The 20 worst foods in America

http://www.menshealth.com/20worst/worstfood.html




2,900 calories
182 g fat 240 g carbs

"Even if you split this "starter" with three friends, you'll have downed a dinner's worth of calories before your entree arrives. Follow this up with a steak, sides, and a dessert and you could easily break the 3,500 calorie barrier."

That may comprise more fat than I consume in a week. Betcha it is tasty though. Especially around bar time.

"Outback Aussie Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing"

From the picture I was assuming Mac and Cheese. 2900 Calories divided by 50 gives us 58 Weight Watchers Points. So for an average smallish woman, she should be able to live for 3 days on this one dish. For me, not quite 2 days.

I doubt if Mac and Cheese is quite so caloric.

F

Right or wrong, I have never counted calories but pay strict attention to fat, cholesterol and sodium content. And that is one of the many reasons why I avoid large chain restaurants.

I'd much rather have a big Russet, cut in wedges, by me. A little EVOO, salt and pepper, roasted at high heat, turn once, nice and brown around the edges-----EAT! Can't stand those WIMPY, soggy fries!

Now that is an impressive list of food-like concoctions!! It's pretty amazing to see the calorie and fat content of some of this stuff. You always knew these things were bad for you, but wow!!!

Keep in mind that this reportage comes from a magazine for anorexic male model wannabees.

No, you shouldn't eat these foods every day. But I object to their blanket condemnation of fun, if highly caloric, food. There is nothing wrong with any of these as an occasional treat.

-Paul W.

Keep in mind that this reportage comes from a magazine for anorexic male model wannabees.

No, you shouldn't eat these foods every day. But I object to their blanket condemnation of fun, if highly caloric, food. There is nothing wrong with any of these as an occasional treat.

-Paul W.

Can't say I've never indulged in any of them, and the "get the sausage flatbread instead of the deep dish pizza" advice seemed a bit unrealistic. But still, those calorie and fat levels are really something.

Wow.
I feel like barfing just from looking at the pictures.

Frank - is that all there is to the WW points thing? Calories per serving / 50 ?
I thought the fiber grams came into play somehow.

John, when you join weight watchers nowadays you get a cardboard "slide rule" that lets you calculate the fudge factor for the fiber and the fats. But what it boils down to is Calories divided by 50, plus minus a few percent. I've gotten lazy and I don't pull out the slide rule because mostly I just get the same number using the quick rule of thumb.

Frank

Damn. Nachos are bad for you ?

Damn. Nachos are bad for you ?

Celia, read the subject line.... only if you are in the States! You're safe, girlfriend!

LOL !! You'll all have to go overseas to eat them, then. Or to Mexico !

Why the heck are those chips called "Outback Aussie Fries", I wonder ? Firstly, we'd never call them fries (hot chips), secondly, we would never put cheese on chips (salt and vinegar, maybe), and thirdly, we've never had anything called Ranch dressing.

Am I hopeless because my mouth is watering?

Cheese, Potatoes, Fat...Mmm.

Why the heck are those chips called "Outback Aussie Fries", I wonder ? Firstly, we'd never call them fries (hot chips), secondly, we would never put cheese on chips (salt and vinegar, maybe), and thirdly, we've never had anything called Ranch dressing.

"Outback" is a chain restaurant here in the USA, with an erstaz Australian theme. No connection whatsoever with anything that they might or might not really eat in Oz.

These sort of "theme restaurants" are popular in the States. In retaliation, I've seen fake American restaurants and bars in Paris. Most amusing.

Ranch dressing is a salad dressing (or salad cream, for the Brit-oriented) that is popular among some folks here in the USA. I'm not a devotee, and I don't know what's in it, except that it's a pretty high-calorie concoction. It apparently originated on some cattle ranch somewhere in California, hence the name. Ranch dressing flavor (or maybe that should be raunch dressing?) is popular for corn chips, and in other settings, besides as a salad dressing.

It's typical of the cultural dissonance present in USA theme restaurants that a supposedly Aussie restaurant such as Outback would offer concoctions with ranch dressing.

-Paul W.

[Ranch dressing is a salad dressing (or salad cream, for the Brit-oriented) that is popular among some folks here in the USA. I'm not a devotee, and I don't know what's in it,

Mayonnaise. Buttermilk. "Secret" blend of herbs and spices.
Its popularity confounds me.
The kids put it on everything. They even dip their pizza in it, which turns my stomach.

It was actually created at a guest ranch just outside Santa Barbara, in a place called Hidden Valley.
The original version, known as Hidden Valley Ranch, is now owned and marketed by the same company that owns Clorox bleach.
Go figure.

There really IS a Hidden Valley? Huh, I thought it was like Aunt Jemima, a corporate construct. Learn something every day here!

Can I assume that I wouldn't want to go there to eat?

There's no Aunt Jemima?
Who's been taking care of Uncle Ben all these years?

There's no Aunt Jemima?
Who's been taking care of Uncle Ben all these years?

Betty Crocker.

There really IS a Hidden Valley?

This is actually in South Africa. There's a winery called Hidden Valley. The sign cracked me up when I first saw it. Turns out the valley and the winery are owned by Dave Hidden.

Why does this remind me of Firesign Theatre's "The Golden Hind"?

I do not agree with Paul. There is something wrong when this type of industrial swill actually appeals to people. One should set higher standards. I have no objection to eating high fat, high calorie foods. But when it is low quality junk food designed for people to act like children and not think about their choices, it encourages irresponsible habits.

BTW, I have no objection to the 20 oz steak, which the diner has the option to bring home as leftovers.

I do not agree with Paul. There is something wrong when this type of industrial swill actually appeals to people. One should set higher standards. I have no objection to eating high fat, high calorie foods. But when it is low quality junk food designed for people to act like children and not think about their choices, it encourages irresponsible habits.

In the end, though, it's none of our business. Suppose someone decides that the things we enjoy, wine drinking, for instance, is an irresponsible habit?

John, that's absolutely true, but we can point fingers and laugh. Mockery is a powerful social remedy.

[Robin Garr]

Mockery is a powerful social remedy.

Oh, yeah? Says you!