Eating Out? Here’s What A Quick 2,000 Calorie Meal Looks Like At Popular Fast Food Places

Love it or hate it, eating out is an unadulterated death trap. Restaurants and fast food juggernauts are in the business of making food taste incredible, even when the marketing spin might seemingly come off as healthy. Trust us, preserving your six-pack is NOT their goal.

And sure, if you’re savvy, it’s possible to navigate the restaurant landscape in way that’s lean and belly-friendly. But have you ever actually looked at what’s in most fast food? My god, it’s a horror story.

Just look at our analysis of the 200 worst fast food items in the US. It’s mind-blowing. The king of the list—the M&M’s Sonic Blast—packed a whopping 1,780 calories, 94g fat, and 197g of sugar. That’s beyond repulsive and disgusting, and people actually suck that thing down.

Gulp.

NYTimes.com recently did a profile honing in on one specific number: 2,000. More poignantly, what exactly does 2,000 calories look like, from a fast food or restaurant lens? We’ve pulled out a few of our favorite highlights—including BK, McDonald’s, Chipotle, and IHOP—but the original piece is more than worth checking out.

As you’ll see in about 8 seconds, plowing through 2K calories isn’t all that difficult. Whatsoever. IF you frequent any of these places. And really, other than Chipotle (which can be doctored into a lean, balanced meal), you should nix all of them from your culinary repertoire.

Opt to cook for yourself whenever possible. The rewards are lucrative (and you’ll have money left in your bank account).

Burger King

Damage: Double Whopper with Cheese (1,070), Onion Rings (410), Vanilla Milkshake (550).

Chipotle

Damage: Carnitas Burrito (945), Chips and Guacamole (770), Coke (276).

Sonic

Damage: Peanut Butter Caramel Pie Shake (2,090).

McDonald’s

Damage: Crispy Chicken Sandwich with Bacon (750), Fries (340), Coke (200), McFlurry with Oreos (690).

Subway

Damage: Cold-Cut Combo (375), Chips (230), Chicken Noodle Soup with Oyster Crackers (155), Cookie (220), Buffalo-Chicken Salad (360), Coke (200), Egg-and-Cheese Flatbread (370), Juice (100).

IHOP

Damage: Classic Skillet with Sausage (1,880), Orange Juice (110).

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

Damage: Cowboy Ribeye Steak (1,690), Martini (230).

Shake Shack

Damage: Double ShackBurger (770), fries (470), Black and White shake (760).

• About
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Bryan DiSanto

Owner & Editor-in-Chief at Lean It UP

Bryan DiSanto is the Owner & Editor-in-Chief of Lean It UP, a culinary student at Le Cordon Bleu – Paris, an ACE-CPT & CSN, NYU graduate, ex-fat kid, and all-around fitness/nutrition nutjob.

He also contributes to Men's Health Magazine.

When he’s not working on his (or somebody else’s) abs, whipping up Eggocados, or running a Tough Mudder, he’s probably off yelling at a Carolina Panthers game somewhere.

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