This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.
Our teamof licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.
Restaurants want you to return, so they want their food to be delicious.
Photos: The brands. Design: Eat This, Not That!
What are the risks of high-calorie restaurant meals?
For starters, the amount of calories you consume each day does matter.
But the amount of calories you consume isn’t the only thing that matters.
TGI Fridays
It’s also thetypeof calories.
What makes a restaurant meal “unhealthy”?
Many chain restaurant meals far exceed these limits.
TGI Fridays
That’s why theAHAsuggests women stick to no more than 25 grams per day and men to 36 grams.
Read on, then check outThe #1 Unhealthiest Order at 30 Fast-Food Chains.
The extraordinarily high sugar content is also nothing to scoff at.
Red Lobster
If you need a lighter breakfast option at McDonald’s, try theClassic Egg McMuffin.
Take theChicken Tenders Platter from Applebee’sas an example.
If it’s a burger you’re craving, stick to theirSingle Cheeseburgerfor only 590 calories.
On The Border Mexican Grill and Cantina/Facebook
You’re way better off skipping this one altogether and getting a dish that’s way less fried.
After all, it’s not fried and has plenty of protein.
But be careful with theBone-in RibeyefromTexas Roadhouse.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Although it’s not deep-fried, it still has almost 1,500 total calories.
Even more shocking is the 44 grams of saturated fat, more than three times your daily limit.
The 70 grams of saturated fat, which is more than five times the daily recommended max!
Friendly’s
Instead of the Chicken Alfredo, try one of thesehealthier Olive Garden dishesnext time you’re at this chain.
For a lighter-calorie option at Uno, try one of theirthin-crust pizzasinstead.
This feast gives you more than 1,600 calories and one of the highest sodium counts in our entire list.
IHOP
But obviously it’s the 1,670 calories that clinched this dish a spot on our list.
What Happened to Chipotle?
Out of all of their calorie-laden meal choices, theFried Catfish Dinneris the worst by far.
Denny’s
It doesn’t stop there, though.
You’re getting almost double the daily recommended sodium limit and a scary-high fat count of 100 grams.
Not to mention the 48 grams of saturated fat, which is almost four times the recommended daily limit.
McDonald’s
Always try for grilled fish options instead, or skip the fries when you’re able to.
If you’re watching your calorie intake, skip theChicken Parmesan Sandwichwhen you’re at The Cheesecake Factory.
Applebee’s
Olive Garden
Applebee’s
Chili’s
Denny’s
Outback Steakhouse
Chipotle
Applebee’s
Longhorn Steakhouse
IHOP
Texas Roadhouse
Friendly’s
Applebee’s
Friendly’s
Outback Steakhouse
Olive Garden
The Cheesecake Factory
Olive Garden
Friendly’s
Bonefish Grill
UNO
Red Lobster
Cracker Barrel
Chili’s
Chili’s
O’Charley’s
Red Lobster
The Cheesecake Factory
Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory
Olive Garden
On the Border
The Cheesecake Factory
Red Robin
Chili’s
Buffalo Wild Wings
The Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory
Uno Pizzeria & Grill
The Cheesecake Factory
