Monday, December 22, 2008

Shocker! Restaurant Food has More Calories!


Sure, common sense already told you so, but now here's proof.

In last weeks issue of Review of Agricultural Economics James Binkley looked at, "Calorie and Gram Differences between Meals at Fast Food and Table Service Restaurants".

His non-shocking conclusions?

  • Calories and portions in restaurant meals are larger than at home ones and restaurants are as bad if not worse calorically than fast food.
  • Breakfasts at table service restaurants typically had 261 more calories than home cooked and fast food 206 more.
  • Lunches at table services restaurants typically had 183 more calories than home cooked and fast food 227 more.
  • Dinners at table service restaurants typically had 219 more calories than home cooked and fast food 120 more.

    Couple those conclusions with the facts that food dollars spent outside the home have increased from 33% in the early 70s to 54% today and that obesity rates have risen dramatically since the early 70s (doubling in adults and trebling in children) and you've got one clear cut puzzle piece.

    My simple eating out rules?

    Keep celebratory meals out. Keep some social meals out (but look for other socializing options). Keep necessary business meals out. Lose all the convenience ones, the because it's easier than cooking ones.

    Quite simply eat out the smallest amount you need to be happy.

    [Via Parke Wilde's US Food Policy blog - because what other blogger are you aware of that reads Review of Agricultural Economics?]