Health Alert 16
Tens years ago, when ordering fast food, the clerk used to ask “Would you like fries with that?” But now the question has changed to “Would you like to super-size you order?” This is slick marketing. Apparently, many Americans have answered yes.
More than half of American adults are overweight. And 50 million of those are obese. The number of overweight adolescents has tripled in the last 20 years. Obesity is associated with numerous health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and premature death. America is in a war against weight.
You really don’t have to monitor calories to keep healthy. I have always advised my patients the types of foods they chose are most important. I still believe this to be true but it does have limits. Today’s portions commonly consumed at fast food restaurants have gotten so out of hand. At these extremes, calorie over-consumption begins to outweigh all other rules of healthy eating.
* Super-Size It and They Will Eat It *
A study done at Pennsylvania State University revealed that the more food that is presented to people, the more they will eat. The study involved feeding young men differing portions of macaroni and cheese. When the young men were served 16 ounces, they ate about 10 ounces. When they were served 25 ounces, they ate 15 ounces or 50% more.
Fast food restaurants encourage customers to get bigger portions. The bigger portions are usually only cents more than the regular-sized portions. Since most of the cost to the fast food company is in serving the food, the bigger portions offer more profit. But super-sized portions mean super-sized amounts of sugar fat and calories.
An average meal from Wendy’s:
• Chicken Club Sandwich – 470 calories
• Biggie Fries – 470 calories
• 32 oz. Soft Drink – 265 calories
Total: 1,205
An average meal from Arby’s:
• Super Roast Beef Sandwich – 530 calories
• Large Curly Fries – 600 calories
• 32 oz. Soft Drink – 265 calories
Total: 1,395
Fast food restaurants aren’t the only places contributing to the portion problem. The same phenomenon has been occurring at regular restaurant.
An average restaurant serving:
• plain pasta – 1,200 calories
• 2 slices of cheese pizza – 620 calories
• skinless chicken – 560 calories
• plain bagel – 500 calories
* The Simple Solution*
Stay away from fast food huge portions. The comparison to natural foods makes a powerful argument. Natural, unprocessed foods have remarkably fewer calories. And, of course, there are many other reasons why they are better for your health.
A natural meal:
• 4 oz. of fresh sturgeon – 119 calories
• 1 Cup of broccoli – 25 calories
• 1 Cup of butternut squash – 82 calories
• ½ cup of black beans – 113 calories
• 1 cup fresh orange juice – 100 calories
• 1 Cup of blackberries – 75 calories
Total: 439 calories
Quite a difference, don’t you think?
Al Sears, MD
Resource: 2002 Calorie Counter by Corinne T. Netzer