The Worst Desserts to Order on Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is almost here, and whether you're going out to your favorite restaurant or getting takeout, sharing dessert is a romantic way to end your meal. While we're all for indulging in delicious chocolate and sweets with your sweetie, there are a few chain restaurant favorites that might not make you feel so great as the evening winds down—not to mention the next morning.
These desserts are packed with calories, sugar, fat, and sodium, most of which are dangerous for your health if you consume them regularly.
Kelly Schmidt, RD, LDN, the Diabetic Dietitian, wants you to know it's okay to indulge. However, she warns, "Those options look delicious, but will they leave someone feeling good after? Leave Valentine's Day to good conversation, good flavor, ambiance, and love."
And for more, check out these 15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback.
Red Lobster Chocolate Wave
"Having a treat that is almost half the calories someone should consume in a day will lead to poor sleep, increased cravings the following morning, and more insulin resistance," says Schmidt. Is that how you want to spend Valentine's Day?
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Ruth's Chris Chocolate Sin Cake
While not the biggest offender on the list, the biggest sin here is the calorie count, which is more calories than the average woman should consume in one meal. However, splitting this would be a reasonable indulgence!
Carrabba's Sogno Di Cioccolata "Chocolate Dream"
This fudge brownie, topped with chocolate mousse, fresh whipped cream, and chocolate sauce, has more than 15% of the amount of salt you should consume daily. Too much salt in your diet can lead to fluid retention (oh, and high blood pressure and heart disease), leaving you feeling bloated.
Outback Steakhouse Chocolate Thunder from Down Under
If you're getting dessert at Outback, the New York Cheesecake and Salted Caramel Cookie Skillet have fewer calories than this fat-laden monstrosity. Stay away!
Longhorn Steakhouse Chocolate Stampede
Even if you split this calorie and sugar bomb, you'll have had half your calories and salt for the day. "If the desire is there, order what looks best, but also consider indulging in a treat with less of an impact," says Schmidt. "Ask if there is an option to order fresh berries with homemade whipped cream or even a cheese plate."
Chili's Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie
Sharing a warm cookie topped with a melting scoop of vanilla ice cream sounds like a great treat to share. But with 4,390 milligrams of sodium, this treat could bloat both you and your boo.
Buffalo Wild Wings Chocolate Fudge Cake
To be honest, this isn't one of the worst offenders on the list, but it's a lot of calories to pile on after a plate of wings.
Olive Garden Chocolate Brownie Lasagna
With eight layers of brownie and cheesecake frosting, this dessert has the amount of fat you should be eating all day, not just in one treat.
Cheesecake Factory Carrot Cake
Eating too much salt—like a third of your daily recommended intake—at dinner time can lead to disturbed sleep. Is that how you want to end your Valentine's Day?
Maggiano's Chocolate Zuccotto Cake
This chocolate cake has more calories than an order of fish and chips from Applebees. Just saying.
TGI Friday's Red Velvet Cake
You could eat an entire Bar Harbor Lobster Bake from Red Lobster for about the same amount of calories that are in this cake and ice cream combo. We'd split this with at least four people.
P.F. Chang's Great Wall of Chocolate
Again, this is more calories, sodium, and carbs than are in most restaurant meals. Choose wisely!
