In the fright film "Poltergeist," seemingly harmless spirits dish up a load of horrible happenings. The same could be said for the restaurant food you think is okay — but is actually a heart-stopping nutritional nightmare.
According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a Chipotle chicken burrito with tortilla, rice, pinto beans, cheese, chicken, sour cream, and salsa serves up 1,020 calories and 16 grams of saturated fat. That's equal to six Taco Bell chicken soft tacos!
Solution: No mas flour tortilla, sour cream, or cheese. Instead, add avocados for a healthy treat!
The American Heart Association says a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet should include just 11 to 13 grams of saturated fat.
Think McDonald’s is bad for you? Well, it is. But then again, a plain hamburger from Five Guys Burgers and Fries has 700 calories, compared to 520 in a Big Mac, plus 20 grams of saturated fat. Large fries, no ketchup, a horrifying 1,314 calories. (Mickey D's is 500.)
Solution: A veggie sandwich with 440 calories and 6 grams of saturated fat. Skip the fries. Even the small size has 526 calories.
Think Mediterranean food is always healthy? Olive Garden's Tour of Italy (that's lasagna, chicken parmesan, and fettuccine Alfredo) could knock over the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It has 1,450 calories and 33 grams of saturated fat.
Solution: A bowl of Zuppa Toscana (220 calories, 5 grams sat fat), roasted parmesan asparagus (80 calories, 1 gram sat fat), and chicken meatballs (260 calories and 3 grams sat fat).
So, when you eat out, remember the famous line from "Poltergeist," and watch out for unhealthy foods, because "They're here."
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