by Brynn Mannino
We recently created a list of " Fast-Food Items You Should Never Eat," but stacked burgers, extra-large sandwiches and loaded platters only account for some of the fast-food calories you're likely to consume. Often, it's your drink selection that turns a meal from a small indulgence into a caloric nightmare. Not only are the extra-large sodas dreadful for your waistline-a 64-oz soda from KFC, for example, can have as many as 850 calories-but specialty drinks, from White Castle's chocolate shake to Subway's iced tea, are also shockingly caloric. Find out which are some of the worst diet-derailing drinks around, so you know what to steer clear of on your next trip through the drive-thru.
White Castle: Chocolate Shake
Calories: 1350
Despite being served in whopping 44-oz. portions, this ice cream drink offered in the Cincinnati area (yes, White Castle changes its ingredients by region), may sound relatively innocent. But slurp on this: You're better off eating 10 original sliders, which have the same amount of calories, but nearly four times less saturated fat.
Wendy's: Caramel Frosty Shake
Calories: 1020
Made with the chain's signature Vanilla Frosty mix, this flavor ups the ante with caramel sauce and whipped cream, costing you as many calories as three (yes, three!) Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers.
Burger King: Strawberry Shake
Calories: 930
Thanks to milk, strawberry syrup, numerous miscellaneous ingredients (none of which include fresh strawberries), and the sheer volume of this 30-oz. beverage, sipping a large strawberry shake from the BK Lounge is akin to eating almost three Whopper JR.'s!
Calories: 890 to 940
No matter what flavor (OREO, mango or banana) you choose when ordering a 20-oz. ice cream shake from this popular restaurant, rest assured you'll get your calories' worth. In fact, you'll get more than if you had ordered a 12-oz. rib eye (one of the fattiest cuts of beef around).
Red Lobster: The Traditional Lobsterita
Calories: 890
Despite serving fish, which is traditionally thought of as a leaner option, Red Lobster certainly doesn't shy away from high-calorie menu items, like their signature 24-oz. frozen margarita (made with Sauza Gold Tequila margarita mix), boasting as many calories as two orders of fried flounder.
Dunkin' Donuts: Vanilla Bean Coolatta
Calories: 860
Don't let the word "Coolatta" (and all its light and refreshing connotations) fool you. When you sip on a large serving of this 32-oz. slush drink, you might as well have eaten more than two of the restaurant's Boston Kreme Donuts.
Calories: 770
To be fair, this drink's very name (ahem, "Moo") warns of indulgence. Boasting calcium-packed yogurt, bananas and chunky peanut butter, this 24-oz. smoothie does have some nutritional value, but not enough to account for nearly half your daily calorie consumption.
Make your own smoothie at home with these super-simple recipes.
Dairy Queen: Strawberry Lemonade Chiller
Calories: 740
Even if you pass on the ice cream at the popular shake shack, tread carefully! This 31-oz. mix of lemonade, frozen strawberries and sugar has as many calories as most medium-size DQ malts, made with soft-serve ice cream.
Subway: Sweetened Tea
Calories: 310-620
Needless to say, we doubt the 245-pounds-thinner Subway spokesman, Jared, would approve of the hoagie hub's 40-oz. brewed tea option. The refreshment has more calories than its 6-in. Meatball Marinara sub, and only 10 calories less than a foot-long Subway Club.
Article originally appeared on WomansDay.com.
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