As the US battles an obesity epidemic, a Cheesecake Factory bistro shrimp pasta dish has more than 3,000 calories - or more than a day and a half of the recommended caloric intake for an average adult.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a consumer-focused nonprofit group that promotes healthier eating, compiles an annual list of "food porn" to warn consumers of the calorie and fat content in popular food dishes at mainstream restaurant chains.
For the last six years, the CSPI has released Xtreme Eating Awards winners in its Nutrition Action Health letter.
The Cheesecake Factory's Bistro Shrimp Pasta, made with a butter and cream sauce and topped with battered, fried shrimp, has 3,120 calories and 89 grams of saturated fat and 1,090 milligrams of sodium, said CSPI, which said it confirmed nutritional data with companies on the list.
Cheesecake Factory said that dish has 3,020 calories, 79 grams of saturated fat and 1,076 milligrams of sodium.
Meanwhile, the adults are advised to consume no more than 20 grams of saturated fat and 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day.
"It's like eating three orders of Olive Garden's Lasagna Classico plus an order of tiramisu for dinner," CSPI said. Some in the food and beverage industries have dubbed the Washington-based group the "food police."
The Cheesecake Factory's Bistro Shrimp Pasta has more calories than 5 and a half McDonald's Big Mac's. Also at the same restaurant, their Crispy Chicken Costoletta also made the list at 2,610 calories per dish, the equivalent of an entire 12-piece bucket of Original Recipe KFC, CSPI reported.
Among the most 'Xtreme Eating' plates were IHOP's Country Fried Steak & Eggs at 1,760 calories, Johnny Rockets' Bacon Cheddar Double burger at 1,770 calories, The Deep Dish Macaroni & 3-Cheese at Uno Chicago Grill with 1,980 calories and Smoothie King's Peanut Power Plus Grape Smoothie at 1,460.
