This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
It's that time of year again. Yes, the Center for Science in the Public Interest has released its "Xtreme Eating Awards," which skewer fatty and caloric restaurant food choices.
Belly up to the booth and take our quiz.
1. When you go to a restaurant called "The Cheesecake Factory," you don't expect healthy fare. Still, check out the joint's Farmhouse Cheeseburger: "Topped with grilled smoked pork belly, cheddar cheese, onions, lettuce, tomato, mayo and a fried egg." What's the calorie damage, sans the fries that come on the side?
a) 984
b) 1,530
c) 2,041
d) 3,000
2. Consider, if you dare, Applebee's Provolone-Stuffed Meatballs With Fettuccine. It weighs in at 1,520 calories and 43 grams of saturated fat. How many days' worth of fat intake does the dish hold?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 7.4
d) 10
3. Who would put "four fried mozzarella sticks and melted American cheese grilled between two slices of sourdough bread"? Denny's, that's who. The numbers: 1,260 calories and 21 grams of saturated fat. What's the sodium damage?
a) 1,300 milligrams
b) 1,979 mg
c) 3,010 mg
d) 5,000 mg
4. At Great Steak (you see them at mall food courts), the King Fries are a popular choice. Loaded with Philly Cheese Whiz, chopped bacon, sour cream and chives, it's 1,500 calories and 4,980 milligrams of sodium. But how much does the bowl o' fries weigh?
a) ¾ pound
b) 1 1⁄3 pounds
c) 2 ½ pounds
d) 5 pounds
5. The Center for Consumer Freedom, a nonprofit coalition supported by restaurants, food companies and consumers, released the following statement about the "Xtreme Eating Awards":
a) "The Center for Science in the Public Interest's 'Xtreme Eating Awards' is just another stunt to chastise the American public for occasionally indulging in life's simpler pleasures."
b) "The notorious self-proclaimed 'food cops' appear to fundamentally disagree with the notion of personal responsibility in choosing what we eat. Instead, they believe they know what's best for the American public, no matter how bland it might taste."
c) "Restaurants and food companies are in the business of pleasing customers — not eliminating consumer's choices to meet the demands of health zealots."
d) all of the above
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ANSWERS: 1: b; 2: a; 3: c; 4: b; 5: d.