The Conversation
Fast food is a beast like no other. Sometimes it is too difficult to avoid, even for the healthiest of the health nuts (there’s only so many options when out ‘n’ about and on the go). As obesity has become a huge issue in America, with the FLOTUS even making it her mission to end childhood obesity, many organizations and restaurants have pledged to do what they can to stop contributing to it. Over the years, chain restaurants have started to scrap their Super Size Me ways and even begun offering smaller portions. Still, many of the meals at some of our favorite guilty pleasures would be lying if they called themselves healthy — but just *how* unhealthy are they?
1. Chipotle: Although a lot of the food at the Mexican grill is locally sourced and nutritious, the meals as a whole are huge portions — you’ve seen them pack a burrito. All that guac and cheese adds up eventually.
2. Shake Shack: Even if you go with a single patty burger instead of the standard two, all the toppings (cheese on cheese, fries and a milkshake obviously) will make this an over 1,000 calorie meal.
3. Starbucks: Yeah, that daily Frappuccino you’re picking up is not exactly a green smoothie.
4. P.F. Chang’s: Although 2,000 calories at this bistro can get you multiple plates, there’s some serious sodium lurking in there.
5. McDonald’s: Maybe just stick to an order of the Dollar Menu fries at the Golden Arches and you could come out shining. Maybe.
6. Olive Garden: Not gonna lie, we could probably hit the 2,000 calorie intake goal on this Italian chain’s breadsticks alone.
7. Cheesecake Factory: You could without a doubt get a week’s worth of calories from the book-size menu at this multi-cuisine chain. Don’t even allow yourself to go down that rabbit hole.
8. Subway: Out of all of the chains pictured, Subway’s 2,000 calorie spread looks a lot like, well, an entire day’s worth of food. Who knows, maybe this IS exactly how Jared did lose all that weight.
9. Ruth’s Chris Steak House: What’s better than a steak and a martini? Your waistline, right? Um, or how about your heart health. Eek.
10. IHOP: Although breakfast is the most important meal of the day, we don’t think filling up on your day’s calorie intake with a meal like this one is the way to go.
11. Sonic: Want to know something sad and scary? You can top the calorie chart with only a shake from this drive-in. So good it hurts. Seriously.
12. Burger King: “Would you like to make that a combo?” That question will now be haunting our nightmares after learning how many calories are in the King’s numbered combo meals.
13. Wendy’s: Is it really any surprise that adding a loaded baked potato to a meal, especially at a fast food chain, would catapult you over your daily intake? We didn’t think so.
14. Pizza Hut: All these two-piece treats look more like samples than an actual meal, right? Maybe skip this pizza house and bust out the pizza stone at home.
At Home: Of course, you could always make everything at home and be much healthier (and save money), while filling those plates. Why not look through some of our favorite recipes to get you started?
Are you planning on sticking to at home eating after these findings? Let us know in the comments.
(h/t NY Times + images via Tony Cenicola)
More From Healthy Eating
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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