About Careers Internship MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Studies Say Restaurant Meals Pack Calorie Punch

by Sheela Philomena on May 14, 2013 at 10:41 AM
 Studies Say Restaurant Meals Pack Calorie Punch

A single meal at a restaurant contains more than half the calories the diners need for the entire day, show studies.

Researchers from the University of Toronto sampled hundreds of meals at 19 chain sit-down restaurants and found that average breakfast, lunch and dinner meals contained 1,128 calories, or 56 percent of the daily 2,000 calorie recommendation.

Advertisement

They also contained loads of salt -- 2,269 milligrams or 151 percent of the recommended amount for most adults, which is 1,500 milligrams per day -- and 89 percent of the daily value for fat.

The meals contained on average 83 percent of the daily value for saturated fat, and more than 60 percent of the daily value for cholesterol.

"Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that calorie, fat, saturated fat and sodium levels are alarmingly high," said the research letter in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Advertisement

"Therefore, addressing the profile of restaurant meals should be a major public health priority."

A second study in JAMA focused on dishes available at 33 small independent and small chain restaurants in the Boston area, and found that the average meal contained two-thirds of daily calorie requirements.

Samples were taken from Mexican, American, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Thai, Indian, Greek and Vietnamese restaurants.

"On average, the meals studied contained 1,327 calories, which significantly exceeds the estimated energy needs of an individual adult at a single meal," said senior author Susan Roberts.

"Meals from all restaurant types provided substantially more energy than is needed for weight maintenance," said Roberts, director of the Energy Metabolism Laboratory at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University.

Italian meals had the highest average calories per meal (1,755), followed by American (1,494 calories) and Chinese (1,474 calories).

Vietnamese meals had the fewest calories on average (922), and Japanese meals had the second lowest (1,027).

Source: AFP
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest Diet & Nutrition News

Are Your Omega-3 Fish Oil Pills Healthy or Harmful?
Flavored omega-3 fatty acid supplements can conceal its rancidity, lowering its health benefits and obscuring health hazards.
The Coffee Alkaloid That Rewires Your Brain
Alkaloid extracted from coffee proves its mettle in enhancing cognitive abilities and counteracting age-related cognitive decline.
Impact of Ginger on Immune Function
Fresh findings bolster the case for utilizing ginger supplements in the management of autoimmune disorders.
The Surprising Link Between Food and Mood
Study establishes a connection between an increased risk of depression and the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
Unhealthy Snacking May Raise Risk of Metabolic Diseases
By replacing healthy meals with unhealthy snacks, one-fourth of people counteract the benefits of wholesome meals, increasing their risk of metabolic disorders.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
MediBotMediBot
Greetings! How can I assist you?MediBot
×

Studies Say Restaurant Meals Pack Calorie Punch Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests