So. My mother brought me a book this weekend that (I think) she got from my sister. It’s called “Eat This, Not That!” I had never heard of it before and I had no idea what it was about – and thus far – I am enthralled by what it is telling me and showing me. There are oodles of pages that compare all sorts of food options – namely the one thing I have struggled with for the past few years: eating out.

I don’t know the ins and otus of the website -and I am still working my way through the book – but I’ve learned so much already. For instance, the top 20 WORST foods in America are below (according to and based on the book’s research). I’m ashamed to say I’ve eaten more of them than I should have. I’m eager to use this book the next time I go out or eat in, even, and buy groceries.

20 Worst Foods in America

20. Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips w/ Ranch Sauce (McDonald’s) -Worst Fast Food Chicken Meal

830 Calories/55g of fat/4.5g of trans fat/48g of carbs

Switching your meal choice to the ‘old standard’ of McD’s 6 piece w/ BBQ sauce saves you 530 calories!

19. Chocolate Moo’d Power Smooth/30 fl oz. (Jamba Juice) -Worst Drink

900 Calories/ 10g of fat/ 183g of carbs/ 166g of sugar

This drink contains as much sugar as 2 pints of Ben and Jerry’s Butter Pecan Ice Cream!

18. Pepperidge Farm Roasted Chicken Pot Pie (whole pie)-Worse Supermarket Meal

1020 calories/64g fat/86g carbs

The book suggest an alternative in Swanson’s pot pie – it only has 400 calories.

17. Bella Turkey Burger (Ruby Tuesday)-Worst “Healthy” burger

1145 calories/71g fat/56g carbs

Deceptive,as the Turkey name would imply it’s healthier. Few burgers at Ruby’s came in lower than 1000 calories!

16. Mexican Grilled Chicken Burrito (Chipotle)-Worst Mexican Entree

1107 calories/44g fat/113g carbs/2656mg sodium

The healthy and fresh ingredients boasted by the chain are overshadowed by its king-size burritos, over-stuffed tacos and gigantic salads and portions.

15. Double Macaroni ‘n’ Cheese (Macaroni Grill)-Worst Kid’s Meal

1210 calories/62g fat/3450 mg sodium

Its equal to eating 1.5 boxes of Kraft mac ‘n’ cheese. Best option at the restaurant is the Grilled Chicken and Broccoli – it’s only 390 calories.

14. Chicken Carbonara – Large (Quizno’s)-Worst Sandwich

1510 calories/82g fat/106g carbs/3750mg sodium

The book recommends the obvious choice of either ordering a small sandwich or save half for later. Even a large homemade sandwich would provide about 500 calories.

13. Grande Taco Salad w/ Taco Beef (On the Border)-Worst Salad

1450 calories/102g fat/78g carbs/2410mg sodium

Many of the restaurant’s SALADS come in at over 1100 calories!

12. Double Six Dollar Burger (Carl’s Jr/Hardee’s)-Worst Burger

1520 calories/111g fat

Solution: the Low Carb Six Dollar Burger has just 490 calories.

11. 20 oz. T-Bone (Lonestar)-Worst Steak

1540 calories/124g fat

Adding a baked potato and Lonestar’s signature Lettuce Wedge and the meal explodes to a 2700 calorie intake!

10. Caramel Banana Pecan Cream Stacked and Stuffed Hotcakes (Bob Evans)-Worst Breakfast

1540 calories/77g fat/9g trans fat/198g carbs/109g sugar

Eating FIVE Egg McMuffins will yield the same caloric cost as this menu option!

9. Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie w/ Vanilla Ice Cream (Chili’s)-Worst Dessert

1600 calories/78g fat/215g carbs

This desert, and supposed meal cap, is equal to THREE Big Macs!

8. Pork Lo Mein (P.F. Chang’s)-Worst Chinese Entree

1820 calories/127g fat/95g carbs

You’d need FIVE servings of pasta to match the carb intake of this dish.

7. Honey Chipotle Crispers w/ Chipotle Sauce (Chili’s)-Worst Chicken Entree

2040 calories/99g fat/240g carbs

The Swap: eating the Chicken Fajita Pita takes in only 450 calories and 43g of protein – pegged as one of the healthiest entrees in a chain restaurant.

6. Dos XX Fish Tacos w/ Rice and Beans (On the Border)-Worst Fish Entree

2100 calories/130g fat/169g carbs/4750mg sodium

A dozen crunchy tacos from Taco Bell would be fewer calories.

5. Chicago Classic Deep Dish Pizza (Uno Chicago Grill)-Worst Pizza

2310 calories/162g fat/123g carbs/4470mg sodium

This “personal” pizza is equal to eating 18 slices of Domino’s Crunchy Thin Crust cheese pizza.

4. Spaghetti and Meatballs w/ Meat Sauce (Macaroni Grill)-Worst Pasta

2430 calories/128g fat/207g carbs/5290mg sodium

This will satisfy your calorie requirements for an entire day. Asking for a lunch portion and getting regular tomato sauce cuts the calories in half.

3. Stacked Border Nachos (On the Border)-Worst Nachos

2740 calories/166g fat/191g carbs/5280mg sodium

‘Enuf said. The book doesn’t offer anymore than those staggering numbers.

2. Awesome Blossom (Chili’s)- Worst Starter

2710 calories/203g fat/194g carbs/6360mg sodium

Again – the numbers speak for themselves.

1. Aussie Cheese Fries w/ Ranch Dressing (Outback Steakhouse)- WORST FOOD IN AMERICA

2900 calories/182g fat/240g carbs

Even splitting this ’starter’ with 3 friends is a dinner’s worth of calories – BEFORE your meal arrives.

I know. I’m shocked, too. Take time to take it all in and let me know what you think. And think about ALL your options next time you go out to eat.