Both have more calories than meals prepared at home. This is based on data from the USDA Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals. Fast food was found to be more energy dense than food from a table service restaurant.
Archive for category Food service
Children are receiving inconsistent health messages at sporting venues, with healthy lifestyles being promoted through sports participation, but unhealthy dietary choices being provided at sports canteens. This is based on a telephone survey conducted on parents of children aged 5-17 years in NSW, Australia.
According to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research, people who choose from a large variety of menu items are more likely to make healthy choices than people who choose from shorter lists.
To examine the effect of point-of-purchase calorie information and value size pricing on fast food meal choices a randomized 2×2 factorial experiment was conducted in which participants ordered a fast food meal from one of four menus that varied with respect to whether calorie information was provided and whether value size pricing was used. Study participants included 594 Minnesota adolescents and adults who regularly ate at fast food restaurants. No significant differences in the energy composition of meals ordered or eaten were found between menu conditions. The average energy content of meals ordered by those randomized to a menu that included calorie information and did not include value size pricing was 842 kcals compared with 827 kcals for those who ordered their meal from a menu that did not include calorie information but had value size pricing (control menu). Oh my Good.
Enjoy this BMJ piece on menu calorie labeling in restaurants.
Buffet behavior studied
Dec 13
Brian Wansink from Cornell observed 213 randomly-selected patrons of 11 all-you-can-eat Chinese buffets across the United States. Heavier patrons were more likely to: Face the buffet while eating. Begin serving themselves immediately instead of surveying the buffet. Pick up a larger plate vs. a smaller one. Use a fork instead of chopsticks. Leave less food leftover on their plate and Chew fewer times per bite. Find the original article here: http://the-f-word.org/blogfiles/ChineseBuffetStudy.pdf
The Cancer Project found that most Value Menus are high in fat, saturated fat, calories, sodium, and cholesterol. Many items also contain processed meats and grilled meats, which are linked to increased cancer risk. The five most unhealthful items on the US market were ranked from worst to least bad are: 1) Junior Bacon Cheeseburger (Jack in the Box) 2) Cheesy Double Beef Burrito (Taco Bell) 3) Breakfast Sausage Biscuit (Burger King) 4) McDouble (McD) and 5) Junior Bacon Cheeseburger (Wendy’s).
Portion Distortion
Dec 7
Americans aren’t very good at recognizing reasonable portion sizes anymore. If people could cut down on their portion sizes, this would be the single greatest way to combat the creeping obesity epidemic, said Madelyn Fernstrom from the University of Pittsburgh.
The Food Standards Agency is an independent UK Government department. They worked closely with the UK’s largest workplace caterers and high street restaurant chains to help them enable their customers to make healthier choices when eating out. The commitments were just published. Good job FSA – very inspiring to read!
Burger King Corp, the world’s second-largest hamburger chain, on Wednesday said it will limit sodium to max 600 milligrams in all of its Kids Meals advertised to children younger than 12. BK claims to to be the first fast-food restaurant chain to take that step. About time, I think.