Food Chains Such as Dunkin' Donuts Supersizing Snacks

Dunkin' Donuts and other food chains offer snacks with as many as 600 calories.

ByABC News
June 12, 2014, 10:49 AM

— -- Americans snack so much -- in our cars, at our desks and in front of the TV -- that these mid-meal treats now provide about a third of our daily calories.

Snacking is so popular that now, fast food companies including Dunkin’ Donuts are capitalizing on the habit. The chain has been expanding its food menu for the last year and a half to include sandwiches -- items such as fried chicken and a spin on classic grilled cheese.

Dunkin’ Donuts CEO Nigel Travis said of the trend, “We’re not moving into lunch. We’re in snacking.”

Americans need to be careful though, cautioned ABC News nutrition and wellness editor Dave Zinczenko. Depending on toppings, some of the Dunkin' Donuts items can have from 360 to 660 calories.

“Just to put this in perspective: Half of a chicken is 600 calories. That’s a snack on steroids,” he said on “Good Morning America.”

There isn't an official determination on how many calories are in a snack. But an official with Dunkin’ Donuts said, “We are committed to offering a wide variety of food and beverages available all day long so that our guests can make the choices that are right for them.”

It’s important to note how many calories are in these foods, according to nutritionist Lisa Drayer.

“The concern is that positioning these meals as snacks can really confuse consumers and make them think it's OK to over-consume calories -- and it can definitely lead to weight gain,” she said on “GMA.”

Other fast food chains, including Taco Bell and McDonald’s, are adding snacks of varying calories to their menus, too.

“What you should be looking for in a snack should be is something in the 100- to 200-calorie range,” Zinczenko said.

ABC News’ Rebecca Jarvis, Cathy Becker and Ariella Weintraub contributed to this report.