With the growing rate of obesity in America, we have become a health-conscious country that is always watching calorie intake. But as much as we count calories, we are also a country of busy, on-the-go people, which makes sitting down for a home-cooked meal with family difficult. These days, Americans are eating out more at restaurants or fast food chains, many of which offer alternative “light” meals on their menus.
In a study conducted by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, researchers found that 2013 menu items contained an average of 12% fewer calories compared to the items from the previous year’s menu. This is an average of 60 fewer calories in meals compared to other items that were on the menu in previous years. So that’s great news regarding restaurant calorie count.
About 36% of adults eat at a fast-food restaurant each day. This small impact of change in the amount of calories on the menu can put a dent in the amount of calories Americans are consuming, thus lowering the country’s obesity epidemic.
According to Margo Wootan, the director of nutrition policy for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the biggest contributing cause to rising obesity could be explained by the extra 100 to 150 calorie being consumed per person per day. Even though 60 calories may not seem much to cut out of one’s diet, it could potentially make a difference in the public’s health.
Eating out every now and then is okay but it’s important to keep things in moderation and not in excess. It’s also important to have meals at home with family because it promotes a positive environment for children and gives time for family to connect and build stronger relationships. Remember to balance things and try choosing something that is not loaded with extra bacon or cheese if you have to go out for a meal.
Information gathered from Fox News.
