Double Down comparisons

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America remains fascinated by the KFC Double

Down<http://www.kfc.com/doubledown/>,

the enigmatic fast-food sensation that sandwiches cheese and bacon between

fried chicken breasts. (See the KFC Double Down up

close.<http://theweek.com/article/index/202295/_KFC_Double_Down_A_closer_look>)

Though the Double Down has a poor nutrition profile (at 540 calories, it

contains 10g of unsaturated fat and 1380mg of salt), it actually compares *very

favorably* to entrees from America's most popular chain restaurants. To put

all this in perspective, the FDA

recommends<http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/default.htm>\

adults

consume around 2,000 calories a day, including no more than 2,300 mg

of salt and 20g of saturated fat.

Here's a list of some of America's biggest dietary challenges:

*1. BEEF BACK RIBS, Claim Jumpers

Description: * " Slow-roasted then flame-broiled and loaded with flavor — will

satisfy your hearty

appetite<http://www.claimjumper.com/menu_nutritional_information.aspx>

" *

'Nutritional' data: *4,301 calories, which includes a whopping 156g of

saturated fat and almost 4 times the FDA's recommended daily salt intake

(7,623mg).*

Equivalent to eating: *Nearly 8 of KFC's Double Downs

*2. FRESH MEX SAMPLER, Chevys*

*Description: * " Our quest for the best is all about your enjoyment, one

Fresh Mex bite at a time<http://www.chevys.com/files/nutrition_information.pdf>

"

*'Nutritional' data: *When all Fresh Mex bites are tallied, a diner will

have sampled 2,560 calories, 53g of saturated fat, and 4,130mg of salt.

*Equivalent to eating: *4.75 Double Downs

*3. JALAPENO SMOKEHOUSE BURGER w/ JALAPENO RANCH, Chili's*

<http://www.chilis.com/EN/Nutritional%20Information/Chilis_Nutrition_Menu_Generi\

c.pdf>

*Description: * " A crowd-pleasing

favorite<http://www.chilis.com/EN/Nutritional%20Information/Chilis_Nutrition_Men\

u_Generic.pdf>topped

with apple-wood smoked bacon, cheddar, red onion and mayo "

*'Nutritional' data: *With 2,130 calories, 43g of saturated fat, and another

wildly high sodium count (6,460mg), this burger might be better shared with

a small crowd.

*Equivalent to eating:* 3.9 Double Downs

***4. SMOKIN' Q THREE-PACK BURGER, Denny's*

<http://www.dennys.com/LiveImages/enProductImage_790.pdf>*Description: * " Mini

BBQ cheeseburgers

<http://www.dennys.com/LiveImages/enProductImage_790.pdf>topped with

onion crispers and bacon "

*'Nutritional' data:* This " mini " feast contains about the FDA's recommended

daily calorie count in one 2,020 calorie entree, with 22g of saturated fat

and 3,570mg of salt.

*Equivalent to eating: *3.7 Double Downs

*5. CRISPY ORANGE CHICKEN BOWL, Applebee's *

<http://www.applebees.com/downloads/Applebees_Nutritional_Info.pdf>*Description:

* " A taste of the Orient—Applebee's

style<http://www.applebees.com/downloads/Applebees_Nutritional_Info.pdf>.

Breaded chicken covered in a spicy-sweet orange glaze over our almond rice

pilaf "

*'Nutritional' data: *The Orient, as interpreted by Applebee's, is extremely

filling; this dish delivers 1,900 calories, 13g of fat, and twice as much

salt (4,330mg) as you're supposed to eat all day.

*Equivalent to eating:* 3.5 Double Downs

*6.DINNER-SIZED PARMESAN-CRUSTED SOLE, Romano's *

*Description: * " Hand-breaded and sauteed then topped with lemon butter sauce

and capers. Served with sun-dried tomato and spinach orzo pasta. "

*'Nutritional' data: *No doubt that parmesan crust and buttery sauce

contribute to a 1710-calorie count, along with 39g of saturated fat and

2,830mg of salt.

*Equivalent to eating:* 3.1 Double Downs

*7. SUNRISE QUESADILLA, Ruby Tuesday's*

*Description:

* " Served<http://www.rubytuesday.com/files/NUTRITIONAL_MENU_GUIDE_APRIL_2010.pdf>\

with

Hollandaise sauce, sour cream, and salsa "

*'Nutritional' data:* Why not ingest the bulk of your daily calorie

allotment *early*, with this 1,589-calorie brunch special. It also contains

2,983mg of salt.

*Equivalent to eating:* 2.9 Double Downs

http://theweek.com/article/index/202269/The_4301calorie_entree_Americas_worst_me\

al

--

Ortiz, MS, RD

" I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you

want to annoy for the rest of your life. "

" Cause of obesity, heart disease and cancer: Look at the end of your fork "