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Unhealthy restaurant chains are not establishments folks would want to frequent if focusing on a well-balanced diet.

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Shutterstock/Cracker Barrel/Chili’s/Applebee’s

That said, with some planning and preparation, it’s possible to enjoy a guilt-free restaurant dining experience.

This dish gets the benefit of extra protein from the one-two punch of shrimp and sausage included.

With enough toppings, however, nachos often qualify as an entree of choice for diners.

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Applebee’s

Still, there’s more to measuring an unhealthy dish than one simple metric like calories.

By themselves, a 6-count of Crispers comes in at 1,190 calories and 3,980 mg of sodium.

That’s almost three times the daily recommended amount of sodium.

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Buffalo Wild Wings

If you want to avoid the unhealthiest menu items at Cracker Barrel, steer clear of the fried food.

However, when in Rome, one orders a stack of pancakes.

That triple whammy of pasta dishes contributes to its higher calories, saturated fat, sodium, and carbohydrates.

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Cheesecake Factory

Those figures do not even include the two side dishes you’re able to add to your meal.

From sirloin to filets, Texas Roadhouse is essentially a meat lover’s paradise.

That aforementioned sirloin can also come fried in the form of Texas Roadhouse’s Country Fried Sirloin.

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Chili’s

If you want a leaner meal, opt for a sirloin that hasn’t been deep-fried.

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Cracker Barrel

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IHOP

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Olive Garden

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Outback Steakhouse

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Red Robin

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Texas Roadhouse