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SCARY-SWEET! HG's Restaurant Dessert SHOCKERS (and AWESOME Alternatives!)

Posted Tue, Jun 12, 2007, 6:00 am PDT
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It's no secret that these decadent desserts are high in calories and fat, but even WE were appalled by the horrifying stats on these terrifying treats. No worries -- we've got some guilt-free alternatives, too. Check it out... 

Chili's - Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie
(1,600 calories, 78g fat, 950mg sodium, 215g carbs, 6g fiber, 19g protein)
 
We're not gonna lie: This buttery, sweet, multi-layered bar topped with vanilla ice cream and more tastes insanely good. But even if you split it with a pal, you're still gonna be inhaling 800 calories and nearly 40 grams of fat! Yikes! If you've gotta have a sweet fix while chillin' at Chili's, order a side of their gooey and dessert-y Cinnamon Apples (210 calories, 8g fat). Just a fun little tip from HG... Wheeee!
 
HG Makeover! - Choco Chip Cookie Dough PB Sundae Supreme
(230 calories, 5.5g fat, 265mg sodium, 38g carbs, 6g fiber, 23g sugars, 5g protein)

Simply heat a Fudgy Peanut Butter Chip VitaTop (click here for more details on that) and top it off with a half-cup scoop of Dreyer's/Edy's Loaded Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream. Our version is so freakishly indulgent, your mouth may not believe it's guilt-free (but it SO is)! 
 


Romano's Macaroni Grill - New York Cheesecake w/ Caramel Fudge Sauce
(1,610 calories, 96g fat, 960mg sodium, 169g carbs, 1g fiber, 21g protein)
 
We're not sure what's scarier: the ridiculously high fat and calorie counts on this dessert or the fact that 630 of those calories and 27 of those fat grams come from the sauce alone!!! Either way, ordering this dessert at Macaroni Grill would be a big fat mistake.
 
HG Swap! - Smart Ones New York Style Cheesecake
(150 calories, 5g fat, 140mg sodium, 21g carbs, <1g fiber, 17g sugars, 5g protein)

In less time than it would take to wait for your dessert to arrive at your table, you could head home and be sitting down to this very good version of NY-style cheesecake! It's got a thick swirl of sweet black cherry sauce already in it, so no need to top with a crazy high-cal sauce like M-Grill does. Find it in the freezer aisle of most markets. (Pssst -- you could eat TEN of these guilt-free desserts and still take in less calories than you would with Macaroni Grill's dessert -- but please don't do that either!!!)
 
 
P.F. Chang's - Great Wall of Chocolate
(2,240 calories, 89g fat, 376g carbs, 20g protein)
 
Okay, we're sure this dessert is meant to be shared. But it'd take a whole team of fork-wielding friends to justify ordering this thing! So unless you're dining at Chang's with, literally, a dozen of your closest pals, do NOT cave to this weighty wall of fatty calories.
 
HG Tip! Order the Flourless Chocolate Dome (570 calories, 26g fat) instead, and ask for an extra side of the fresh berries it comes served with. Then feed a chocolate craving with a few bites of the Dome (let your table-mates inhale the rest!), and fill up on the sweet berries.
 
 
Denny's - Oreo Blender Blaster
(895 calories, 46g fat, 280mg sodium, 112g carbs, 2g fiber, 16g protein)

Scary Dessert Shocker #101: Things you sip can have as many or more calories than things that require chewing. In fact, this shake has more calories than a plateful of 15 individual Oreo cookies. Don't be fooled by this shake mistake -- it's one of the worst desserts on the Denny's menu.
 
HG Makeover! - Cookie-rific Ice Cream Freeze!
(158 calories, 4g fat, 213mg sodium, 24g carbs, 0.5g fiber, 15g sugars, 6g protein)

Wowowow is this a good one! It's packed with real Oreo goodness and creamy vanilla flavor for a mere fraction of the fat and calories in the Denny's version. Just dissolve 1 tsp. of Coffee-mate Fat Free French Vanilla powder into a quarter-cup of water. Then place in a blender with the following ingredients: 1/4 cup Dreyer's/Edy's Slow Churned Light Vanilla Ice Cream, 5 ounces 8th Continent Light Vanilla Soymilk, 1/2 a pack of 100 Calorie Packs Oreo Thin Crisps, 2 no-calorie sweetener packets, and 1 cup ice. Blend on high speed for about a minute, or until well mixed. Pour and enjoy, guilt-free!
 
 
Johnny Rocket's - Apple Pie a la Mode
(1,190 calories, 75g fat, 875mg sodium, 114g carbs, 6g fiber, 108g sugars, 12g protein)

Don't think for one second that an after-meal menu option with fruit in the title makes it some sort of sensible dessert. This slice of apple pie a la mode is loaded with calories, fat, carbs, sugars -- the whole nine yards! So not worth it, people!
 
HG's Makeover - Amy's a la Mode
(Approx. 300 calories, 8g fat, 185mg sodium, 53g carbs, 2.5g fiber, 18g sugars, 4g protein)

Heat up one serving (half of the pie, which feels like so much more than a slice!) of Amy's Apple Pie. Then top with a scoop of fat-free vanilla ice cream and you're good to go. Woohoo!
 
 
On The Border - Border Brownie Sundae
(1,380 calories, 80g fat, 450mg sodium, 163g carbs, 8g fiber, 17g protein)
 
Yikes! This On The Border brownie is more than borderline bad -- it's a full-on disaster! Sure a warm brownie topped with ice cream and fudge is enticing, but you could get your fix at home for TWENTY TIMES LESS FAT! Trust us on this one; it's worth the wait.
 
HG Swap! - Smart Ones Brownie A La Mode
(200 calories, 4g fat, 160mg sodium, 36g carbs, 3g fiber, 21g sugars, 5g protein)

This freezer-aisle favorite is the real deal. And even if you ate SIX of these desserts (again, DO NOT DO THIS!), you'd still be taking in fewer calories and less than a THIRD of the fat in OTB's version. That's NUTTY! 
 

Romano's Macaroni Grill - Tiramisu
(1,000 calories, 64g fat, 160mg sodium, 89g carbs, 1g fiber, 12g protein)
 
Apparently Romano's lowered the stats on their terrifying tiramisu since we last outed it as an atrocious option when eating out. But it's gonna take a lot more work before we'll consider this one safe to inhale -- it's still loaded with calories in the quadruple digits and more than 60 fat grams!
 
HG Makeover - Tremendous Tiramisu!
(260 calories, 5.5g fat, 133mg sodium, 42g carbs, 2g fiber, 27g sugars, 9g protein)
 
This humungous dessert do-over is so crazy-good, you may not be able to handle it. Brace yourself; then click here for the details!
 
For more shockers, guilt-free recipes, tips, tricks, and MORE, go to hungry-girl.com and sign up for our FREE daily emails!
 

Average (814 Ratings): 4 out of 5 stars

  • 1. Posted by marianne on Wed, Jun 13, 2007, 2:27 pm PDT

    great thanks!

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  • 2. Posted by Tina C on Thu, Jun 14, 2007, 12:19 pm PDT

    Smart Ones desserts really are that good! Glad to know I'm doing something right.....

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  • 3. Posted by HeyYall on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 12:14 pm PDT

    Good Article - Every once in a while though it's ok to have the real good fattening stuff - if you don't you will loose your mind and binge eat those type of deserts because you will feel deprived. Take it from someone who has lost and gained weight over the years!

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  • 4. Posted by cddalton74@sbcglobal.net on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 12:28 pm PDT

    I don't know about anyone else, but I'm always to full from the main course to order from the dessert menu at these places.

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  • 5. Posted by William S on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 12:31 pm PDT

    MMMMM!! - I'll take one of each!

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  • 6. Posted by Sheila on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 12:31 pm PDT

    I agree with LennyF - if you eat out once and awhile and actually have room for dessert you can order what you want. To me, the whole reason for going out to eat is to enjoy something special - and a decadent dessert is something special - unlike the everyday "Smart Ones'" which I have never and will never try. But thanks for the caloric info - most of these I will share with a friend.

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  • 7. Posted by Debi A on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 12:34 pm PDT

    I think the point of these insane desserts is that you only eat them once in awhile. For folks chowing down on them a few times a week, you're gonna need alot more help than just knowing the calorie/fat count. You need to stop dining out 4 days week or eating like a pig!

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  • 8. Posted by raidersick on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 12:36 pm PDT

    You have to die of something and everything gives you cancer. Get a real job.

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  • 9. Posted by redgurlblue1 on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 12:44 pm PDT

    You seem to have missed the point of dining out and having dessert...it's not something most people do on a daily basis. And the fact that you suggested substituting Smart Ones desserts for restuarant desserts tells me you are really lost. I've had them and I would prefer to eat toxic waste. Dessert is supposed to be enjoyed, not suffered through!

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  • 10. Posted by Beckycool on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 12:45 pm PDT

    It's a good thing that I don't like chocolate anymore :)

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  • 11. Posted by mckeek13 on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 12:48 pm PDT

    I love how they give you alternatives that involve going to the store and buying them. Like I want to go through all that effort after being at a restraunt to begin with?? Also everyones gonna die eventually whats the point in holding back from things that you might actually enjoy and waste money on something you probably won't? Bring on the fat, calories and actual flavor!!

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  • 12. Posted by zippy0172001 on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 12:52 pm PDT

    So let me see if I understand this. "Hungry Girl" is basically just someone from the Smart Ones compnay, right? Well screw them.....bring on the Great Wall of Chocolate!

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  • 13. Posted by stinkyangrykid on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 12:56 pm PDT

    i Like ham

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  • 14. Posted by c_stoppa01 on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 12:59 pm PDT

    is the nutrition info based on the whole cake or by servings?

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  • 15. Posted by JD on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 1:04 pm PDT

    If I plan on going to P.F. Changs, I will remember not to eat anything at all that day and only have the Great Wall of Chocolate. That will take care of my daily calorie intake. That would be SMART right???

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  • 16. Posted by delilahhatesspot on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 1:07 pm PDT

    i like bacon

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  • 17. Posted by Belle on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 1:09 pm PDT

    I'm not taking my own dessert out to eat. That's rubbish! I dine out 3 times a month, IF that often. I rarely order dessert. I agree with what cddalton74@sbcglobal.net said, I'm too full from the meal to bother with dessert. I usually have my own at home, which is MUCH better than the restaurant stuff. When you dine out, share ONE dessert. Then you'll eat less of it. If you dine out alone, forget dessert & eat it at home. Or better yet, walk some of the dinner off, then go to Coldstone Creamery or Baskin Robbins or Dairy Queen.

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  • 18. Posted by uwf09kid on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 1:11 pm PDT

    I actually work at a PF Changs, and I have personally witnessed one person actually eat the entire Great Wall of Chocolate in one sitting...I about threw up. But I will say it tastes amaaaazing! O and the nutritional info is based on that one slice of cake. Each cake itself weighs almost 10 pounds!!

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  • 19. Posted by mina_one_and_only on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 1:11 pm PDT

    I absolutely LOVE hg's tips. they are always full of good facts to know and great alternatives. thanks hungry girl! keep the good advice comin'!

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  • 20. Posted by angela on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 1:17 pm PDT

    I think everyone needs to lighten up. So what if they get some cash from a particular company...no one said anything about PF Changs or Chilis and how horrible it is to list stuff from their restaurants, they're getting advertising from this too. The whole point is to show those people (which are you since you went to this web page) that there are other alternatives for some of your favorites when you want something sweet and don't want to feel like you waste a whole bunch of calories. Look at the point of the article, it is to show us ways to get around the huge fat and sugar if that's what we're looking for. Get over it, you looked at this article for some ideas of ways to get around all the calories too.

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  • 21. Posted by meg_mcnichols on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 1:18 pm PDT

    So many egos, so little time. If you don't like the suggestions, then don't comment. IF they are not applicable to your svelte frames and wonderfully carefree attitudes toward food than yes, please take your "Smart Ones" comments and shove 'em up your "Moomoo" (correct spelling: muumuu, though I'm sure you are not intersted in getting facts straight). Thanks for the healthy suggestions HG.

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  • 22. Posted by Lenny F on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 1:19 pm PDT

    Smart Ones are poison as well. POISON. You would not believe the chemicals and crap they put in them to keep that awful fat and sugar down. It's Frankenfood. Eat natural, people.

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  • 23. Posted by Sandra on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 1:25 pm PDT

    Those Smart Ones desserts are actually sooooo yummy. I prefer eating those (especially the cookie dough one) to eating other desserts. And you realize you can eat dessert without taking it to the restaurant, right? You will probably have more room for it if you space it out with your drive or walk home anyway.

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  • 24. Posted by arturo97x on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 1:32 pm PDT

    Well unless you eat at those places everyday I'm sure every once in a while is not going to kill you.

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  • 25. Posted by DeAnn on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 1:37 pm PDT

    FYI, Jack In The Box shakes are 800 calories. For the regular. :O

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  • 26. Posted by Gabriel Z on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 1:39 pm PDT

    So do some of these desserts come with a defibulator since they sound like heart attacks waiting to happen. I do agree with "the truth" though that exercise and proper diet can lend it self to indulgence once in awhile. If one makes a habit of eating like this, or eating fast food for evry meal, they know full well that a heart attack and diabetes are just around the corner.

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  • 27. Posted by Jim on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 1:44 pm PDT

    A little more balance in the alternatives would have been nice. Journalistic integrity seems to have given way to blatant advertising. As a fit and healthy athlete, I agree with many - a decadent dessert every now and then gives life richness. Who says you need dessert everyday? Eat sanely, don't punish yourself, and celebrate the many flavors of life.

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  • 28. Posted by anj0399 on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 1:46 pm PDT

    Just spend the $5.00 on the restaurant dessert. It would cost you about $5.00 in gas and 20 minutes of your time to run to the store...not exactly what I want to do after dinner. Plus, most of the time you are so full from dinner, you only eat a few bites of the dessert. So yeah, some of these desserts are in excess of 1500 calories, but you probably only consume a quarter. Not that bad!

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  • 29. Posted by on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 1:58 pm PDT

    A slice of cheesecake with 96 grams of fat? Apple pie with 108 grams of sugar? That's just disgusting. I don't care how good it tastes. It's just not worth eating that much fat or sugar.

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  • 30. Posted by eyzonfire _ on Tue, Jun 19, 2007, 2:10 pm PDT

    Interesting that you are panning restaurants from Brinkers Int'l (Macaroni Grill, Chili's and On the Border). Why are you doing that?

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