Discover which popular restaurant dishes can skyrocket your daily salt intake in just one meal.
Have you ever wondered about the sodium content in your go-to restaurant meal? According to the American Heart Association, adults should ideally limit their sodium intake to 1,500 mg a day, with an absolute cap of 2,300 mg. However, many dining chains serve meals that surpass these limits in a single sitting. Surprisingly, it’s not just the indulgent burgers that are the culprits—seemingly healthier options can also pack a sodium punch. Here are five meals from popular chain restaurants that significantly exceed recommended sodium levels.
At Texas Roadhouse, the Bacon Cheeseburger offers a staggering 2,410 mg of sodium. This hearty burger comes with bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion, all nestled in a bun and served with steak fries and a pickle spear. While that’s quite a sodium hit, it pales in comparison to their Grilled Shrimp Dinner, which contains a jaw-dropping 4,520 mg of sodium for just 12 shrimp.
Texas Roadhouse Bacon Cheeseburger
The Bacon Cheeseburger at Texas Roadhouse contains a whopping 2,410 mg of sodium per burger. This menu item is made with bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion served on a bun with steak fries and a pickle spear. As high in sodium as the cheeseburger is, it’s nothing compared to the Grilled Shrimp Dinner (12 Shrimp), which contains 4,520 mg of sodium.
Chili’s Buffalo Big Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Chili’s Buffalo Big Crispy Chicken Sandwich is packed with sodium: 3400 mg to be exact. This item is made with hand-battered crispy chicken tossed in Buffalo sauce with pickles and a side of house-made ranch. That’s not all—the sandwich is served with white cheddar mac & cheese and fries for a huge meal.
Domino’s Spicy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza
Domino’s Spicy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza contains 1410 mg of sodium per serving (1/8 of an XL pizza). Then there’s the sides: One order of Hot Buffalo Wings contains 1520 mg of sodium. That’s just four pieces!
Applebee’s Breadsticks with Alfredo Sauce
Applebee’s Breadsticks with Alfredo Sauce contains 2570 mg of sodium per serving. Then there’s the Hot Honey Glazed Chicken & Bacon Skillet: This sliced grilled chicken breast menu item contains 3,400 mg of sodium. Adding salad dressing will up the sodium.
Outback Steakhouse Hot Kookaburra Wings
The 10-count Hot Kookaburra Wings at Outback Steakhouse contain 4470 mg of sodium, but the Sweet BBQ Wings have even more at 5170 mg. Both pale in comparison to the Aussie Cheese Fries, which somehow contain 9330 mg of sodium. Crikey!