Many popular chain restaurant meals can significantly exceed the recommended daily sodium intake in a single sitting. Health organizations advise adults to consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day, with an optimal goal of staying below 1,500 mg. However, numerous menu items, including some that might seem relatively healthy, pack a full day’s worth—or even more—of sodium into one meal. Here are five chain restaurant meals that far surpass these limits.
Texas Roadhouse
The Bacon Cheeseburger at Texas Roadhouse contains a substantial 2,410 mg of sodium. This meal typically includes bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion on a bun, served with steak fries and a pickle spear. Even more surprising is the Grilled Shrimp Dinner (12 Shrimp), which contains an astonishing 4,520 mg of sodium.
Chili’s
Chili’s Buffalo Big Crispy Chicken Sandwich is another high-sodium offender, with precisely 3,400 mg. This sandwich features hand-battered crispy chicken tossed in Buffalo sauce, served with pickles and a side of house-made ranch. The meal is further amplified by accompanying white cheddar mac & cheese and fries.
Domino’s
Domino’s Spicy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza contains 1,410 mg of sodium per serving, which is one-eighth of an XL pizza. When considering side dishes, an order of Hot Buffalo Wings alone contributes 1,520 mg of sodium for just four pieces.
Applebee’s
Applebee’s Breadsticks with Alfredo Sauce are notably high in sodium, with 2,570 mg per serving. Another item, the Hot Honey Glazed Chicken & Bacon Skillet, featuring sliced grilled chicken breast, contains 3,400 mg of sodium. Adding salad dressing to any meal can further increase the sodium content.
Outback Steakhouse
At Outback Steakhouse, the 10-count Hot Kookaburra Wings contain 4,470 mg of sodium, while the Sweet BBQ Wings are even higher at 5,170 mg. However, both are dwarfed by the Aussie Cheese Fries, which shockingly contain 9,330 mg of sodium.
Leave a Reply