With more than 1,400 locations just in the U.S., it's safe to say a lot of people love Denny's. Its history dates to 1953 when Harold Butler and Richard Jezak started a donut stand in California. Now, Denny's stands as one of the country's top sit-down eateries, having been ranked No. 31 in Technomic's 2022 list of the Top 500 highest-grossing restaurant brands (via Restaurant News). Known in part for their 24/7 service and the famous Grand Slam breakfast, it's appropriate Denny's has called itself "America's Diner" since 2011.

And we love Denny's, too. We fondly remember going there as kids to indulge in Grand Slams with the family. But as adults, we know that if you're not careful, a trip to Denny's might give you more than you bargained for. That's why we've put together this list of the unhealthiest menu items at Denny's — not to hate on them, but to point out some of the worst dishes (and a few possible alternatives) to help our readers make smarter choices when they visit. That way, you can still enjoy a meal at Denny's without unwanted consequences.

There are now several specialty variations of the Grand Slam breakfast on the Denny's menu — and the Lumberjack Slam is the heftiest of all. The spread of two buttermilk pancakes, bacon strips, grilled ham, sausage links, a choice of eggs, hash browns, and bread certainly sounds delicious. However, the effects can linger long after you finish.

The official Denny's Nutrition Guide lists the Lumberjack Slam as containing 1,270 calories coming in part from 59 grams of fat, 19 grams of saturated fat, 3,920 milligrams of sodium, and 26 grams of sugar — and that's before adding the eggs. Most notably, that's more than a day and a half's worth of sodium per the FDA Daily Value guidelines. This much salt may increase your blood pressure, which in turn raises the risk of stroke and heart disease down the road.

Just as bad is that you're eating three types of processed meat — something the World Health Organization has classified as a Group 1 carcinogen. The added nitrates and nitrites also can lead to methemoglobinemia, a life-threatening condition that inhibits the blood from carrying oxygen. All in all, it's not a great start to the day if you ask us.

The name is all well and good, but this is another massive option on the Denny's Grand Slam menu. The All-American Slam headliner is three eggs scrambled with cheddar cheese, and you also receive bacon, sausage, hash browns, and bread. Although it adds up to fewer calories than the Lumberjack Slam with 1,170, it leads in several other categories, including 80 grams of fat and 27 grams of saturated fat.

But that's just a prelude to the 825 milligrams of cholesterol — almost three days' worth per the FDA recommendations. As the Cleveland Clinic and others have noted, regularly devouring excess cholesterol leads to fat and plaque building up in the blood vessels. As such, you'll be at greater risk of health conditions such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

All in all, if you're craving a slam, Denny's has possibilities that are much easier on the body. The original Grand Slam, Fit Slam, and French Toast Slam all rate better in key nutrition areas. Or use the Create Your Own Slam option to have a meal you'll by happy with both now and later.

Omelettes, or omelets, can have many health benefits, including being good sources of protein and micronutrients. But a Denny's Omelette meal is loaded with unwanted extras. Every single omelette on the menu is high in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. The Ultimate Omelette is the worst with 77 grams of fat, 23 grams of saturated fat, and 780 milligrams of cholesterol — a day or more of the FDA recommended amount of each — not to mention 1,140 calories. Still, even the Loaded Veggie Omelette should never be confused with health food, clocking in at 56 grams of fat, 16 grams of saturated fat, 740 milligrams of cholesterol, and 920 calories.

The biggest reason for this appears to be that each omelette is made with three eggs. In moderation, eggs are generally considered healthy. However, a 2021 study in PLoS Medicine found adding even half an egg per day to your diet was associated with a higher risk of death from all causes, including cancer and heart disease. And it wasn't a small study, either — it tracked more than 500,000 participants. Each omelette meal also comes with hash browns and white toast, which contributes more fat and carbohydrates to round out these colossal plates.

What do you get when you mix pancakes and cinnamon rolls? An avalanche of unhealthy, that's what. The Denny's Cinnamon Roll Pancake Breakfast features two buttermilk pancakes with cinnamon crumbs and cream cheese icing along with eggs, hash browns, and a choice of bacon or sausage. The pancakes alone have 1,100 calories, 26 grams of fat, and a whopping 145 grams of sugar — almost three days' worth of sugar according to the FDA. Such a massive sugar intake can cause diabetes, inflammation, high blood pressure, and fatty liver disease among other issues (per Harvard Health Publishing).

The cinnamon crumbles and cream cheese frosting are the clear culprits. Though we don't have the Denny's-specific numbers, a 100-gram (about 3.5 oz.) serving of Tesco crumble topping packs 460 calories, 17.6 grams of fat, and 28.7 grams of sugar. The typical cream cheese icing isn't much better with 5.7 grams of fat and 21 grams of sugar per two tablespoons. We haven't even mentioned that, depending on your egg and meat selection, you can end up with nearly 2,000 calories total. That's basically a whole day of food for the average person. Other options like Double Berry Banana and 9-Grain pancakes are far healthier on the whole.

Unfortunately, we're not done picking on the Grand Slam family. As a sandwich version of the Denny's classic, the Grand Slamwich heaps scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, American cheese, and maple spice spread on potato bread. You also get a side of hash browns, which can be swapped out with spicy red-skinned potatoes or french fries.

It's a supersize sandwich indeed. In particular, the Denny's Nutrition Guide lists 79 grams of fat and 26 grams of saturated fat — a day's worth of each even after the FDA increased the Daily Value of fat in 2022. Also, fat intake provides essential fatty acids, but too much can lead to many health difficulties, with Livestrong listing heart disease, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, and neurological problems among the many possibilities.

You also get more than a day's supply of cholesterol (595 milligrams) and sodium (3,470 milligrams) in every Grand Slamwich meal. The default order has 1,300 calories, but it can increase to over 1,600 calories depending on the form of potato you get. If you have a hankering for a classic breakfast, maybe check out the Country Fried Steak & Eggs or the Santa Fe Bowl instead.

Incredibly unhealthy meals aren't just for young people. This meal from the Denny's seniors menu comes with two pancakes, scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, two strips of bacon, and two sausage links. The standard version has 1,010 calories, 58 grams of fat, 21 grams of saturated fat, 615 milligrams of cholesterol, and 21 grams of sugar. If you customize with specialty pancakes, the total calories can go up to over 1,600.

But even the regular fare is no Sunday picnic — thanks in large part to that two-day dose of cholesterol. A 2010 study in NMCD linked high levels of dietary cholesterol and eggs to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease for adults ages 70-79, especially if they already had type 2 diabetes. The 55+ Starter or the 55+ Omelette option — which uses two eggs instead of the regular three — will be less strain on the system.

Appetizers are supposed to get you ready for the main course — but a full portion of this hors d'oeuvre is a meal for two all by itself. The Denny's Zesty Nachos feature tortilla chips covered with cheddar cheese and pepper jack queso, seasoned meat, pico de gallo, and sour cream. That combination comes out to 1,660 calories, 106 grams of fat, 36 grams of saturated fat, and 3,370 milligrams of sodium.

The saturated fat content is what really catches our eye. It's almost two times the daily saturated fat intake of the FDA recommendation and nearly triple what the American Heart Association suggests for a 2,000-calorie diet. So much saturated fat will increase your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, boosting the risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular ailments. The tomatoes, onions, and other vegetables in the pico de gallo aren't enough to save this monstrosity. Even the half-portion and its 870 calories might leave you feeling full before the main course arrives — so if you're fancying nachos, maybe check if others at the table want to share.

When you try to get everything at once, sometimes you also get a lot you don't want. That's the case with the Denny's Classic Sampler appetizer and its servings of beer-battered onion rings, boneless buffalo wings, mozzarella sticks, and wavy-cut fries. You can add multiple dipping sauces, too. But even if you don't, you're looking at 1,610 calories, 99 grams of fat, and 4,570 milligrams of sodium. That's almost exactly two days of salt in a single sitting! With sauces, this dish could be more than 2,200 calories.

We've already discussed the dangers of too much fat and salt. Beyond that, simply eating so much food at once — especially if you're adding a meal on top — causes many other complications. Overeating can almost immediately mess up hunger regulation, hurt brain function, make you feel sluggish, and prompt other residual effects. Long-term, it may beget unwanted body fat and disease risk. Therefore, our advice is to either get just one of the items in this appetizer or plan on sharing with family and friends.

Salads are typically thought of as light and healthy — but the Denny's Cobb Salad is quite a mouthful. It contains things such as prime rib, bacon, cheddar cheese, a hard-boiled egg, avocado, and potato sticks that more than offset the greens and tomatoes. The salad alone has 480 calories, 34 grams of fat, and 12 grams of saturated fat — plus nearly a day's worth of cholesterol. Of course, covering it with house dressing adds calories and grams of fat.

The silver lining is that you're getting some fiber, vitamin A, and other essential nutrients from your salad. Overall, though, it's no wonder organizations such as Prevention and Honor Health have named the Cobb Salad one of the unhealthiest salads you can eat — both because of the contents and the typical restaurant portion sizes. It seems okay as a main course, but excessive as the precursor to a meal. If you want a pre-meal salad, go with the House Salad at only 190 calories and 9 grams of fat before the dressing.

Each entrée on the Denny's burger menu offers the chance to add a second patty. For our money, it's a classic case of more not necessarily being better. Just a single beef patty with either American or cheddar cheese has 400 calories, 31 grams of fat, 15 grams of saturated fat, and 30-31 grams of protein. Remember, this is all on top of the regular burger content. So for example, doubling down on the Bacon Avocado Cheeseburger results in a total of 1,420 calories, 99 grams of fat, 38 grams of saturated fat, and 79 grams of protein — plus a dinner side.

While much of this can be considered a problem for your health, we want to focus on the day and a half supply of protein in this and other Denny's double burgers. Though diets such as Atkins and Caveman have touted the advantages of a high-protein diet, there is such a thing as going overboard. A lot of protein at once can overburden the bones, kidneys, and liver, especially in people with pre-existing conditions. High-protein meals often also are associated with constipation, dehydration, and bad breath. If you just have to have a burger, stick with one patty.

You're getting a lot more than just spice with this gigantic sandwich. The Denny's Nashville Hot Chicken Melt has fried chicken and Nashville hot sauce plus Swiss cheese, pickles, tomato, and mayonnaise on bread. It also comes with french fries or another side. The sandwich alone might fill you up with its 1,250 calories, 76 grams of fat, 23 grams of saturated fat, 95 grams of carbohydrates, and 3,200 milligrams of sodium. Those macronutrients in those quantities are associated with many health problems previously considered such as cardiovascular disease and digestion problems.

In addition, too much spicy food at once is known to cause immediate issues. Even those with a high tolerance for spicy cuisine may experience throat swelling, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and painful bowel movement. Admittedly, it also has some benefits such as higher metabolism and pain management — other than the pain it causes your throat and belly. But all things considered, we think the Super Bird or the Cali Club Sandwich are a better choice if you want a melt, both for the lower fat, sodium, and spice.

This dish may well be good enough to lick your plate clean, but that doesn't mean it's good for you. Denny's Plate Lickin' Chicken Fried Chicken is a king-sized dinner of fried chicken breasts with gravy, dinner bread, and two sides. Even without the sides, the meal has 1,070 calories, 62 grams of fat, 3,230 milligrams of sodium, and 60 grams of protein. Sides such as wavy-cut fries (400 calories) and herb-glazed corn (300 calories) will have you experiencing a very full stomach.

The negative health effects of fried chicken have been discussed by numerous professionals. Since it's almost always breaded and deep-fried, it has more total calories, unhealthy fats, and carbs than chicken that's baked or grilled. Chicken-fried-style foods typically use an egg batter and are covered with white gravy, which adds more fat and cholesterol. The Denny's adaption has 79% of the recommended daily fat amount, and high-fat foods take longer to digest, which causes bloating, fatigue, loose stool, and other duress. A quick look at their nutrition guide shows chicken tenders or a steak dinner to both be better alternatives.

This post-dinner treat can end up playing tricks on you. A Denny's Oreo Milkshake is more than a pound of Oreo ice cream, milk, and whipped cream. A single shake has 1,050 calories — more than some of their multi-course meals — and 90 grams of sugar. That might not be surprising, but the fact you're also drinking 56 grams of fat and 32 grams of saturated fat could be. Even the kid's size Oreo Blender Blaster is 760 calories with 41 grams of fat and 65 grams of sugar. And did you know you can buy a two-pack of the adult shake?

Suffice it to say the one-two punch of ice cream and Oreos is quite the wallop. Eating ice cream frequently is a bigtime risk factor for many diseases, and many varieties now contain trehalose, which has been connected to serious gut bacteria infections (via the National Institutes of Health). As for Oreos, research by Connecticut College showed them to rival the addictiveness of cocaine and morphine with lab rats. Although no milkshake is truly healthy, a vanilla or strawberry shake from Denny's will be less terrible while satisfying your sweet tooth.

Most health experts acknowledge smoothies can be healthy in the right circumstances, with WebMD noting they boost fruit, vegetable, and fiber intake. But Denny's smoothies are another matter. All three choices — Mango, Strawberry Banana, and Tropical Green — range from 330-340 calories, which is more than double their lemonade or sweetened iced tea. The mixture of fruit and non-fat vanilla yogurt also produces 68-78 grams of sugar in a 15-ounce serving.

This sugar — particularly any that's added separately from the fruit and yogurt — is the unhealthy kicker. High levels of added sugar in smoothies reduce the nutrient density so you aren't getting as many of the benefits (via European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry). It also raises the risks of heart and liver disease, diabetes, and other chronic issues. Finally, having a smoothie in conjunction with a meal leads to calorie overload, surpassing your ideal daily amount without even realizing it. A glass of the tea or lemonade we mentioned gives you a sweet beverage with fewer calories and sugar.

Want something to cap off your visit to America's diner? The Denny's Lava Cookie Skillet is basically a meal after a meal. We're certainly tempted by this large chocolate chip cookie with molten chocolate, vanilla ice cream, and salted caramel drizzle. But a look at the nutrition guide is an immediate turn-off. A single portion fills your stomach with 40 grams of fat, 25 grams of saturated fat, and 73 grams of sugar as part of its 820 calories. That more saturated fat and sugar than the FDA says most people should have in an entire day.

There are many downsides to such a humongous dessert. Dr. Walter Willett once told Time that foods like ice cream and cookies are "diabetes on a plate" — and here you're getting both at once. Furthermore, adding a plentiful dessert to a full meal is almost always a case of overeating. Although once in a while it may not be a big deal, doing so even once a week over a span of three months could be classified as binge eating according to the National Eating Disorders Association. Instead of trying to devour it all, maybe share it with someone. Or get a slice of cheesecake which comes in a far smaller portion.

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To many people, food is so much more than one of life's necessities. Food can help to define a culture's identity and allow people to tell their own stories. Humans form emotional connections with food in ways that don't always hinge on the act of eating — like sharing food as a way to connect (via Global Gastros). As Chef Afreen, executive chef and owner of Cuisine Afreen, explained in an interview with Impakter, "As human beings, we're all one. When food is in front of us, we know what to do; we eat it. Catering to all our senses, we take a journey that explores new horizons and recalls fond memories."

Even if you don't consider yourself an ultimate foodie, you probably have your own unique connection to food. One of the best ways to tap into that special relationship is through one-of-a-kind food experiences. From trying the weirdest ice cream flavors on the menu to taking a masterclass with a world-renowned chef, you won't want to skip adding these incredible food experiences to your bucket list.

It's important for people to to open their minds to trying new foods in order to build a healthy relationship with eating, according to registered dietician Sondra Kronberg (via the National Eating Disorders Association). One of the best ways to learn about new foods is to visit a dedicated food museum or exhibit. Some museums provide more of a sensory experience than the traditional museum walk-through experience, allowing you to incorporate the smells and tastes of real food into your learning.

Ready to check out some museums that let you become part of the food action? The CUPNOODLES Museum in Japan is a popular tourist attraction with noodle vending machines, a tasting room, and a museum shop where you can find one-of-a-kind gear and food you can't buy anywhere else. There's also the Dr. Pepper Museum in Texas, which lets you make and taste your own soda creations and label your bottles. Patrons get a free soda at the end of their trip, too — or, they can pay a little extra to try a premium flavor (per TripAdvisor).

Around the world, food eating contests are a popular summer pastime for many. Indeed, many of them offer exciting prizes, including cash. Sporting News noted that the 2022 first-place winners of Coney Island's annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest were awarded $10,000. While that particular competition might offer one of the highest amounts, there are others that still give hefty sums to their contest champs, like the Thunder World Famous Case's Pork Roll Eating Championship in Trenton, New Jersey, which pays $2,000 for placing first (via Major League Eating).

Many competitive eaters insist that it's not just the good food or winning prize that convince them to take on these challenges. Apparently, pushing their bodies' limits and discovering that they can do more than they thought is a big part of it, too. Famous competitive eater Joey Chestnut tells SJ Today, "I put a lot of thought and work into figuring out my body and learning how to push it to its limits. There's a huge mental aspect of convincing my body that it can do it — that I've done this before and I can do it again — and then, through practice, finding that perfect rhythm and getting it down."

 Another competitive eater named Miki Sudo adds, "Each food is uniquely fun because they test different skill sets" (via Fansided). So, if challenging yourself is your thing, competitive eating might be the way to do it.

While food-eating competitions might be the perfect challenge for some, others might just want to get involved in an activity that allows them to try some good food. The latter group might enjoy judging for a food competition, which, for many local competitions, doesn't require a huge list of requirements other than loving food and not being a picky eater.

You could also venture into larger festivals and competitions if you have a background in culinary education. Food and travel writer Pamela Vachon, who's also a culinary education graduate, documented her experience as a food festival judge on the Institute of Culinary Education's blog. Vachon tasted and scored 45 dishes during the first two days of the festival. Her biggest struggle during her judging time? Trying to avoid eating more than a couple of bites of dishes she found to be delish.

You can also set your sights on becoming a judge for the World Food Championships, the largest global food sport competition that attracts chefs from all over the world each year. To do it, you'll need to get trained on the organization's E.A.T. methodology through an in-person or online course that results in certification. It could be just one more feather in your cap to set you apart from others.

Have you ever wondered how Gordon Ramsay makes some of his signature dishes? Or how Roy Choi creates the sauces that elevate his meals to a higher level? Thanks to the power of the internet, you can find out — all in the comfort of your own kitchen. Whether you're an aspiring chef or a home cook who wants to learn from some of the best out there, taking a course taught by a culinary expert can help push you towards finishing your goals. 

One popular option for accessible lessons in the culinary arts is the platform Masterclass, a video-based subscription service that gives you access to all classes for a monthly or annual fee. Specifically, one of the perks of taking a Masterclass course is the ability to complete it at your own pace, so you don't have to stress about fitting it into a busy schedule. There's also Cheflix, which is similar to Masterclass but exclusively offers cooking-related classes. Cheflix subscribers can learn everything from cooking modern French cuisine to creating plant-focused meals with Dutch celebrity chef Hans van Wolde. No matter how in-depth you want to go with your classes, you'll surely learn some new cooking techniques to impress your guests with.

What better way to experience the best foods and sights in a new city or town than exploring it on foot? Therein lies the beauty of the walking food tour, which combines the (arguably) two best reasons to travel: food and sightseeing. Depending on preferences for how in-depth a solo traveler or group wants to get, walking food tours can vary in length, price, and walking distance. They might also vary by theme, giving participants a well-rounded mix of food in the area or catering to specific types of dishes or drinks (via Thrillist). You can expect them to last at least a couple of hours to give everyone plenty of time to try the foods on their lists.

Most major cities worldwide feature food tours for both locals and tourists alike. For example, San Francisco's walking food tours take people through popular districts like Chinatown and North Beach. You can also take in gumbo, beignets, and muffuletta sandwiches with a New Orleans food tour. Munch on macaroons and delicious pastries during a French walking food tour, or spend two weeks discovering the best food in India on the India Real Food Adventure. There are even accessible food tours, like this one in Italy that includes five wheelchair-accessible routes.

Fresh fruit from store produce aisles can harbor a surprising amount of bacteria, thanks to everything that comes in contact with them during the shipping and storing process (via Texas Cooperative Extension). Think about it: A customer picks up a peach to look at it and decides not to buy it, so they place it back in the bin, germs and all. One 2017 study  reported that diverse communities of bacteria exist on fresh produce, including those that can be harmful when ingested, like E. coli and salmonella (via PLoS One).

If you need a reason to skip all the shipping and storage and procure less-contaminated produce, try a pick-your-own-fruit farm. According to Michigan State University, these fruits are grown and picked straight from the farm, so the fruit comes into less contact with potential contaminants than those on store shelves. Additionally, picking your own fruit is better for the environment because it doesn't rely on big business agricultural processes. You'll also get lots of fun, Instagram-worthy photos to document your adventure. If you're game to go on a fruit-picking adventure, websites like PickYourOwn.org can be helpful in locating farms near you.

The COVID-19 pandemic certainly hit the cruise industry hard. The once-filled buffet tables of the cruise ship MS Zandaam made way for more modest meals due to a lack of kitchen help as COVID ripped through the ship's staff (via Bloomberg). The situation aboard the MS Zandaam was just one of many similar cases, with 54 cruise ships infected with COVID-19 between January and April 2020 alone (via Science Direct).

Fortunately, the industry has picked back up, and is now beginning to thrive again (per Chicago Tribune). According to the CDC, cruise ships should have set quarantine policies and testing protocols in place, but they're otherwise allowed to continue operations almost as usual.

With that comes the reopening of cruise ship buffets, which are surely experiences not to pass up. Many cruise ship buffets are back to fully self-serve or crew-served formats. Cruise ship buffets usually provide a good variety of foods, making room for even the pickiest travelers to find something they love. Some even stay open long hours, allowing passengers to dine whenever they please on their vacation. For example, the Royal Caribbean's Windjammer Cafe is open most hours of the day and features an assortment of food from around the world.

A dinner theater might sound like something from your grandparents' date nights, but you might be surprised by how entertaining they are. These types of meals are known as immersive dining experiences, which can run the gamut from murder-mystery dinners to traveling dining shows to sit-down-and-watch-while-dining events. As noted in a 2013 paper on immersive dining, the atmosphere of a restaurant can directly relate to customer satisfaction, and immersive environments offer one-of-a-kind interactivity that creates positive memories.

These unique experiences can be as interactive as you'd like them to be to make your experience fit your interests. For example, Medieval Times has become well-known for its audience participation as patrons cheer on their knights while eating a multi-course dinner. Laurie Raphael in Québec, Canada, features sit-down dining that immerses diners in Québec's culture through gourmet meals that showcases the region's history and heritage (via Afar). Immersive dining can also be a full-on sensory experience, like what you'll experience at Sublimotion in Spain. The restaurant uses lights, sound, performance art, technology, and innovative eating experiences to help patrons enjoy their food in new, innovative ways. For instance, entrance tickets are edible, and guests can take scenic tours of the world using VR headsets while they dine (via News.com.au).

If you love the ocean and are fascinated by underwater creatures, then don't skip this next food experience: dining at an aquatic restaurant. While some of these unique restaurants are situated strategically inside aquariums, others are literally under the sea. Either option gives you up-close views of fish, sharks, sting rays, and other undersea animals you might not be able to see unless you embark on a snorkeling excursion. For those who prefer experiencing the ocean with slightly more distance, this could be an excellent option.

A popular option for getting up-close-and-personal with the ocean's finest creatures as you dine is the Submarine Restaurant inside Oceanogràfic València, an underground (and underwater) aquarium located in Valencia, Spain. The restaurant sits inside a circular area of the aquarium and features views of the water from wherever you sit. One Google reviewer gushed, "The atmosphere of this restaurant is amazing. There is no other restaurant like it. You are surrounded by a single 360 degree fish tank and the fish continually swim by as you dine. It is serene. The food was very nice. This is fine dining."

A restaurant in the Maldives known as Ithaa Undersea Restaurant offers a more authentic under-the-sea experience as diners enjoy their meals five meters under the ocean's surface. A TripAdvisor reviewer calls the restaurant "absolutely unmissable," adding that the "food is incredible and it is an experience like nothing else ever, seeing the fish and sharks swim past as you enjoy a Michelin-quality meal."

Fondue has origins in Swiss culture, originally used as a way to ration bread and leftover cheese during the cold winter months (via BBC Travel). Although it began as more of an intimate family dining experience, fondue has evolved into a more communal experience as time went on, making it an ideal addition to an at-home game or movie night with your favorite people. Cooking class instructor Rachel Muenster told the Argus Leader, "It's such a fun, simple way to entertain. You get the ingredients together, and then you put your guests to work preparing their own meal."

You can get even more social by hitting a fondue spot in a nearby city or town with your closest friends. For example, Melting Pot restaurants have made their way across several states to allow diners to enjoy gourmet cheeses, entrees, and desserts through an interactive social experience that invites small to large groups to enjoy all of its offerings together. One Google Local Guide for the Columbus, Ohio area shares their Melting Pot experience: "This was an absolutely one of a kind unique experience, if you have not been to a restaurant like this. Overall, I don't know for the price that I'd come again but I have ZERO regrets getting to try this experience at least once."

Trying a new food or flavor can be scary for some, especially people who tend to lean on the pickier side of things. However, trying new flavors can be healthy — even when they're a little odd. Expanding your tolerance for more foods and flavors can lead to a more varied diet, which has been connected to a longer lifespan, better overall health, and new brain cell generation (via A Healthier Michigan).

Ice cream may not be the healthiest option for your diet, but having it in moderation is okay. And, if you're willing to experiment with some occasional off-the-wall flavors, you could reap some of the benefits we mentioned. Plus, it could be fun to see who out of your friend group is willing to try the craziest ice cream offerings.

So, how about taste-testing Salt & Straw's Goat Cheese Marionberry Habanero? Or, perhaps Ben and Bill's Chocolate Emporium's lobster ice cream might hit the spot. And then there's Van Leeuwen's Kraft Mac & Cheese ice cream – a must-try if you can stomach the idea of it. Amy McCarthy, staff writer at Eater, was surprised at how much she enjoyed the Kraft Mac & Cheese treat. "Upon taking the first bite, I was hooked. Half of the pint had disappeared by the time I looked up, and I have no regrets," she says. "It's one of those foods that's so uniquely compelling that you're going to be confused while eating it, but definitely won't want to stop."

Sightseeing and dining often go hand-in-hand when traveling, so why not kill two birds with one stone? You can do just that by taking part in sky-high meals, like those offered by Dinner In the Sky. The company arranges sky restaurants in some of the world's most popular cities, like Las Vegas and Monaco. Diners strap in as their tables move up, up, and away into the sky. Dinner In the Sky continuously brings its traveling events to different cities, so you can book one in your next travel destination. One Dubai traveler reviewed their experience on TripAdvisor, stating, "When I say this was a bucket list experience, I mean just that. I had an amazing time eating dinner 450 feet in the air. We ate and sang while we saw all the beautiful skyscrapers in Dubai!!!"

Other places have more stationary restaurants that give sky-high views of the cities down below, still offering exquisite sights and a one-of-a-kind dining experience. One such spot is New York City's Bar 54, which sits 54 stories above Times Square. Or, enjoy your breakfast in the sky in Wildwood, New Jersey, as you dine in a Ferris wheel over 150 feet off the ground (via The Travel). A Wildwood visitor said of their experience: "This is a truly remarkable experience that we plan to make an annual event when visiting the Jersey Shore each year. The food was wonderful, and the view was breathtaking" (via TripAdvisor).

It's no secret that traveling can boost your mental health and happiness while helping you to discover new things about yourself. "If you allow it, travel has the ability to expand your mind in a way you never realized was possible," solo travel expert Valerie Wilson explained to Forbes.

One of the best ways to make the most out of your travel experience is to immerse yourself in a location's culture. Trying local cuisine is an excellent way to expand your horizons and really dig into your travel destination. That's why the sole purpose of Eatwith is to connect travelers with one-of-a-kind dining experiences, no matter where in the world they want to travel. Plug in your destination, and Eatwith will find you an experience you won't want to pass up.

For example, you might try evening Turkish coffee and fortune telling in New York. Or, visit a private Miami home for a fine-dining fusion dinner with professional chef Marina. You can even visit an Italian family's home for a traditional farm-to-table dinner with wine. One reviewer exclaimed, "What an amazing experience!" of their authentic Italian dining adventure. "In addition to getting to create and eat a delicious dinner, we gained a lot of appreciation for Italian food and culture. We left excited to continue exploring the beauty of this country."