21 Celebs Who Embraced Natural Medicine

Steve Jobs

Although pancreatic cancer is often life-threatening, Jobs actually had a rare, treatable form of the disease. But the tech visionary, a practicing Buddhist and strict vegetarian, pursued alternative therapies for nine months before eventually electing to follow a more conventional path. Although he had hoped to avoid an operation, Jobs had surgery in 2004, but by then the cancer had already spread.

Some have speculated that had Jobs proceeded with conventional treatment for pancreatic cancer from the start, he may have won the battle.

Farrah Fawcett

The Charlie's Angels bombshell was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006. To complement her chemotherapy treatments, she reportedly traveled to Germany for "natural supplements and also immune treatments" that aren't approved in the United States, according to Access Hollywood.

Fawcett lost her battle with cancer in 2009.

Credit: Getty Images

Gwyneth Paltrow

A regular proponent of various too-good-to-be-true-sounding cleanses, Paltrow is no stranger to natural remedies. In 2004, the actress showed up to a premiere with circular spots across her back, the telltale signs of a procedure called cupping.

The process involves warm glass cups, which are placed on the skin to make a vacuum. It's said to increase blood flow, open pores, and allow toxins to leave the body.

Jenny McCarthy

When the actress's son was diagnosed with autism in 2005, she went looking for answers and came across Generation Rescue, a community of families who believe vaccines and antibiotics are to blame for their children's autism.

McCarthy now serves as president of the organization, which promotes "recovery" from autism. Despite repeated debunking of the decade-old study that alleged vaccines cause autism, many parents continue to question vaccine safety and reject the conventional medical practice outright, putting their children at risk of potentially deadly diseases

Oprah Winfrey

The media mogul has drawn criticism for her promotion of unapproved treatments and alternative therapies. Several natural-medicine proponents have appeared on her TV show, including Jenny McCarthy.

Although she said in a statement that she believes viewers understand she is merely presenting information and not endorsing natural medicine or any of the procedures she has discussed, she has, given the widespread affect she has on her audience, undoubtedly convinced many viewers that these treatments can—and do—work

Dr. Oz

No surprise here, given that Mehmet Oz, MD, was a frequent guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show. The cardiologist-turned-TV-host has integrated alternative treatments into his conventional practice. He has taken flack from the mainstream media for his methods, but he says he continues to use alternative therapies both in his practice and at home.

He also regularly practices Transcendental Meditation (a type of concentrative meditation where a person focuses on one sight or sound) and has been doing yoga daily for more than 20 years, a ritual he calls the most important health practice I have adopted.

He recommends to patients other alternative treatments, such as mud baths for people with arthritis or other joint problems and aromatherapy oils to reduce stress and ease muscle aches.

Princess Diana

The Princess of Wales was a regular at an alternative-medicine treatment facility called Chinese Clinic, according to People magazine. She is said to have taken part in reflexology treatments, a stimulation of the feet, hands, and ears that aims to impact other, more troublesome parts of the body. Some of the clinic's most popular alternative treatments included colonic hydrotherapy, electrical stimulation of the facial muscles for an instant "lift," and Australian herbal remedies

Elle Macpherson

Nicknamed "The Body," supermodel Macpherson spoke with U.K. magazine Fabulous in 2010 about her "Chinese medicine perspective" on health, which she said "promotes and maintains wellness rather than treats illness."

She said she has undergone regular acupuncture treatments and seen a doctor who treated many of her ailments with herbal remedies.

Tom Cruise

In 2005, the actor publicly criticized Brooke Shields's treatment for postpartum depression after the 2003 birth of her daughter. Cruise spoke out against the use of antidepressants, saying Shields didn't understand "the history of psychiatry."

When Matt Lauer asked him to explain on the Today show, Cruise expressed doubts about the existence of depression, saying, "There is no such thing as a chemical imbalance."

Christy Turlington Burns

The supermodel-turned-documentary-filmmaker told Psychology Today that she started practicing yoga at age 18, and was eventually introduced to Ayurveda, a 5,000-year-old Indian holistic science about discovering individual balance. This ancient theory of medicine emphasizes healthy habits such as massage, meditation, and healthy eating to prevent and treat illness.

Kate Moss

After checking into rehab for cocaine addiction, her career on the line, the supermodel was photographed leaving a friend's house with two bandages on her right ear, thought to be covering the marks of acupuncture treatment, according to the BBC.
The therapy may reduce withdrawal symptoms and even prevent relapse in people who are addicted to drugs.

Richard Gere

One of Hollywood's most famous Buddhists, Gere started meditating at age 24 and continues to do so daily. He told PBS that it's a creative process involving finding "the space between thoughts" and that it's different for him every time.

The relaxation technique can ease a range of ailments—including chronic pain, depression, and insomnia—and it may even help smokers quit

Olivia Newton-John

Along with chemotherapy, the singer and actress used complementary treatments such as herbal supplements, acupuncture, meditation, and visualization to battle breast cancer. When she was first diagnosed in 1992, she even considered forgoing chemotherapy entirely in favor of homeopathic treatments and acupuncture, but eventually "common sense prevailed," she told CNN.

Maintaining a positive mindset throughout the experience also helped her heal, she said.

Russell Simmons

The hip-hop mogul may not seem like the typical meditation practitioner, but he's been getting his om on for over a decade.

In a 2010 blog on the Huffington Post, Simmons wrote that meditation "has given me energy, strength, health, wisdom, and access to my own inner stillness, inner silence, inner bliss. It is my connection to myself; it is my connection to the universe."

Madonna

After claiming that urinating on your feet is a cure for athlete's foot on The Late Show With David Letterman in 1994, it's not surprising that Madonna has ascribed to some strange natural cures. Today, the buff performer is a fan of more mainstream alternative practices, such as yoga.

James Hetfield

A sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll-loving guitarist and singer isn't the typical poster boy for natural remedies. But in 2008, Metallica's Hetfield told the Houston Chronicle in order to get through the band's tour to promote that year's Death Magnetic album, he was trying out some alternative treatments, including reflexology, acupuncture, and drinking a "secret vegetable concoction."

Steve McQueen

The bad-boy actor was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a deadly cancer of the lung lining, in 1979. He traveled to Mexico in July 1980 to be treated with pancreatic enzymes, a controversial therapy developed by a dentist who had since been "blacklisted" by the American Cancer Society, the New York Times reported.

McQueen is also said to have received 50 daily vitamins and minerals, psychotherapy, coffee enemas, and injections made from sheep and cattle fetuses, all while taking part in healing massages and prayer sessions. After additional treatments with laetrile, a controversial apricot-pit-based injection, McQueen said he was in recovery, but he died shortly thereafter, following surgery to remove cancer from his abdomen and neck.

Suzanne Somers

The actress is no stranger to alternative treatments, having cited unregulated hormone creams, around 60 vitamins and supplements, and estrogen injections directly into her vagina as her personal fountain of youth.

But after surgery and radiation treatment for breast cancer in 2001, Somers opted for a drug made from mistletoe extract over chemotherapy, and wrote a book promoting the work of some very unconventional physicians

Nick Nolte

In a 2000 visit to Larry King Live, the Oscar nominee sat down with well-known alternative-medicine practitioners Dr. Weil and Eric Braverman, MD, to discuss the hormonal injections Nolte was receiving.

He also said he was undergoing treatments in hyperbaric oxygen chambers, a practice that involves breathing pure oxygen inside of a specially pressurized tank to promote healing

Sarah Ferguson

The former Duchess of York (and her daughters, princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, now famous Stateside thanks to those unforgettable royal-wedding hats) are said to have undergone bioenergy treatments from a Russian energy healer.

Energy healing is similar to Reiki. Both treatments are said to harness positive energy, whether through touch or close proximity, to break negative thoughts and promote the body's natural healing processes

Andrew Weil

Of course Andrew Weil, MD, an integrative-medicine specialist, digs herbs and tinctures. But he sees the wisdom in conventional medicine as well. He surprised some when he famously said, "If I'm in a car accident, don't take me to an herbalist. If I have bacterial pneumonia, give me antibiotics. But when it comes to maximizing the body's natural healing potential, a mix of conventional and alternative procedures seems like the only answer."






see more the article at: http://health.com

The menus for celebrate

Cakes for Birthday Parties

Give your birthday boy or girl the royal treatment by baking their favorite cake. Add candles, sing "Happy Birthday," and start off the year on a tasty note.
Tip: When icing a cake for a celebration, pick an icing that glides on seamlessly. Meringue icing is easy to smooth on over a layer cake, making it a perfect backdrop for your best birthday wishes.




 

Yellow Sheet Cake with Chocolate Frosting

This simple sheet cake with homemade chocolate frosting will make you forget that store-bought yellow cake mix and canned frosting ever existed. The thick, creamy icing will have you licking your plate.
Recipe: Yellow Sheet Cake with Chocolate Frosting

Next Slide: Orange-Carrot Cake with Classic Cream Cheese Frosting

Orange-Carrot Cake with Classic Cream Cheese Frosting

Make a classic family favorite stuffed with tasty ingredients including cinnamon, nutmeg, pecans, and, of course, grated carrot. This twist on the original adds orange zest and juice for an extra hit of bright flavor to complement the smooth cream cheese icing.
Recipe: Orange-Carrot Cake with Classic Cream Cheese Frosting

5 Secrets to never getting sick

Kick the cold

By Jeannette Moninger
From Health magazine
Ever wonder why you always seem to come down with a life-interrupting virus this time of year, while other women you know sail through the season sniffle-, cough-, and ache-free?

We canvassed the research and talked to top experts to uncover these key, study-backed secrets for staying well, even when you're surrounded by germs. The docs' number one tip: Get the flu vaccine, ASAP. Then, follow these simple steps to boost your virus protection even more.

Make friends with fresh air

Common wisdom has it that staying indoors, where it's warm and toasty, is easier on your immune system than being outside in the cold. Problem is, being inside puts you in close constant contact with other people—and their germs.

Not only does escaping into the fresh air give you a break from all those germs circulating inside, but going for a stroll can actually boost your immunity. "Exercise leads to an increase in natural killer cells, neutrophils, and monocytes, which ultimately increases immune function," says Ather Ali, ND, MPH, assistant director of Complementary/Alternative Medicine Research at the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center.

Relaxation fights off colds

There are a trillion reasons why taking time to chill out might be the last item on your to-do list. But here's why it should be a priority: "Being stressed will increase your susceptibility to catching a cold," says Ali. That may be because, over the long term, it leads to the ongoing release of stress hormones, such as glucocorticoids.
These impede your body's ability to produce cell-signaling molecules called cytokines, which trigger a disease-fighting response from your immune system. "You're also less likely to take care of yourself—get ample sleep, eat right, exercise—when you're stressed," says Ali, which is crucial to upping your immunity.

Clean hands are everything

Cold and flu can spread all too easily through touch. Keep your fingers away from your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible, and make sure to master the art of hand-washing. Soap and water remain your most effective tools there, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Germs can grow on bar soaps, so use the pumped kind—or better yet, a hands-free dispenser and choose regular soap over antibacterial. Lather for a solid 20 seconds before rinsing, and make sure to dry thoroughly (but not on your germy clothes!): "Damp hands are far more likely to spread bacteria than dry ones," says Dana Simpler, MD, a primary care physician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore.

The magic bullet

An occasional restless night is nothing to worry about, but a continuous lack of zzz's can hamper your immune system's ability to function. Though experts often say that sleep requirements vary by individual, a 2009 Carnegie Mellon study found that anything short of seven hours nearly triples your odds of catching a cold—and that means seven straight hours, with no middle-of-the-night wake-ups.
"For many of us, the only quiet time we have to think through things is when we're lying down at bedtime. Unfortunately, problem-solving in bed interferes with sleep," says Leslie Swanson, PhD, a sleep specialist at the department of psychiatry at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Next: The magic bullet

Read more articles at http://www.health.com

16 Little Ways to Lose Big Pounds

Tweak your lifestyle

By Jessica Girdwain
From Health magazine
It’s a familiar story: You pledge to honor a daily elliptical routine and count every last calorie. But soon, you’re eating cupcakes at the office and grabbing happy hour mojitos, thinking, Oops, diet over.

There is a better way: Swap the all-or-nothing approach for one or two healthy switch-ups in your daily routine. "Doing this can lead to more weight loss than you ever imagined," says Marissa Lippert, RD, author of The Cheater’s Diet.

In fact, we talked to readers who knocked off 10, 25, even 60 pounds with some easy tweaks. Borrow their slim-down secrets to transform your body the real-world way.

Swap your go-to order

"I used to eat out at restaurants up to nine times a week! By cutting back to just once a week and ordering a grilled chicken salad instead of a large bowl of pasta, I’ve lost 20 pounds in one month." —Kerri Butler, Joplin, MO

Skip the salty aisle

"I reached my goal weight after I stopped routinely buying snacks at the grocery store. If I wanted a bag of chips or a candy bar, I had to walk to the store to get it. That inconvenience usually made me ignore my cravings." —Heather Del Baso, Worcester, MA

Have a 300-calorie breakfast

"I used to skip breakfast, but now I never go without. I always eat about 300 calories of a healthy mix of protein and whole grains. My go-to meal: a sandwich with natural peanut butter and apple butter. It keeps my hunger down so I snack less throughout the day. In a little over a year, I’ve shed 65 pounds." —Bo Hale, Tulsa, OK

Run your butt off

"When I wanted to fit into my skinny jeans again, I started running 20 minutes a day during my lunch hour. In two months, I’ve lost 20 pounds, have tons of energy, and just finished my first 5K. Those jeans? They’re too big now!" —Lauren Castor, Anniston, AL

Kick the habit

"I quit smoking, and right away joined a gym and started working out with a personal trainer. There was no way I could exercise and feel healthy if I kept lighting up. I’ve already dropped 37 pounds in three months!" —Leila Fathi, Memphis, TN

Do a purge

"I totally cleaned out my pantry. Once I replaced the foods I used to overindulge in, like ice cream, with lower-cal snacks, such as roasted sunflower seeds or Special K Chocolatey Delight cereal, I began making better choices automatically. Now, I’m slimmer than I was before I had my two kids!" —Lori Feldman, Coconut Creek, FL

Healthy up your happy hour

"After work, my colleagues and I always grabbed dinner—and it was usually deep-fried. Then we changed things up. Instead of nights out, we started walking and running around a local track. A year later, I’m down 40 pounds." —Ellen Setzer, Cleveland, OH

Get fired up

"I loaded my iPod with jams that make me look forward to going to the gym. They energize me, allowing me to pick up speed on the elliptical—and because I want to hear my entire playlist, my workouts are longer now. Two months later, I’m down 13 pounds and have killer legs." —Kara Marshall, York, ME

Pile on the veggies

"By adding vegetables to the foods I love—like eating pizza topped with arugula and green peppers instead of pepperoni—I became so full so quickly that I no longer had room to eat things like chips or super-rich desserts. I said good-bye to four dress sizes!" —Janessa Mondestin, New York City, NY

Get fit in five

"I try to fit in small bouts of exercise whenever possible, like doing jumping jacks or crunches during television commercials or dancing while washing dishes. This burns extra calories and keeps me from mindlessly munching in front of the TV. Now my clothes fit way better, and I’m more toned than ever." —Megan Tiscareno, Hammond, IN

Downward dog it

"Yoga has become the best thing for my relationship with food and my body. From practicing it several times a week, I’m now more in touch with my hunger cues—so I eat intuitively and stop when I’m full. I’ve gone down a jeans size, and my cellulite has disappeared!" —Jessica Nicklos, Morgantown, WV

Don’t supersize it

"When going out for fast food, I used to get the large-size value meal. Now, I satisfy a craving by ordering just one item: a small order of fries or a six-piece box of chicken nuggets. So far, I’ve shaved off 16 pounds in seven weeks, and I’m on track to being thinner than my high school self for my 10-year reunion later this year." —Miranda Jarrell, Birmingham, AL

Save room for your dessert

"I budget for the treats I love. By eating healthy snacks like carrots and hummus, I have calories to splurge on a piece of chocolate and glass of wine each night. And I’ve still managed to lose 20 pounds in three months." —Elaine Higginbotham, Fort Worth, T

Brave a new class

"Two months ago, I started going to Zumba twice a week. The crazy dance routines really tone your muscles—especially legs and abs—and give you a heart-pounding cardio workout. Eleven pounds later, I’ve almost reached my goal weight." —Morgan Howe, Rochester, NY

Nix nighttime eating

"Each time I needed to lose the baby weight, I stopped eating after 6:30 p.m. five nights a week. The other two evenings were reserved for nights out. Most of what I’d eat at night was junk food anyway, so it took only two months to get my pre-baby body back." —Deborah Gilboa, Pittsburgh, PA

Walk with Spot

"My dog and I go for a walk every day, even if it’s for just 10 minutes around the block. When the weather is horrible, her enthusiasm gives me the incentive to get out when I wouldn’t dare lace up my sneakers otherwise. All the walking adds up: I’ve lost more than 50 pounds this past year." —Jamie Altholz, Denver, CO

The Best and Worst Burgers

Recipes for disaster?

By Amanda MacMillan
Burgers are the quintessential summertime food, but not all hamburgers, or even turkey or veggie burgers, are created equal. Cooking method, portion size, and choice of bread and toppings can mean the difference between a relatively harmless lunch and a day's worth of calories, fat, and sodium.

We rounded up some of the healthiest and unhealthiest examples of what American restaurants are serving between two buns, and got an expert's feedback on the nutritional pitfalls. Here's what to look for—and what to stay far away from—the next time a burger craving hits.

Best plain burger patty

Wendy's Jr. Hamburger

A healthy rule of thumb is to keep your meal around 500 calories, says Katherine Brooking, a registered dietitian and cofounder of AppforHealth.com, but that can be hard with big juicy burgers and lots of fixings. You're generally safe, though, with the plainest, smallest burger available.
"If you stick with a plain single patty, you may even be able to have a small order of fries," she says. All the major drive-throughs have similar plain offerings, but Wendy's Jr. Hamburger—at just 230 calories, 8 grams of fat (3 grams saturated), and 470 milligrams of sodium—is the least nutritionall

Best low-carb burger

In-N-Out Burger's Hamburger With Onion, Protein Style

Health-conscious Californians love to order their burgers from this West Coast chain "protein style," which means the bun is replaced with a lettuce wrap. (The simple swap can save you 150 calories and 28 grams of carbohydrates.)

Here, a hamburger with onion and no bun has 240 calories, 17 grams of fat (4 grams saturated), and 370 milligrams of sodium; ask for ketchup and mustard instead of their signature spread to save another 80 calories.

Best burger with mushrooms and cheese

Dairy Queen's Mushroom Swiss GrillBurger

A burger topped with mushrooms has to be healthier than the competition, right?
"When it comes to fast food, all bets are off," says Brooking. "Mushrooms could have been sautéed in butter or high-fat oil, or had a lot of salt added."
Dairy Queen's quarter-pound Mushroom Swiss GrillBurger is best, with 590 calories, 35 grams of fat (12 grams saturated), and 700 milligrams of sodium. Remember: Veggies are usually a smart idea, but check nutritional information to see how much fat those seemingly healthy toppings are adding.

Best other-meat burger

Ted's Montana Grill's Skinny Dip Bison Burger

Want a more health-conscious burger but can't give up the meat? Bison (or buffalo) has fewer calories and less saturated fat than beef, says Brooking, making it a good substitute for picky carnivores.

At this chain founded by media mogul Ted Turner, you can order any burger with beef or bison meat. The Skinny Dip bison sandwich, served on an oat-and-wheat bun and topped with avocado slices, will run you 606 calories, 29 grams of fat (7 grams saturated), and—watch out!—1,973 milligrams of sodium; go bunless to save 210 calories and 360 milligrams of sodium

Best gluten-free burger (with bun!)

Cheeseburger in Paradise's Back to Basics Burger

Jimmy Buffet's tropics-themed establishment offers beef, turkey, and veggie burgers, as well as seafood and chicken. And now they're all available on gluten-free buns, which have 250 calories and 9 grams of fat—5 grams saturated.

The restaurant has long offered a gluten-free menu and modified meals for those with a gluten intolerance. But with this new addition, diners with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can finally enjoy burgers the same way the rest of us can—utensil free, between two pieces of bread.

Best sliders

Ruby Tuesday's Zucchini Cake Minis

Don't let size fool you. A serving of mini burgers at some chains can easily cost you more calories than a single normal-size sandwich. (Chili's Big Mouth Bites dinner served with ranch dressing and fries totals more than 2,100 calories!)

Ruby Tuesday's combination meals, which let you pair mini burgers with soup or salad, is the smartest choice we found. Our favorites are the delicious zucchini cake patties—made with roasted red peppers and feta cheese—with 580 calories, 22 grams of fat (3 grams saturated), and 1,714 milligrams of sodium.

Best meatless drive-through burger

Burger King's BK Veggie Burger

Even vegetarians can have it their way with Burger King's Morningstar Farms Garden Veggie patty on a sesame-seed bun with lettuce, tomato, ketchup, and mayo. Order it without mayo and it's only 320 calories, 7 grams of fat (1 gram saturated), and 960 milligrams of sodium.

Brooking says high amounts of sodium are difficult to avoid in fast-food burgers. The current recommendation for most people is no more than 2,300 milligrams a day (about a teaspoon of table salt), because high-sodium diets can raise blood pressure and contribute to heart disease.

Best restaurant veggie burger

Denny's Veggie Burger

"America's diner" is known for its hearty breakfasts and fat-filled meals, but they get points in our burger book for offering an Amy's Veggie Burger made from organic grains, vegetables, and protein-rich soy.

Order it off the menu and it'll come with melted pepper Jack cheese, spinach, tomato, and grilled mushrooms on a wheat bun, with a side of balsamic vinaigrette and fresh veggies—all for 540 calories, 13 grams of fat (5 grams saturated), and 1,340 milligrams of sodium.

Best portobello burger

Cheeburger Cheeburger's Grilled Mushroom Portobello Sandwich

Cheeburger Cheeburger's portobello mushroom sandwich doesn't have any beef, but it's the same meaty texture and has much less saturated fat.

A plain portobello sandwich, served on a kaiser roll, will run you 476 calories, 24 grams of fat (5 grams saturated), and 1,415 milligrams of sodium. You can also get it on a platter, served with fries or onion rings and a side salad or coleslaw. Go easy on the signature sauces, which are notorious everywhere for corrupting even the healthiest of meal choices.

Best turkey burger

Hardee's and Carl's Jr.'s Charbroiled Turkey Burger

"In general, ground turkey has less saturated fat than ground beef," says Brooking, "but at a restaurant, you can never be sure whether one turkey burger is better for you than another beef burger." And we found plenty of turkey burgers covered in cheese, bacon, and even fried onion rings.

So we were delighted by the options at Hardee's and Carl's Jr. They teamed up with an editor from Men's Health to offer five turkey burgers under 500 calories: Plain, BBQ Ranch, or Mushroom & Swiss (at Hardee's) and Plain, Guacamole, and Teriyaki (at Carl's Jr.).

• Previous
• Slide 12 of 21
• Next

Worst "cheeseburger"

Friendly's Grilled Cheese Burger

You've seen the best—now here's the worst! Friendly's has combined the burger with another greasy-gooey comfort food: the grilled cheese sandwich.

Not one grilled cheese sandwich, either. This monster "Big Beef burger" comes nestled between two grilled cheese sandwiches (four slices of bread!) layered with lettuce, tomato, and mayo, and will run you 1,540 calories, 92 grams of fat (35 grams saturated), and 2,490 milligrams of sodium. This is essentially three sandwiches masquerading as one!

• Previous
• Slide 13 of 21
• Next

Worst double cheeseburger

Denny's Double Cheeseburger

When it comes to burgers, you could assume double-anything probably isn't the healthiest of options, which is why this Denny's burger made our worst list. Unlike many of the concoctions on our worst list, this double cheeseburger doesn't come with a ton of toppings or sugary sauces. It's essentially just the basics—cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and red onions—and two beef patties.

This unassuming burger clocks in at 1,400 calories, 87 grams of fat (41 grams saturated), and 2,680 milligrams of sodium. We're begging you: Please don't add bacon!

• Previous
• Slide 14 of 21
• Next

Worst drive-in burger

Sonic's Ring Leader Loaded Burger

For the most part, fast-food restaurants fared pretty well on our best and worst lists; their patties tend to be smaller and not as juicy (read: less fatty) than a lot of the diner or bar-and-grill chains. But, of course, there are exceptions.

With just one patty—plus bacon, cheese, a fried onion ring, and mayo—Sonic's Ring Leader Loaded Burger manages to pack in 1,230 calories, 86 grams of fat (28 grams saturated), and 1,230 milligrams of sodium. What's even worse? You can also order it as a double.

• Previous
• Slide 15 of 21
• Next

Worst burger posing as breakfast

Perkins' Sunrise Burger

This hamburger patty also has a fried egg, bacon, hash browns, two cheeses, and sour cream, totaling (with fries) 1,580 calories, 91 grams of fat (29 grams saturated), and 2,490 milligrams of sodium. It also has 425 milligrams of cholesterol—142% of your daily recommended value!

"It's ludicrous that people are encouraged to eat like this," says Brooking. "If a healthy person has this meal once, it's obviously not going to result in a heart attack, but a lot of people should not even entertain the thought of putting an egg on a burger and loading it with toppings."

Next: Worst healthy-sounding burger

Credit: Health.com

Worst healthy-sounding burger

Ruby Tuesday's Avocado Turkey Burger
Turkey and heart-healthy avocado—what's not to like? But the deceitful title of this sandwich doesn't mention the Swiss cheese or bacon it's also served with. Once you know the whole story, it's easy to see why this one's 887 calories, 54 grams of fat, and 2,441 milligrams of sodium.
Ruby's plain turkey burger is a healthier option at just 700 calories. Or even better, ask for the Turkey Burger Wrap, which has just 591 calories.

• Previous
• Slide 17 of 21
• Next

Worst oversized burger

Fifth Third Ballpark's Fifth Third Burger
The West Michigan Whitecaps' minor league baseball stadium serves the Fifth Third Burger: one and two-thirds pounds of beef, five slices of cheese, salsa, nacho cheese, Fritos, chili, lettuce, tomato, and sour cream, all on an 8-inch sesame-seed bun. It's meant to feed four, but you get a T-shirt if you eat it by yourself!  If you can't get to Michigan, rest easy: Cheeburger Cheeburger offers the 20-ounce Pounder—1,394 calories, 81 grams of fat (29 grams saturated), and 1,903 milligrams of sodium—which should tide you over.

• Previous
• Slide 18 of 21
• Next

Worst fair or festival burger

Krispy Kreme Burger

It's the infamous Luther (Vandross) burger, also known as the Krispy Kreme burger. That's a hamburger patty, often with bacon and a fried egg, sandwiched between two doughnuts.

The Machine Shed, the Midwest chain who manned the Krispy Kreme doughnut booth at 2010's Wisconsin State Fair, upped the ante even more with an optional chocolate-covered bacon topping. There's no official word on how bad for you these really are, but with two original glazed donuts at 190 calories each, you're looking at quite a meal from just the "bun" alone.

• Previous
• Slide 19 of 21
• Next

Worst burger melt

Red Robin's All-American Patty Melt

You might think a sandwich on marble rye bread has got to be healthier than one on a fluffy, doughy hamburger bun. This Red Robin creation will prove you wrong.
The All-American Patty Melt, topped with two slices of cheese, caramelized onions, and Thousand Island dressing, is one of the worst items on the Red Robin menu: 1,315 calories, 98 grams of fat, and 2,064 milligrams of sodium.

• Previous
• Slide 20 of 21
• Next

Worst burger hybrid

Applebee's Quesadilla Burger

Swapping your bun for a tortilla isn't the solution, says Brooking. "When you're at the grocery, you can make smart choices and buy a low-fat tortilla with 100 calories. But at a restaurant, you have no idea what's in there."

Applebee's Quesadilla Burger is ground beef with "Mexi-ranch sauce," pico de gallo, bacon, and shredded lettuce, served in a pepper Jack and cheddar quesadilla. With 1,240 calories, 103 grams of fat (43 grams saturated), and 3,530 milligrams of sodium, it could bring you one step closer to a life-threatening heart attack.

Next: Burger so bad it should be illegal

Credit: Health.com

Burger so bad it should be illegal

Chili's Southern Smokehouse Bacon Burger

We thought we were going to have a tough time crowning the very worst burger. And then we found the Southern Smokehouse Bacon Burger.

Think of every high-fat, high-sodium, and high-calorie topping, and this one's got it: maple bacon, smoked cheddar, mayonnaise, crispy onion strings, and ancho-chile barbecue sauce. With fries, the meal has 2,290 calories and more fat and sodium than you should consume in two days: 139 grams of fat (211% of the proper daily intake), 46 grams of saturated fat (230%), and a bloodcurdling 6,500 milligrams of sodium (271%).
credit: health.com