the popcorn was so high in fat - bummer! did anyone know that the turkey sandwich at Panera Bread is 1000 calories? that was totally upsetting to me. It is on their website which lists all the calories.

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  • russ's Avatar
    Posted by russ Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:26pm PDT

    Ahhh, what a load of nonsense!

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  • Nora Henry's Avatar
    Posted by Nora Henry Sat Apr 4, 2009 3:00am PDT

    gawd i like that starbucks mocha caffe

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  • uma's Avatar
    Posted by uma Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:12pm PDT

    good way to create awareness on how to eat in moderation.

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  • jordan's Avatar
    Posted by jordan Wed Apr 29, 2009 6:34pm PDT

    To be fair chipotle burritos are the size of a toddler and if youre able to finish one you certainly need all of those 1040 calories because youve probably havent eaten in a while.

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  • Courtney's Avatar
    Posted by Courtney Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:40am PDT

    omg i cant belive it wooooooooooooooooooooooooowwoooooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwowwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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