PITTSBURGH,None — A recent study in Men's Health magazine ranks the worst appetizers at some of the most popular restaurants.
According to the magazine, Red Lobster's crispy calamari is one of the biggest calorie offenders. The magazine said the app has 1,520 calories and 97 grams of fat. The magazine said the appetizer is equal to 17 rice crispy treats.
Registered dietitian Kim Schwabenbauer said fried appetizers, similar to the crispy calamari, often contain enough calories for an entire day.
"People love fried seafood. Calamari is very popular. Once again, it's about all the sauces, and you're frying the calamari, so you're getting a lot of calories that way," said Schwabenbauer.
Experts said a better option would be a main lobster tail with cocktail sauce for 60 calories and five grams of fat.
Uno Chicago Grill pizza skins also made the Men's Health magazine list with over 2,000 calories and 140 grams of fat. Experts said the app has the same nutritional value as 43 cheese and pepperoni bagel bites.
"The potato itself has great nutrition and is low on calories. The skin has good nutrients. All these extra things are higher in fat content," Schwabenbauer said.
Schwabenbauer said the skins deliver more than twice the recommended daily intake of saturated fat. It would require about 15 miles of running to burn off the calories, experts said.
A better option, Schwabenbauer said, would be the Uno's house made guacamole with chips for 480 calories and 26 grams of fat.
One of the biggest offenders of Men's Health magazine's list is Outback's Aussie cheese fries with over 2,100 calories and 151 grams of fat. Experts said the fries are equal to 11 Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts.
Schwabenbauer said a better choice from Outback's menu is their grilled shrimp on the barbie with 315 calories and 21 grams of fat.
"Grilled shrimp would be an excellent idea with the cocktail sauce. Anything that they can grill is the way to go," said Schwabenbauer.
Experts said the best calorie-conscious people should also beware of cream-based dressing and cheeses on appetizer salads.
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