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They are ubiquitous entities scattered around the American gastronomic landscape. But chain restaurants Applebees, The Cheesecake Factory and Sbarro among them offer filling, fattening and unhealthy fare. Following are some examples, according to MSNBC.
Lets start at breakfast. If it is indeed the most important meal of the day, you might think twice about breaking bread at The Cheesecake Factory, where French toast and a side of bacon will cost you 2,400 calories (it takes 3, 500 calories to gain one pound). Although it might taste delicious its chock full of 71 grams of saturated fat, 3,542 milligrams of sodium and 183 grams of carbohydrates. Talk about a sugar, salt and fat trifecta.
IHOPs Colorado Omelet has 1,890 calories, 4,200 milligrams of sodium, 130 grams of carbohydrates and 47 grams of saturated fat. Maybe you can order a poached egg instead?
Considering lunch at Sbarro? Think about the fact that one slice of its stuffed pepperoni pizza contains 42 grams of fat, 3,200 milligrams of sodium, and 960 calories. Perhaps you should consider having a salad instead.
While Applebees menus do contain some healthier fare, if you go the burger route take note of the fact that its quesadilla burger contains 104 grams of fat (of which 43 grams are saturated fat), 4,000 milligrams of sodium and 1,420 calories. At least skip the fries and dessert?
If youre working up an appetite while out holiday shopping at the mall or wherever big chain restaurants are lurking think about the food options you might have in your own refrigerator. Youll save money and youll very likely eat healthier. Plus there are recipes on the web that can replicate fast food items but with far fewer calories and much less salt. Cheaper too in both the long and short run.
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