Cheesecake Factory wins another Xtreme Eating Award, with Cracker Barrel, Jimmy John’s, and Topgolf winning first-time awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cheesecake Factory’s Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are the 21^st menu item from that chain to receive one of the Xtreme Eating Awards from the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The organization has given the awards for bad food to America’s restaurant chains since 2007.

The pancakes from The Cheesecake Factory have a day’s worth of calories, 2,040; two-and-a-half days’ worth of saturated fat, 51 grams; more than a day’s worth of sodium, 2,950 milligrams; and almost three-days’ worth of added sugar. It contains 137 grams of total sugar, which CSPI estimates is all or nearly all added sugar.

These kinds of meals help explain why two out of three American adults and one out of three children and teens are overweight or obese, said Lindsay Moyer, senior nutritionist for CSPI.

“Pancakes with syrup or cheeseburgers are never a health food, but it seems like The Cheesecake Factory, Chili’s, and other chains are trying to outdo each other to make them worse,” said Moyer. “With a third of our calories eaten away from home, restaurant meals warp our perspective of what constitutes a normal serving, and contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems.”

Among the other 2019 Xtreme Eating Awards are:

Topgolf’s Injectable Doughnut Holes: The driving range/sports bar chain encourages diners to use plastic syringes to inject chocolate, raspberry jelly, and/or Bavarian cream goo into each “hole.” With a day’s worth of calories, 1,970; nearly two days’ worth of saturated fat, 37 grams; nearly a day’s worth of sodium, 1,880 m.g.; and two days’ worth of added sugar, it’s like eating four Burger King Double Cheeseburgers plus a large Coke.

Jimmy John’s Giant Gargantuan: This 16-inch sub has salami, capicola, turkey, roast beef, ham, provolone cheese, onion, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and oil and vinegar – and a day’s worth of calories, 2,190, plus a day and a half’s saturated fat, 29 grams. And with more than three days’ worth of sodium, 7,720 m.g., it’s by far the saltiest of the 2019 winners. It’s like eating three Subway Cold Cut Combo footlong subs, according to CSPI.

Chili’s The Boss Burger: “Five meats. One burger. 100% Boss” is how the chain introduced this item in a press release. With smoked brisket, rib meat, jalapeño-cheddar smoked sausage, bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, BBQ sauce, and ranch dressing, this burger plus fries has a day’s worth of calories, 2,020; more than two days’ worth of saturated fat, 47 grams; and nearly two days’ worth of sodium, 3,900 m.g. It’s like eating three McDonald’s Triple Cheeseburgers plus a large order of fries.

To put the numbers for 2019 into context, a day’s worth of calories is 2,000, a day’s worth of sodium is 2,300 milligrams, a day’s worth of saturated fat is 20 grams, and a day’s worth of added sugar is 50 grams. Sodium and added sugars are only listed for Xtreme Eating winners if they contain at least half a day’s worth or more.

CSPI’s “it’s like eating” comparisons are based on the nutrients listed for each winner.

Are these the worst chain restaurant meals in America? No, says CSPI.

“Although the 2019 Xtreme Eating winners are nutritional nightmares, plenty of other dishes are as bad or worse,” she said. “The good news is that all chains with 20 or more outlets are now required to list calories on menus and menu boards, and expanded nutrition information upon request.”

See the full list of the eight 2019 Xtreme Eating winners, which includes items from Sonic, Cracker Barrel, Maggiano’s, and Dave & Buster’s.

Comments

[Jennifer]

Wow. And not a single one of those options sounds appetizing.

[Rita]

Hi Jennifer,

I agree. Most aren't appealing. However, if I went to the Cheesecake Factory with my family, I'd try the cinnamon roll pancakes, but would split it with someone. My goal daily is not to eat sugary food, but once in a while I have a sugar treat, including homemade peach pie during the summer.

Rita

[Baby_boomster]

In California, chain restaurants have to post their calorie counts and it's so alarming. What you thought was a healthy salad takes up your entire day's budget. I love Maggianno's but taking home an extra dinner usually lasts for a week of meals.

[Rita]

Hi Rebecca,

I don't know why chain restaurants keep serving such huge meals. The calorie posting requirement is now nationwide.

Some local restaurants are also serving huge meals. I recently went with my daughter, who was visiting from Madrid, to a Thai restaurant I hadn't been to in a couple of years. The servings were huge, including for rice, which was half to twice as big as the usual bowl of white rice you get at a Thai or Chinese restaurant.

Rita

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