Chuck Norris Foods: The Diet Destroyers

     The internet is magical. Really. You have an entire world of knowledge at your fingertips, and can learn stuff so much faster than when you would have to go to the library and read about the subject of your interest. Don't get me wrong, reading is super important. But if you had a sudden desire to know how fast a hummingbird can fly, you Google it and BAM! There you have it, 15-20 seconds later. So today, with the help of the internet, I'm going to inform you of foods that might seem like great ideas at the time, but in reality should be avoided at all costs.

Are you ready?

     **Keep in mind the average woman's daily calorie intake should be around 1,800-2,000 calories, and the average man's intake should be around 2,200-2500. For those LOSING WEIGHT, however, the average woman's intake should be around 1,200-1,500 calories, and the average man's intake should be around 1,800-2,000 calories.**

1. Marie Callender's Chicken Pot Pie

 

     Most people love chicken pot pie as a winter dish. How could you not? It has all sorts of rich, heavy ingredients, flaky crust, AND a serving of assorted veggies. However, not many people who are busy every day with work enjoy coming home to have to be on their feet all night preparing such a meal. So, they stock up on frozen, boxed meals when they hit the grocery store. Judging by the label, this pot pie is harmless enough... with it only having 520 calories. People, please CAREFULLY read your labels. That calorie amount is for only HALF of the chicken pot pie. A lovely trick to encourage more people to buy it who's eyes go straight for the calorie amount and don't pay attention to much else. You eat the whole thing, as most people probably do, and that's 1,040 calories. Almost an entire day's allotment. 

2. Olive Garden's "Tour of Italy" dish

 

     This may seem like a great idea. You're out to dinner with a loved one or some friends, and menus at Italian joints like the Olive Garden seem to have limitless choices. How to choose? Well, hello there. There's an option on the menu for you to have a small serving of lasagna, lightly bread chicken parmigiana, and delicious fettuccine Alfredo... all at once! Do not be fooled by the idea that because you are only having a bit of each, it means you are having less calories. This meal's caloric total is 1,450 calories. Not to mention the breadsticks (150 calories) and the Garden-Fresh salad with dressing (350 calories) you had before your entree? You've had about 2,000 calories. In one meal.

3. Häagen-Dazs ice cream

 

     Who can resist ice cream? Especially the appeal of such a name-brand treat... and all those flavors! My blurb on this is short and simple. 300 calories in 1/2 cup. I haven't even mentioned that fat content. And since when does anyone eat 1/2 cup of ice cream and stop?

4. The Cheesecake Factory's "Chris' Outrageous Chocolate Cake"

 
 

     I'm not going to lie. I am a dessert girl, through-and-through. The description of this masterpiece on the menu is that it has, "layers of moist chocolate cake, chewy brownie, toasted coconut pecan filling, and creamy chocolate chip coconut cheesecake." I'm sold! But before you open your mouth to order, let me throw in a few other facts, Each piece is 5" high, and weighs 3/4 of a pound. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that it is an appealing 1,550 calories. And this is just a DESSERT. So after a day's calories, including the dinner you just ate, you are adding almost another day's worth of calories by having dessert.

5. Chipotle's "Chicken Burrito"

 

     Fast, easy Mexican food. Perfect on the way home from work or during a lunch break. Plus, it has chicken and beans, so that makes it healthier, right? AND it's cheap. Unfortunately, you don't pay a high price in cash for these burritos but you do pay a high price in healthy. One of these guys is 1,050 calories. That's the same amount of calories in TWO 6" Subway steak and cheese subs AND a scoop of Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream! Even if you ask for your burrito without sour cream and cheese, you still have a unforgivingly whopping 830 calories on your plate.

6. Cold Stone Creamery's "Founder's Favorite" in the Gotta Have It size

 
 

     AGAIN with the ice cream. And what a creation this is! I know what you're thinking. You're thinking this is a 12-ounce, larger-than-a-softball sized mound of ice cream with caramel, fudge, brownie pieces and almonds. Well, my friends, if that's what you are thinking, you are WRONG. This is so much more than that! Approximately 1,600 calories more, actually. As much as if you had had more than 5 single scoops of ice cream in cones.

Jeans feeling a bit tighter yet?

    This is my first in a series of Chuck Norris Foods. In the next ones, there will be more in-depth research about the TYPES of food and the diet destroyers among them (Italian, Mexican, steakhouses, etc.)

Muah dears, more soon. 

Upcoming: Mirrored Motivation (And Alliteration!)

**credit for the idea behind this blog to: http://www.cspinet.org/nah/10foods_bad.html**