Have You Eaten America's Most Unhealthy Fast-Food Meal?

If you've ever eaten at a Long John Silver's, you know what you've done. You've admitted that your health isn't a top concern. That's fine, we hear you. Sometimes you just NEED to eat some deliciously bad-for-you food. However, if you've ever eaten the chain's "Big Catch" — a piece of fried Haddock fish with a side of onion rings and hush puppies — you've done the ultimate: You've eaten the most unhealthy meal possible. That's according to a new survey, and — if your heart could speak — probably according to it as well.

The Big Catch was introduced by Long John Silver's in late May of this 2013. The meal was touted in a press release for its bargain price. For only $5.99, a person who wants to die soon could dine on a piece of fried Haddock three times the normal size offered, a side of their choice, and some hushpuppies. Charles St. Clair, chief marketing officer for the restaurant chain, was of course excited about the offering.

"The Big Catch is a big menu item for Long John Silver’s not just in size but also in value,” said St. Clair. "It’s the largest fish we have ever offered weighing in at 7-8 ounces of 100 percent premium Haddock caught in the icy waters of the North Atlantic. Long John Silver’s has been a strong brand since our doors opened in 1969 and we are proud to be continuously adding new menu items at an affordable price our customers love. The Big Catch is a premium menu item, with the classic taste that Long John Silver’s is known for."

Unfortunately for St. Clair, while he might be proud of his company for bringing the Big Catch to the masses, he most likely isn't pleased with it also snagging the unfortunate honor of being phenomenally unhealthy. The Center for Science in the Public Interest tested a variety of fast food offerings, and singled out the Big Catch for offering less fish and more fats and sodium than advertised. The fish isn't seven to eight ounces, as St. Clair says. It's actually only four ounces of fish, with another three ounces of breading. The Big Catch is so bad the Center for Science in the Public Interest sent a letter to the FDA complaining about the meal, which is made worse when you add in the available sides.

"All three components of the meal are cooked in partially hydrogenated frying oil, which CSPI says is responsible for most of the 33 grams of trans fat found in the meal," explains Consumerist. "That’s 16 times the American Heart Association’s recommended daily maximum intake of trans fat, or more than two weeks’ worth."

If you've eaten the Big Catch, you now know the exact total of your feat. It's not often that you can proclaim that you've consumed the worst meal in America, so perhaps you should be proud. Hey, tell us about it in the comments section, we'd love to hear from you...That is, if you're still alive.

[Pic via Flickr - rittyrats]