Chain Restaurants in America Are Promoting "X-treme Eating"

According to a US Watchdog, chain restaurants across America are now promoting "X-treme Eating". The Centre for Science in the Public Interest said they are serving up "ever-more harmful new creations". The report went on to say that some individual dishes alone can exceed 2,000 calories, which is more than the recommended daily intake for women.

Currently, more than 20% of American adults are obese, which accounts for some 60 million people, according to the American Obesity Association. As a customer aid, it has been suggested that restaurants should list their nutritional information on their menus, so that consumers can then make informed decisions about what they will be buying.

There are worries that restaurants are not doing enough to address the problem of obesity. A CPSI statement said: "Rather than compete to make their products healthier, restaurant chains are competing with each other to make their appetizers, main courses, and desserts bigger, badder, and cheesier than ever before". Executive director Michael Jacobson said: "Burgers, pizzas, and quesadillas were never health foods to begin with.Now we see lasagne with meatballs on top; ice cream with cookies, brownies, and candy mixed in; bacon cheeseburger pizzas, buffalo-chicken-stuffed quesadillas, and other hybrid horribles that are seemingly designed to promote obesity, heart disease, and stroke."

Some well known American restaurant chains have menus that contain 2,000-calorie appetizers, 2,000-calorie main courses and 1,700 calorie desserts. The health watchdog mentioned that chains such as Ruby Tuesday, Uno Chicago Grill and the Cheesecake Factory are culprits in "X-treme Eating". Eating an 'Outrageous Chocolate Cake combines brownie, pie, and cheesecake, bringing the calorie total to 1,3800. The CPSI said that this is "the equivalent of eating two [McDonald's] Quarter Pounders plus a large fries - for dessert. Since those chains make almost zero nutrition information available on menus, their customers don't have a clue that they might be getting a whole day's worth of calories in a single dish, or several days' worth in the whole meal," the centre say.

According to Margo Wootan, CSPI nutrition policy director, American eat out an average of four meals each week. She went on to say studies show that women who eat out more than five times a week eat an average of 300 calories more than the recommended 2,000 calories, than women who dine out less often.
By continuing to feast on such meals on a regular basis, it is easy to forego a healthy, balanced diet, within a very short space of time.

However, Frank Guidara, the president and CEO of Uno's, disagreed with some of the CPSI findings. He said that "Our menu is as healthy as any menu out there. We have some indulgent items but so what?," he asked. He also said that the company provided nutrition information at computer kiosks in every restaurant lobby.

Ruby Tuesday spokesman Rick Johnson said that: "The rate of obesity has not gone down - but has gone up since food labeling was introduced many years ago. So you have to be careful of the conclusion that food labeling means people will eat more healthy foods."

In conclusion, health conscious consumers will need to exercise even more caution when dining out, as nutrition information is not readily available in each restaurant chain. There are some simple ways of cutting down the total amount of calories consumed. For example, when you order an appetizer, share it with a friend or relative. That way, you will be consuming fewer calories. Opt for fresh vegetables as a side item to your meal. If you choose a dessert, this can be shared too. Sometimes it can come as a real shock when your meal is brought out and the portions are huge. It does not mean you have to eat every bite! Eat what you can and take the rest home with you. Also, try to limit the amount of times you dine out each week and prepare more home cooked meals. By following these suggestions, you can protect yourself and your family from the unhealthy new trend of "X-treme Eating".

Source:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6399267.stm