Restaurant chain, Red Lobster slams the Center for Science in the Public Interest's Xtreme Eating Awards for listing their "Create Your Own Combination" meal as one of the 9 worst chain restaurant meals of the year.
CSPI's Xtreme Eating Awards is an annual list of restaurant meals that contain too much fat, sodium, and more than 2,000 calories, which apparently already sums up to a day's worth, and in just one serving.
Authors of the calorie countdown, Jayne Hurley and Bonnie Liebman feasted on Red Lobster's DIY combo, picking shrimp dishes, Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut, Walt's Favorite, Linguine Alfredo, and sidings French fries, Ceasar salad, and a Cheddar Bay biscuit.
They have calculated a total of 2,710 calories, 37 grams of saturated fat, and 6,530 mg of sodium. The meal's saturated fat is already enough for 2 days, and salt content for 4.
Today reports that Red Lobster, which has 679 branches, claims that CSPI's calculation was exaggerated. "CSPI's Xtreme Eating Awards home in on just one atypical combination and as a result inaccurately portrays the nature of this menu item," said Erica Ettori, Red Lobster's spokesperson in a statement.
"CSPI was dishonest when they neglected to reference other possible combinations, guest choice and the lighter options available. Guests can create a combination that has significantly lower nutritionals," she added.
Among CSPI's worst chain restaurant meals include IHOP's "Chorizo Fiesta Omelette", Dickey's Barbecue Pit "3 Meat Plate", Outback Steakhouse's "Herb Roasted Prime Rib", The Cheesecake Factory's "Louisiana Chicken Pasta", SONIC's "Pineapple Upside Down Master Blast," Uno Pizzeria & Grill's Baked Ziti & Sausage Pasta and Chicago Classic Deep Dish Pizza for their "2 For $12 Pick & Choose" menu, The Cheesecake Factory's "Warm Apple Crisp", and 7X7 Steakburger 'n Fries' "Chocolate Fudge Brownie Milkshake"
The Xtreme Eating Awards is CSPI's way of helping out the 67% of Americans who are overweight and obese.
