5 Triple Threat Foods: Calories, Fat, Sodium. Oh My!

When you hear the expression “triple threat,” a person exceptionally good at three separate things (dancing, acting and, say, piano playing) comes to mind. Not so with these foods, which exemplify the expression quite literally. Each possesses such high quantities of saturated fat, calories (often from processed carbs), and sodium that, if eaten in excess, they can raise your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and of course an expanding waistline.

We talked to Susan Weiner, RD, CDE, a New York based nutritionist and Karyn Capazzo, an RD in private practice in Florida for five “triple threat” foods to eat in serious moderation—or just skip all together.

1. Chicken Salad Sandwich on a Croissant

Somewhere along the line This buttery, flaky pastry, typically eaten on its own with a cup of café,’ became a sandwich bread substitute. Then, inexplicably, the sandwich filling of choice became chicken salad, creating a triple threat lunch of epic proportions.

A large croissant can have nearly 300 calories, 7g saturated fat, and nearly 500mg sodium; add one cup of regular mayo-based chicken salad and you’re looking at an additional 400 calories, about 6g saturated fat, and about 250mg sodium. Do the math—then keep your croissant and chicken salad separate.

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