Read This Before Ordering Anything Country Fried At Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel prides itself on serving up quality comfort food in a warm and welcoming environment. Part of its homestyle offerings include many country fried dishes, which are cuts of meat that are breaded, dusted with flour, pan fried, and finally served smothered in gravy, according to the The Spruce Eats.

However, although country frying may add extra flavor, it comes at a cost. While Cracker Barrel's country fried offerings may be delicious, these menu items pack in a minimum of 590 calories, and that's not even counting sides, according to Wide Open Eats. Per Cracker Barrel, its country fried steak contains 600 calories, its country fried shrimp basket boasts 650 calories per serving, and its country fried pork chops contain a hefty 1,000 calories. That's quite a lot for just one meal. Due to the extra gravy and oil they are prepared in, these fried dishes also contain a significant amount of fat.

What's more, all of Cracker Barrel's country fried dishes contain at least over half of the American Heart Association's recommended maximum daily sodium intake. Some dishes, like the Country Fried Shrimp, contain a whopping 2,570 milligrams of salt — a substantial 270 milligrams over the American Heart Association's suggested 2,300 milligrams, according to Wide Open Eats.

Consuming too much sodium can lead to health problems, like an increase in blood pressure, which can cause damage to blood vessels and be very harmful to the heart, according to Live Science. High blood pressure can contribute to many serious medical conditions, including stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease, so people who are concerned about their blood pressure should be very mindful of the salt content in Cracker Barrel's country fried meals.

While they may be tasty, the high calorie, fat, and salt content in these particular Cracker Barrel dishes make these menu items far from healthy. Cracker Barrel fans who want to make healthier selections should consider ordering some of its lighter offerings instead, such as the Grilled Chicken Tenderloins, the Lemon Pepper Grilled Rainbow Trout, or the house salad, per Delish. If one really doesn't want to give up that chicken-fried flavor, limiting portion sizes or eating just half of the restaurant's serving can help reduce the unhealthy side effects of these meals.