America's most fattening meals may surprise you

Think a breakfast burrito – filled with scrambled eggs, salty chorizo, ripe avocado and, of course, cheese and sour cream — sounds like a delightful way to start the day?

Maybe so, but according to the 2018 Xtreme Eating Awards, it’s also a good way to start something else: a weight problem.

The Cheesecake Factory Breakfast Burrito tops this year’s list of “honorees,” out today, of the most health-threatening chain restaurant meals. Compiled by the Center for Science in the Public Interest — the same DC-based organization that lobbied the government to mandate that chains must post calorie counts — it includes hits from popular national eateries like Chili’s, Uno Pizzeria & Grill and Shake Shack.

The Cheesecake Factory’s winning dish delivers 2,730 calories, 73 grams of saturated fat and 4,630 milligrams of sodium, wrapped in a tortilla: like eating “seven McDonald’s Sausage McMuffins,” according to the press release.

It’s also more than the 2,000 recommended calories that adults should consume per day.

Cheesecake, a decadent destination, boasts a second dish on the ignoble list of eight: the Chicken Parmesan Pizza Style, which is exactly what it sounds like, with a twist. That twist is a serving of angel hair Alfredo, served atop the almost 10-inch pie like an ultra-rich appetizer. The whole thing clocks in at 1,870 calories, 55 grams of saturated fat and 3,080 milligrams of sodium: like eating “four pieces of Popeyes friend chicken plus four biscuits,” says the write-up.

Meanwhile, the Deep Dish Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese at Unos takes the trophy for “worst makeup,” for its 2,320 calories’ worth of penne, cheese and buffalo chicken. Or, as the press release puts it: “You can’t beat deep dish for building deep belly fat.”

Shake Shack gets the award for “worst revival,” for promoting the retro combo of a burger, fries and a shake. Sucking down a Double SmokeShack, a side of fries and a Peanut Butter Shake will set you back 2,240 calories, 55 grams of saturated fat, 3,170 milligrams of sodium and an estimated 42 grams of added sugar, according to the list. Or, it’s the equivalent of eating “three McDonald’s Quarter Pounders with Cheese plus three McDonald’s Vanilla Cones.”