Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Toledo area

Red velvet cake, topped by a layer of cheesecake...then another layer of velvet and cheesecake topped with cream cheese frosting, chocolate shavings and oodles of whipped cream.

That's the mouthwatering tower of goodness that is otherwise known as the "Cheesecake Factory Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Cheesecake"...and it tops this years "Xtreme Eating Awards" as put out by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. (CSPI).  The stats on the desert weigh in at 1,540 calories and 59 grams of saturated fat (three days’ worth).  According to the article on the CSPI website, "Eating one slice of the Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Cheesecake is like eating one Pizza Hut Personal Pan Pepperoni Pizza plus two Quarter Pounders with cheese except the cake has an additional days’ worth of saturated fat."

And while the CSPI readily admits that restaurants are not responsible for the nation's growing obesity epidemic, they say that consumers need to be wary of some of the mega-calorie offerings some chains are gravitating toward.

Applebee's made the Xtreme list too with it's "Provolone-stuffed Meatballs with Fettuccini".  1,520 calories, 43 grams of saturated fat (two days’ worth), and 3,700 mg of sodium (more than two days’ worth). "It’s like eating two of Applebee’s 12-oz. Ribeye Steaks plus a side of Garlic Mashed Potatoes." the article states.

Other notables:  Cold Stone Creamery PB&C Shake: 2,010 calories and 68 grams of saturated fat.  Denny’s Fried Cheese Melt: 1,260 calories and 21 grams of saturated fat (a full day’s worth), and 3,010 mg of sodium (two days’ worth).

Cheesecake Factory has the dubious honor of making the list twice!  From the article:

"The Cheesecake Factory Farmhouse Cheeseburger: This burger is “topped with grilled smoked pork belly cheddar cheese, onions, lettuce, tomato, mayo and a fried egg.” Red Robin, Denny’s and IHOP have similarly embraced the idea of topping burgers with eggs. But to take the spotlight, this Factory-farmed burger boasts 1,530 calories and 36 grams of saturated fat topped with 3,210 milligrams of sodium. That’s assuming you just eat the burger: French fries bring an additional 460 calories and 1,460 mg of sodium. Eating this would be the equivalent of eating three McDonald’s Quarter Pounders with cheese. Add another Quarter Pounder with cheese if you eat the side order of fries."

What do you think of the Mega-Calorie offerings at some restaurants?  Do you go out to eat for an escape and to treat yourself to something crazy-good?  Or do you think some of these items are going to add to the nations obesity problem?