And the xtreme eating awards go to... Really fattening restaurant food

Hold on to your stomachs — the Center for Science in the Public Interest has come out with its Xtreme Eating awards, giving dubious honors to restaurant fare that maxes out on fat and

calories. Among the winners (or should that be losers?) is the pasta carbonara at Cheesecake Factory; when served with chicken this dish comes in at 2,500 calories and 85 grams of saturated

fat. Also on the list is the New Zealand rack of lamb at Outback Steakhouse. The lamb alone (no sides) is 1,300 calories and 60 grams of saturated fat, plus 1,340 milligrams of sodium

(recommended daily allowance of sodium is from 2,400 milligrams for a healthy adult, although some health experts think it should be far lower). Cinnamon cream stacked and stuffed hotcakes

at Bob Evans will set you back 1,380 calories, 27 grams of saturated fat, and 7 grams of trans fat. That’s about the same calories and fat, said CSPI, as two country-fried steaks and four

eggs. California Pizza Kitchen has a tostada pizza on its menu that, when served with steak as a topping, has 1,680 calories, 32 grams of saturated fat and — you’d better sit down for this —

3,300 milligrams of sodium. Of course, if you’re in the mood for a splurge, you can indulge in Cheesecake Factory’s chocolate tower truffle cake, with 1,670 calories and 48 grams of

saturated fat per slice. We loved this description from CSPI: “Even half a tower leaves each person with a load of calories to store somewhere. ‘Layers and Layers of Fudge Cake with

Chocolate Truffle Cream and Chocolate Mousse,’ says the menu. Say hello to layers and layers of you.” We’ll have ours with a small Diet Coke. [email protected] MORE TO READ