I haven’t been eating out during the pandemic. However, since my daughter and her family are visiting from Spain, I said I would go out to eat if we could eat outside.

What struck me during the few meals we’ve had at restaurants is that they continue to serve such large portions. You’d think with inflation and supply Chain issues, that restaurants would finally begin serving a reasonable amount of food rather than piling it on.

The Xtreme Eating Awards given by the Center for Science in the Public Interest are back after a two-year break for the pandemic.

Few people would eat 13 Taco Bell Beef Soft Tacos in one sitting. However, that’s about what On The Border serves up its Smokehouse Fajitas. The chain calls them “Texas-size,” but the center says “Slaughterhouse Fajitas” might be a better name for this platter of ribs, sausage, pork carnitas, and beef brisket, plus six flour tortillas, refried beans, rice, cheese, and pico de gallo.

The Smokehouse Fajitas – one of eight “winners” of the 2022 Xtreme Eating Awards – has more than a day’s worth of calories, 2,530. 

Besides the calories, the Fajitas pack nearly 2½ days’ worth of saturated fat, 48 grams, and more than three days’ worth of sodium, 7,390 milligrams.

Among the other “winners” are:

Bob Evans’ The Whole Hog: The breakfast combo comes with two strips of bacon, two sausage patties, two sausage links, a slice of ham, two eggs, a hotcake, and a slice of French toast, plus hash browns, home fries, or fresh fruit. With the home fries and fried eggs, Bob’s Whole Hog hits a day’s worth of calories, 2,000, plus nearly two days’ worth of saturated fat, 35 grams, and sodium, 4,750 milligrams. It’s like eating two Sausage McMuffins, two Egg McMuffins, and six hotcakes in one sitting at McDonald’s. 

Applebee’s Shark Bowl: One of several Applebee’s “Mucho” cocktails served in giant goblets, this one is garnished with a pair of gummy sharks. With 630 calories and an estimated two days’ worth of added sugar, this cocktail is like drinking a liter of Sprite plus two ounces of rum. 

The Cheesecake Factory’s Classic Italian Trio: Fettuccini Alfredo is served with Chicken Parmesan and Baked Rigatoni, for a grand total of nearly a day and a half’s worth of calories and almost a work-week’s worth of saturated fat. The center says it’s like eating three Pizza Hut Supreme Personal Pan Pizzas plus one stick of butter.

“Restaurant chains may have learned how to keep their customers and employees safe during the covid-19 pandemic,” said Lindsay Moyer, a senior nutritionist for the center. “But nutritionally, the chains are carrying on as if nothing has happened, despite the fact that typical American diets boost the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and obesity, all of which are linked to worse outcomes for covid.”  

The center began giving out the Xtreme Eating Awards in 2007 to help make the case for one of the group’s policy goals: getting calorie counts on chain restaurant menus and menu boards. That mission was mostly accomplished in 2010, with the passage of the Affordable Care Act, and with the Food and Drug Administration’s effort to develop regulations.  

Now, nearly all major chains comply in their restaurants and on their websites. But calories can be absent when ordering on third-party platforms such as DoorDash or Uber Eats, where menus compliance with the law is inconsistent. 

“Consumers who use third-party apps to order restaurant meals deserve the same access to nutrition facts as consumers who use restaurant websites or dine in person,” said Moyer. “The FDA should make clear that chain restaurant menus posted on third-party apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats need to label calories.” 

The center and other health groups want restaurants to disclose added sugars on request, as they do for saturated fat, sodium, and more. The center is working with communities in several states to require warning icons on menus when items contain excessive amounts of added sugar, sodium, or other unhealthy nutrients.

New York City and Philadelphia require sodium warnings for menu items that contain a full day’s worth of sodium. Recently, New York City became the first U.S. jurisdiction to pass legislation requiring added sugar warnings on chain restaurant menus when packaged foods contain a full day’s worth of added sugar.

Moyer has tips for finding more nutritious choices at chains restaurants:

• Chili’s – The “Guiltless Grill” menu has items limited to 650 calories or less.

• Olive Garden – The Herb-Grilled Salmon entrée fills half the plate with broccoli.

• On The Border – The Fajita Salad replaces flour tortillas with greens and vegetables to serve as a base for grilled chicken.

• The Cheesecake Factory – It offers a lighter menu with entrées such as the SkinnyLicious Chicken Pasta with tomato, marinara sauce, and basil.