Friday, August 03, 2007

FAST FOOD NATION

Prepackaged food purchased in grocery stores have nutritional analysis labels. Fast food restaurants have begun to post nutritional analysis information as well.

It's no wonder we're a nation of overweight people - we just didn't know what we're stuffing in our bodies. Here's a good example:

MacDonald's Big Mac: 560 calories, 30 grams of fat.

Burger King Original Whopper: 670 calories, 39 grams of fat.

Taco Bell 3 regular style tacos: 510 calories, 39 grams of fat.

Kentucky Fried Chicken 1 chicken breast, 1 wing: 480 calories, 26 grams of fat.

Unless you know a little something about nutrition your first thought might be, "So what's the big deal?"

Contrast those meals to Subway's 6 inch turkey sandwich which has 280 calories and 4.5 grams of fat.

Eating the food just listed at BK, KFC, MacDonald's or Taco Bell will get you 9 times more fat and more than double the calories. Did anyone know that those foods were so laden in calories and fat? Or, did anyone care? Today it's a matter of "forewarned is forearmed". You make the call as to what you want in your body.

Real sticker shock will come in checking out the food analysis labels at the local supermarket. You might find yourself swearing off of frozen dinners, chicken wings, refrigerated burritos and hot dogs. The list of prepackaged foods that are heavily laden in calories and fat is endless.

When I'm out and about I often find myself craving something to eat. Where a nice burger once seemed attractive a Subway turkey sandwich seems more appealing.

It's a no brainer: Healthy eating on one hand or clog the arteries, bring on an early heart attack on the other.

In continuing this line of thinking today's front page of the Sacramento Bee cries out: "America's becoming a takeout nation."

http://www.sacbee.com/103/story/306636.html

The article cites that the average American ate an average of 208 meals outside the home last year. Apart from fast food restaurants, most eating establishments do not list the nutritional value of items on their menu. The old saying, "Look before you leap" could be translated into a modern day reminder when dining out: "Think before you order."


The body is a temple. Be mindful of what you eat.

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6 comments:

Deech said...

Amen Bob! I am willing to bet that you have read Eric Schlosser's book?

Flyinfox_SATX

twilite said...

Hi Bob! Personally I dislike buying fast food...expensive! Either restaurant or home food! Generally I prefer home cooked food.

RL said...

http://rachellynny.blogspot.com/
come on over in a month or so and check it out!

Sexy Duet said...

When I visited the US I made the mistake of ordering a large drink and fries at McDonalds - I couldnt believe how much bigger they were than what is large here.

I found the same with bags of M&Ms and other candies - the US medium size is the same as our large.

We usually eat homecooked meals for dinner and I have recently started making a big pot of vegetable soup that I take each day for lunch. Much cheaper than buying and much healthier.

Ms SD

Max said...

That looks a helluva lot better than what Subway serves up around here--they use YELLOW onions. Red ones are hard to get, but they do exist, and a big business should be able to secure them.. But they just don't see the difference. Raw yellow onions? Gack. But then a Quiznos popped up around the corner, and I've been there a lot! Maybe I should check their site for nutrion information too.

Bob said...

FlyinFox: How'd you know? :)

Twilight: There's no place like home.

Rachel Lynn: I'll look forward to that. Thanks for the invitation.

Ms. S.D.: And Americans wonder why they keep gaining weight! You've just hit the nail on the head as to why.

Max: I'm with you when it comes to onions - White first, then red and last choice yellow. It must be a cultural thing as to why white onions are scarce in S. Korea.

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