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OMG, 30,000-Calorie Burger Devoured?!

Diet & Weight Loss

Some people joke that they "ate their weight" after indulging in a favorite food. Competitive eater Brad Sciullo tends to take that phrase a bit too literally -- in a recent challenge, he ate two weeks worth of calories in one sitting.

Denny's Beer Barrel Pub in Clearfield, PA, boasts what's probably the largest menu item in the world: The Belly Bruiser, a burger that's made from 15 pounds of ground beef, three pounds of cheese, a whole head of lettuce, 15 pickles, three tomatoes, two onions and two cups each of ketchup, mayo, mustard and relish. And if that doesn't turn your stomach, maybe this will -- the burger has 30,000 calories and more than 2,000 grams of fat.

Sciullo takes competitive eating seriously and treats it as an "extreme sport," which is why he wants to "eat the one thing everyone thinks is impossible to eat." In fact, 711 people have tried -- and failed -- to conquer this burger before Scuillo, so the fact that he managed to do it in four hours and 39 minutes is oddly impressive. Check it out for yourself by clicking on the video above, but consider yourself warned: This kind of gluttony is never a pretty sight.

You don't have to travel to Pennsylvania for some high-calorie fare. Check out the gallery below to see some of the most outrageous fast food items being served across the country.

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Outrageous Fast Food
Domino's BreadBowl Pasta, 3-Cheese Mac-N-Cheese, whole dish

Calories: 1460
Fat: 56 g
Sodium: 2840 mg

You know it's mac and cheese and you know it's surrounded in calorie-loaded carbs, but did you know this deceptive dish counts as two servings? And that's probably why this order puts you near your daily fat allowance and way past the recommended daily salt intake. If you have the willpower -- eat one serving, or half the bowl!
*Note: The nutrition information isn't available on Domino's Web site. AOL Health requested the information from Domino's directly.
Rachel Been, AOL
Getty Images North America

Outrageous Fast Food

    Domino's BreadBowl Pasta, 3-Cheese Mac-N-Cheese, whole dish

    Calories: 1460
    Fat: 56 g
    Sodium: 2840 mg

    You know it's mac and cheese and you know it's surrounded in calorie-loaded carbs, but did you know this deceptive dish counts as two servings? And that's probably why this order puts you near your daily fat allowance and way past the recommended daily salt intake. If you have the willpower -- eat one serving, or half the bowl!
    *Note: The nutrition information isn't available on Domino's Web site. AOL Health requested the information from Domino's directly.

    Rachel Been, AOL

    Domino's BreadBowl Pasta, Chicken Alfredo, whole dish

    Calories: 1400
    Fat: 50 g
    Sodium: 2140 mg

    If you're craving chicken alfredo, and you happen to be at Domino's, consider ordering their bread-less version. In comparison it contains a lighter 600 calories, 29 fat grams and 1080 mg of sodium.

    *Note: The nutrition information isn't available on Domino's Web site. AOL Health requested the information from Domino's directly.

    Rachel Been, AOL

    Quiznos Tuna Melt, large

    Calories: 1760 calories
    Fat: 133 g
    Sodium:2120 mg

    If you want to stick to the government's health guidelines, eat this over the space of two days or you'll go overboard on fat. And hold the dressing on this one -- it'll save you 370 calories and 40 fat grams. Yikes!

    Melanie J. Kramer, AOL

    Wendy's Premium Fish Fillet Sandwich

    Calories: 470
    Fat: 24 g
    Sodium: 930 mg

    Don't let the "premium" and "fish" in the name fool you into thinking this new order is lean. For a truly lighter option from Wendy's try the Grilled Chicken Go Wrap, which contains 260 calories, 11 fat grams and 760 mg of sodium.

    Rachel Been, AOL

    Ruby Tuesday's Boston Blue Burger

    Calories: 1466
    Fat: 98 g
    Sodium: Not available

    This burger contains more than a day and a third's worth of fat grams -- or a fat content equivalent to four meals. It also contains about three-fourths of a day's worth of calories, and who knows what Ruby Tuesday's doesn't want you to know about the sodium content!

    *Nutrition Information varies by location.

    Keith Morrison, AOL

    Dunkin' Donuts Waffle Breakfast Sandwich

    Calories: 390
    Fat: 23 g
    Sodium: 1000 mg

    While this bad boy doesn't compare to the train wreck of a breakfast platter from McDonald's (see slide 22), do you really want to eat nearly half a day's worth of sodium for breakfast?

    Keith Morrison, AOL

    Ruby Tuesday's Veggie Burger

    Calories: 1007
    Fat: 53 g
    Sodium: Not available

    Okay, this is a tough one to understand. Store-bought veggie patties like those available from Garden Burger, Boca Burger and Morningstar Farms, usually amount to about 100 calories and 5 grams of fat without any fixings. Which begs the question, just what kind of fixings is Ruby Tuesday's adding in? To be fair, this meat-free version is lower in calories and fat than most of the other burger options available from Ruby Tuesday's.

    *Nutrition Information varies by location.

    Keith Morrison, AOL

    Ruby Tuesday's Kids' Mini Turkey Burgers and Fries

    Calories: 873
    Fat: 46 g
    Sodium: Not available

    If you're watching your weight while eating out, you might think that the kid's menu is a safe place to order from. That's not necessarily the case at Ruby Tuesday's. While the kids' minis are certainly lighter than their adult counterparts, they also contain about 70 percent of the fat adults should consume in a day.

    Note: Dietary recommendations for calorie, fat and sodium intake are not available.

    *Nutrition Information varies by location.

    Keith Morrison, AOL

    Hardee's Monster Thickburger

    Calories: 1420
    Fat: 108 g
    Sodium: 2770 mg

    This monster tops out your daily fat and sodium. Talk about scary!

    James A. Finley, AP

    Burger King Steakhouse Burger

    Calories: 950
    Fat: 59 g
    Sodium: 1950 mg

    This new BK burger packs half the calories and nearly all of the sodium and fat you should have in one day. If you eat it, don't even think about ordering a side of fries. A small order would tack on an extra 340 calories, 17 fat grams and 590 mg of sodium.

    Keith Morrison, AOL

So how's Sciullo going to burn off all those calories? Maybe he should do like Jessica Biel and climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Ballpark Burger - Does It Need a Warning?

Nutrition & Supplements

 	Josh Kowalczyk, an intern with the West Michigan Whitecaps, in Comstock Park, Mich. poses for a photo March 24, 2009. The $20 burger will feature a sesame-seed bun made from a pound of dough, five 1/3-pound beef patties, five slices of cheese, nearly a cup of chili and liberal doses of salsa and corn chips

As a writer for "AOL Health," one my greatest pleasures (and horrors) is writing about the latest and most outrageous fast food disasters. While I've come across some doozies in my reporting, nothing quite compares to the West Michigan Whitecaps' soon-to-be-released four-pound, $20 sandwich, which is boasted to contain five beef patties, five slices of cheese, nearly a cup of chili and liberal doses of salsa and corn chips, all crammed in an eight-inch bun, amounting to 4,800-calories. Yes, that's nearly two and a half day's worth of calories! No wonder a dietitian from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine called this seriously bad burger a "dietary disaster."

President Obama - Fit for a Burger and Fries

Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements



Check out this video of President Barack Obama boarding Air Force One for the very first time. I know opinions on the man vary, but I must say he seems like a very nice guy, warm and caring and similar to us common folk in so many ways -- diet included.

President Obama loves a good burger and fries. And it's just what he ordered for his first pre-inauguration in-flight meal. He takes his burger cooked medium-well, with a little Dijon mustard, lettuce and tomato. That's not all. He also asked for some salad or veggies. Good thinking.

We know our President is a good thinker when it comes to fitness -- heck, the guy worked out the morning of his inauguration. Now we know he fills his plate with greens too. He's a balanced guy, who can afford some red meat and fried taters now and then. We just hope it's not all the time. And we hope he's kicked that smoking habit too.

For more Air Force One moments, tune in to National Geographic's new TV series On Board Air Force One beginning tomorrow, January 25, at 8 PM.

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Paula Deen Serves Up Burgers for Brunch

Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements

glazed doughnuts
I just think Paula Deen is the best. She's sweet, funny and the epitome of southern charm. It's a rare day that Paula claims any of her recipes are light and healthy -- after all, butter is The Lady's favorite ingredient. But I'm OK with that. I've tried a few of her recipes, and so far they've all been yummy; they just need to be served in small portions and paired with very light and nutritious sides.

But Paula really takes the cake with her recipe for Brunch Burgers. Or should I say she takes the doughnut? She makes a basic burger and tops it with bacon and a fried egg. It's a little non-traditional, but I can get on board with that. In fact, it might be quite tasty. But then she pulls out glazed doughnuts and uses them in lieu of a hamburger bun. I swear to the Gods of Food Network, my arteries started to clog just watching her do that.

If you're a fan of burgers, try some of these healthier burger recipes.

Food Network Stars(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Rachael RayGiada De LaurentiisBobby FlayPaula DeenAlton Brown

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8 tasty salmon recipes

Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

Salmon is by far my favorite type of seafood. Not only is it delicious, it's good for you, too; it's rich in omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin D, selenium, protein, and vitamins B3 and B12.

While it's important to me to serve healthful meals for me and my son, I'm not the world's most innovative cook. That's another reason why salmon is tops on my list. It's so easy to cook ... you really can't go wrong. My favorite method is to drizzle it with just a tiny bit of olive oil, sprinkle some paprika on top, and grill it. The same method works in the oven, too. I usually pair it with some seasoned brown rice and steamed asparagus.

Real Simple
has eight salmon recipes that are much more creative than my stand-by preparation method. The Dill Salmon Burgers sound awesome as does the Blackened Salmon.

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Fitz's Low Calorie Power Packed Potato Skin Recipe

Healthy Aging, Healthy Habits, Healthy Home, Womens Health, Healthy Recipes, Celebrities and Entertainment, Healthy Kids, Cellulite, Obesity, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Reviews & Products, Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health

I'm so excited to share with you the recipe for my Protein Power Potato. It's something I've been eating several times a week, and it really has served me well. I insist that my food be: low cal, low fat, high fiber, often high in protein and overall nutritious. This Protein Power Potato fills me up, and gives me the energy to get through tough workouts or wild days with my kids. (It keeps me really trim too.)

I've included an option for making this a vegetarian or carnivorous option as well. Since I understand food, and know what I want out of it ... sometimes I just look in my fridge and concoct something that's going to give me what I need. That's how we got this meal. Did I mention this thing is delicious too? Mmmmm. I could eat it every day!

To give it a try, visit the Recipe section available at Fitzness.com, page 42.

Hollywood restaurant claims "healthy fast food"

Nutrition & Supplements

Healthy fast food? Could there really be such a thing? A West Hollywood restaurant in California called O!burger seems to think so, and they're not talking cold sub sandwiches either. Burgers, fries, and shakes make up a good part of their menu, along with veggie burgers, yogurt smoothies, and salads.

Their main claim to fame (and health) is that they're 100% organic and striving to be eco-friendly in every way they can. They do have a healthy sounding veggie burger made of spinach and corn, but no mention of fat grams or calories. Is being organic enough to make such a broad claim like "healthy?" Unfortunately I don't live in the area and can't go try it for myself but if you do then give it a shot and let us know what you think!

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Seven burgers of the Apocolypse

Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

Out to dinner a week or so ago, my husband ordered a giant everything-but-the-kitchen-sink burger. "If the cholesterol in that things doesn't get you," I quipped, "The salmonella in the tomatoes probably will." He's generally a pretty health-conscious person but considers going out to eat fair game -- proving it with his love for a big, sloppy burger every now and then.

If burgers are your personal vice, or if you're just looking for a few visuals to scare you off burgers for a good, long time, check out Diet-Blog's seven hamburgers of the Apocalypse. With names like The Quadruple Bypass Burger, The Hot Dog Burger, and Mulligan's Monster, these burgers are notorious for their artery-clogging powers.

Of course, it is possible to eat a healthier hamburger. Check out About.com for their healthy hamburger tips.

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How Many Calories ... in a Veggie Burger?

How Many Calories?

Of all the burgers out there, I think the general consensus is that veggie burgers are the healthiest of the bunch. They're low in saturated fat, and fat in general, plus they're lower in calories than regular beef or chicken burgers. As a non-vegetarian, I always get the same reaction when I order a veggie burger at a restaurant: 'Huh? Are you on a diet or something?' But I suspect that what veggie burgers lack in calories and fat they make up for in add-ons like cheese and sauce. But then again, I could be wrong.

What do you think? Are veggie burgers healthy or not?

How Many Calories ... in a Veggie Burger from Montana's?

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Quick ways to cut 100 calories

Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

No bones about it: Losing weight is hard work. You're going to have to make some major changes and you're going to have to stick to them. But changing too much too fast is a recipe for disaster, so our advice is to take it slow and start off with some smaller changes.

Diet Blog
recently put together a list of easy food swaps you can make that will cut 100 calories from your daily intake. Some examples?

  • On your toast, have honey instead of jam and butter.
  • On your sandwich, trade mayo for a little bit of light cream cheese.
  • Instead of having a beer after work, have a glass of wine.
  • Instead of ordering a cheeseburger, order a plain hamburger.
They have plenty of other great swaps -- click here for more info.

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Daily Fit Tip: Burgers be gone

Daily Fit Tip, Obesity, Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

If you're lean and healthy and you want to stay that way, steering clear of burgers is a wise move. It's an even wiser move for those who are obese -- studies show that obese people are even more affected by burgers and other high-fat, high-carbohydrate foods.

In one study, 10 normal-weight folks and eight obese folks were fed an 1,800-calorie meal consisting of a burger, fries, cola, and apple pie. After two hours, blood tests showed that both groups had increased inflammatory and oxidative stress -- key factors in artery hardening, which leads to heart attack and stroke. Another hour later, the lean eaters' levels were back to normal. The obese group's numbers were still rising. The interesting twist is this: a high-fiber, fruit-based meal full of 1,800 calories had no such adverse effects.

This study, detailed in the March 2008 Reader's Digest, is small and therefore not conclusive. Still, we might learn a lesson from it: Ditch the greasy burgers, especially if you're above a normal weight range, and embrace fiber and fruit. Nothing new, is it? Consider it a friendly reminder.

If burgers are a must-have for you, check out these healthier varieties.

12 "healthy" foods that really aren't:



Why? Click to find out!

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How Many Calories ... in a turkey burger from Ruby Tuesday?

How Many Calories?

Turkey Burgers are a much more diet-friendly that traditional burgers. Well, at least that's what most of us believe. While it's true that turkey meat is leaner than beef, poultry still has a fair amount of saturated fat. And there's more to a burger than it's meat--there's the bun and the add-ons to consider too.

So here's an interesting question for you:

How many calories are in the Bella Turkey Burger from Ruby Tuesday?

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Fitzness Fiend: Nick Ferrara

Healthy Habits, Womens Health, Cellulite, Obesity, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Motivation, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health

Fitzness Fiends is a section devoted to you, the reader! We all have learned so much on our path to becoming more fit, and now it's time to learn from and inspire each other! Fitzness Fiends are constantly working to better themselves. Some are perfect, some are not. All have health on the mind. Please send Fitz your answers to these questions with a photo of yourself. Time for you to be the motivator!

Name: Nick Ferrara

Age: 32

Occupation: Police Detective

How often do you exercise? 5 times a week, Monday thru Friday. Weekends off...I need this to keep my sanity.

What type of exercise do you do? Strength training using free weights and cardio (usually 20-25 minutes).

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The top 5 highest calorie fast food items

Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

At this point it's common knowledge that fast food is full of fat and calories, and we've all seen plenty of scary headlines declaring the "deadliest fast foods" and citing outrageous calorie counts. Plus it seems we find different numbers wherever we look -- so if you're trying to get an accurate reading on your favorite indulgence you've probably found yourself stuck in the +/- 300 calories range. Yeah, that's helpful.

So I'm presenting this list, from A Calorie Counter, with all of that in mind. It's one list that I think looks about right as far as the numbers go, and I always think lists like this are fun. One thing I know for sure: at 1680 calories I won't be having a large White Castle chocolate shake anytime soon!

The top 5 highest calorie fast food items(click thumbnails to view gallery)

1st Place: White Castle Chocolate Shake2nd Place: Nathan's Fish and Chips3rd Place: Carl's Jr Double Six Dollar BurgerRunner Up: Hardee's Monster Thick BurgerRunner Up: Dairy Queen Choc. Chip Cookie Dough Blizzard


The list ranks the top 272 items total, so take a look -- you might be surprised at where your favorite indulgence lands on the list!

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The evolution of the Big Mac

Nutrition & Supplements

Like our waistlines, food just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I've seen hamburgers with four patties that an average-sized man can eat with no trouble at all -- isn't there something wrong with that?

One blogger in Japan decided to speculate on the future of the Big Mac and just how big it can get. This is what he came up with -- the Chichi Mac, a ginormous burger with so many patties that I've lost count. I'm assuming this is a joke, but with burgers the size of this one that by partner Jon ended up with on a night out a little while ago (yes, it really is as big as his head), it might be a reality before you know it.

What do you think -- will food keep getting bigger, or will it get smaller now that we know how bad it is for us?

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