The world of gastronomy is vast and varied, with dishes ranging from light and refreshing to rich and indulgent. While many health-conscious individuals often seek out low-calorie foods, there’s a certain intrigue surrounding dishes that pack a hefty caloric punch.
Whether it’s due to rich ingredients, preparation methods, or sheer portion size, some foods have earned a reputation for their extreme calorie content.
In this article, we’ll journey through the culinary landscape to discover the food that holds the title for the most calories in the world and delve into the history and context behind its creation.
What Food Has The Most Calories In The World?
The food with the most calories per gram is pure fat, like oils or lard, containing about 9 calories per gram. However, when considering specific dishes, some calorie-dense contenders include deep-fried foods, creamy desserts, and certain fast-food items. For example, the “Luther Burger,” a bacon cheeseburger with donuts as buns, is notoriously high in calories. The exact “most caloric” food can vary based on preparation and serving size.
Let’s have a look at the other foods with high-calorie content:
1. Pure Oils and Fats
- Lard, Butter, and Oils: These are almost pure fat and provide about 9 calories per gram, the highest of any food substance. For instance, a tablespoon of oil or butter typically contains around 120 calories.
2. Nuts and Seeds
- Macadamia Nuts: Among the nuts, macadamia nuts are the most calorie-dense, containing over 700 calories per 100 grams.
- Chia Seeds, Flaxseeds, and Sesame Seeds: These are high in calories due to their fat content, often exceeding 500 calories per 100 grams.
3. Desserts and Sweets
- Deep-Fried Candy Bars: Popular at state fairs, these can pack over 400-500 calories in just one bar, depending on the size and specific preparation.
- Cheesecake: A slice can range from 300 to over 1000 calories based on ingredients and portion size.
- Pecan Pie: A single slice can have over 500 calories, mainly due to the sugar and nuts.
4. Fast Food Items
- Some fast-food burgers, especially those with multiple patties, bacon, cheese, and special sauces, can exceed 1000 calories.
- Large milkshakes or specialty drinks from fast-food chains can also be extremely high in calories, sometimes nearing or exceeding 1000 calories.
5. Dried Fruits
- While dried fruits like raisins, dates, and prunes are nutritious, removing the water content makes them calorie-dense. For instance, 100 grams of dates can have over 280 calories.
6. Cured Meats
- Foods like bacon, salami, and other cured meats are high in fat and can be quite calorie-dense.
7. Certain Alcoholic Drinks
- Cream-based liqueurs and cocktails with lots of sugar or syrups can be very high in calories. Some cocktails can exceed 500 calories per serving, depending on the size and ingredients.
8. Nut Butters
- Peanut butter, almond butter, and other nut butters are calorie-dense due to their fat content. They can have over 500 calories per 100 grams.
9. Chocolate
- Dark chocolate, especially those varieties with a high cocoa content, can be calorie-dense, with over 500 calories per 100 grams.
10. Certain Traditional Dishes
- Some traditional dishes, like the Scottish “haggis” or the Middle Eastern “kibbeh nayyeh” (raw meat with bulgur and fat), can be quite rich in calories.
While these foods are high in calories, it’s essential to remember that calorie content isn’t the only metric for health. Many calorie-dense foods, like nuts and seeds, are also nutrient-dense and can be part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation. Always consider the broader nutritional profile of a food, not just its calorie content.
What Food Is The Highest In Calories?
Pure fat, such as oils and lard, contains the most calories by weight, providing about 9 calories per gram. In terms of dishes, some calorie-dense foods include deep-fried items, rich desserts, and certain fast-food combinations.
For example, foods like foie gras, pecan pie, or the “Luther Burger” (a bacon cheeseburger with donuts as buns) are notably high in calories. However, the exact “most caloric” food can vary based on preparation and ingredients.
Bottom Line
While many dishes around the world are calorically dense due to their ingredients or cooking methods, pinpointing the single most caloric food can be a challenge, given variations in preparation and serving sizes.
However, certain foods, often deep-fried, sugar-laden, or generously portioned, consistently top the charts. Understanding these dishes offers a fascinating glimpse into cultural preferences, historical influences, and the human penchant for indulgence.
While it’s fun to explore these calorific extremes, it’s essential to approach such foods with moderation and balance them within a broader, nutritious diet.
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