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Uncover the hidden health pitfalls lurking in some of the most popular chain restaurant appetizers, notorious for their high levels of fat and sodium.
While dining out at your favorite chain restaurants, it’s easy to overlook how unhealthy some of these seemingly harmless appetizers can be. These starters, not even the main courses, can pack in days’ worth of calories, fat, and sodium. It’s not about denying yourself the occasional indulgence; rather, it’s about being informed so you can choose to enjoy these dishes in moderation or share them with others. Here are five of the most calorific and sodium-laden appetizers currently on offer at chain restaurants.
Appearances can be deceiving, especially with vegetable-based dishes. Take the Bloomin’ Onion from Outback Steakhouse, for example. While undeniably tasty, this dish carries a hefty nutritional punch with approximately 1,950 calories, 155 grams of fat, a staggering 56 grams of saturated fat, and nearly 4,000 milligrams of sodium. It might be wise to consider splitting this deep-fried appetizer among friends or skipping it entirely.
The Bloomin’ Onion
The Cheesecake Factory’s Fried Macaroni and Cheese is another dish that might surprise you with its nutritional content. This indulgent appetizer contains about 1,310 calories, 96 grams of fat, 47 grams of saturated fat, and close to 2,140 milligrams of sodium. These deep-fried, cheesy carbohydrate bombs are packed with calories and sodium, making it essential to think twice before ordering.
Fried Macaroni and Cheese
With a shockingly high fat content, The Cheesecake Factory’s Fried Macaroni and Cheese is about 1,310 calories, 96g of fat, 47g of saturated fat, and almost 2,140mg of sodium. These deep fried, cheesy balls full of carbs are heavy on the calories, sodium, and frankly everything, so be aware before ordering.
Neighborhood Nachos with Beef
Applebee’s Neighborhood Nachos with Beef is another that will set you back. This appetizer has about 2,000 calories, 127g of fat, 57g of saturated fat, and around 5,000mg of sodium. None of it’s healthy, but that fat content and level of sodium are shockingly high, and certainly something to be aware of when ordering.
Texas Cheese Fries
Chili’s Large Texas Cheese Fries might be tasty, but you’ll be looking at about 1,800 calories, 122g of fat, 51g of saturated fat, and around 5,000mg of sodium. Again, similar to the nachos from Applebee’s, the fat content and level of sodium is astronomical for one day, let alone one meal.
The Cactus Blossom
As a long time fan of Texas Roadhouse, I can confidently say their food is delicious. While many items taste good, an appetizer with this amount of calories, fat, and sodium is certainly something to be well aware of before ordering. The Cactus Blossom (essentially their version of a blooming onion) will set you back about 2,250 calories, 135g of fat, 26g of saturated fat, and around 5,000mg of sodium.