The Least Healthy Meals in America

Gluttony is still king at America's chain restaurants, as the 2012 Xtreme Eating Awards show. The Center for Science in the Public Interest identified the six "dishonorees" in its annual list, led a dessert with more than 2,000 calories, which is as many calories as many Americans should consume in an entire day. But there's also provolone-stuffed meatballs, burgers topped with fried eggs and pork belly, and grilled cheese sandwiches stuffed with deep-fried mozzarella sticks.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest has used its annual list to promote public labeling of calorie counts and other key nutrient information. Federal rules for chain restaurants could roll out soon, as they have in many cities and counties across the U.S.

Most people should hold themselves to about 2,000 calories, 20 grams of saturated fat and 1,500 mg of sodium daily, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. (Calculate your daily caloric needs with this Mayo Clinic calculator.) The following meals make a mockery of that goal.

Denny’s Fried Cheese Melt
It's a grilled cheese sandwich, made with American cheese ... and four fried mozzarella sticks. You kind-of have to admire that American ingenuity. Who else could have thought of fried cheese-stuffed fried cheese? With French fries and marinara sauce, it clocks in at 1,260 calories and 21 grams of saturated fat and 3,010 mg of sodium.

Applebee's Provolone-Stuffed Meatballs With Fettuccine
The name leaves nothing to the imagination. With garlic bread and marinara, it delivers 1,520 calories, 43 grams of saturated fat and 3,700 mg of sodium.

The Cheesecake Factory Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Cheesecake
It's actually a cheesecake sandwich on red velvet cake, topped with cream cheese frosting, chocolate shavings and whipped cream. It delivers 1,540 calories and 59 grams of saturated fat.

Cheesecake Factory Farmhouse Burger
It's a cheddar cheese burger, topped with smoked pork belly and a fried egg. With frieds, it clocks in with 1,990 calories, 36 grams of saturated fat and 4,670 mg of sodium.

Cold Stone Creamery PB&C Shake
The 24-ounce shake combines chocolate ice cream with peanut butter for a total of 2,010 calories and 68 grams of saturated fat, or as the Center for Science in the Public Interest puts it, it's like "drinking two 16-ounce T-bone steaks plus a buttered baked potato."

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