Dietitian reveals the 8 dishes you should NEVER order at a steakhouse – including the appetizer with as much salt as TEN portions of french fries
Steakhouses across the US are visited every week by people looking to celebrate.
But nutritionists have sounded the alarm over the shocking amounts of calories, fat and salt packed into some of the country’s best-loved meals.
An analysis of the nutritional content of dozens of meals served at your favorite steakhouses has found that some beloved dishes contain as much salt as six packs of McDonald’s fries, and more than your entire daily calorie intake.
Experts say this could pose problems for people with heart disease and diabetes, as well as those who need to lose weight for health reasons.
“With loads of butter, salt, and toppings like bacon or cheese, your calorie, sodium, and fat levels can steadily increase before your entree has even arrived,” warned Lauren Manaker, a South Carolina dietitian, in a report for nutrition website, Eat this, not thatwho performed the analysis.
Here are the eight worst offenders:
Texas Roadhouse: Ribeye 12oz and ribs
This entree weighs in at 1150 calories, 111 g of fat and 2040 mg of sodium.
By comparison, a traditional double-patty hamburger contains about 350 calories, according to the USDA. That’s just over a third of the calories of Roadhouse Ribeye.
‘2/3 of the calories come exclusively from fat. Some studies have shown that excessive dietary fat, especially saturated fat, in the diet is associated with an increased risk of heart disease,” Mackenzie Burgess, a registered dietitian nurse, wrote in the report.
Outback Steakhouse: Bloomin’ Onions
This entree contains a whopping 1,620 calories – just 380 less than a woman’s total recommended daily intake – 126 g of fat and 4,140 mg of sodium.
For comparison: a large portion of McDonald’s fries contains about 400 milligrams of salt. So you would have to eat roughly 10 packs of McDonalds fries to reach the amount of salt in this dish.
Too much salt risks raising blood pressure to harmful levels, which can increase the risk of heart disease.
Michelle Rauch, a registered dietitian nurse who specializes in clinical nutrition, noted that the calorie count is especially concerning because it is only an appetizer. “That’s 1,620 calories alone before you even get to your entree,” she said.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse: Cowboy Ribeye
With Ruth Chris’ Cowboy Ribeye you get 1690 calories, 147 grams of fat and 1180 mg of sodium. That would be like eating three Big Macs, each containing about 590 calories.
It also weighs 12 ounces, which is four times the daily recommended amount of red meat, according to Eat This, Not That.
Too much red meat in the diet has been linked to certain cancers and an increased risk of heart disease.
Sizzler: BBQ ribs (6 bones)
Sizzlers BBQ Ribs contain 1,870 calories, 145 g fat and 20,050 mg sodium.
That makes them more than eight times your daily recommended sodium level, according to the FDA.
Additionally, the amount of saturated fat — the type most dangerous to heart health — is nearly four times the daily limit recommended by the American Heart Association.
The Captial Grille: signature cheeseburger
One Capital Grille Signature Cheeseburger contains 940 calories, 58 g of fat and 1750 mg of sodium.
This makes this steakhouse cheeseburger contain just over 75 percent of the daily recommended amount of sodium as recommended by the American Heart Association (2,300 milligrams) for most Americans, and 16 percent more of the recommended amount for those suffering from medical conditions such as high blood pressure. , diabetes and heart or kidney disease,” Rauch said.
Claim jumper: Chicken Pot Pie
Claim Jumper’s Chicken Pot Pie may seem like a lighter option than red meat, but according to registered dietitian nurse Alyssa Simpson, that’s not the case.
“Usually made with a buttery crust and a creamy filling, rich in butter and whipped cream, this dish provides a whopping 2,120 calories and contains more than 140 grams of fat.”
One serving contains more than a woman’s entire daily calorie intake — and is the energy equivalent of four Chik-fil-A fried chicken sandwiches, each containing 466 calories.
Logan’s Roadhouse: Beer Battered Onion Rings
With 1,410 calories, 124 grams of fat and 4,177 mg of sodium, these onion rings contain more than half of your daily calorie intake before you even reach the entrees.
They contain 20 grams of saturated fat, which is more than the 13 grams per day recommended by the American Heart Association and the equivalent of four Krispy Kreme donuts.
LongHorn Steakhouse: Texas Brisket Nachos
This location-limited entrée provides 2,040 calories, 130 g of fat, and 4,070 mg of sodium.
This is another dish that sends the salty scales into unfavorable territory.
For comparison, you would need to eat about seven bags of Lays potato chips, each containing 607 mg of sodium, to achieve the same amount of salt you would get from this dish.