Super size me.
Spoken so often with a nonchalant tone, people don’t realize that along with increasing the size of their burger they are increasing the size of their waistlines. According to the USDA , the average American has increased in size by 10 pounds or more over the past 20 years. Doctors behind this study hypothesize that caloric intake is the main cause of this increase.
Fast food is considered to be among the leading causes of obesity in America, but it is not always the restaurant that leads to belly bulge. It is the choice made by the customer.
More than half of the time, people will eat all of the food that is set in front of them, regardless of the large portion sizes. A study done by the American Institute for Cancer Research showed that 67 percent of people ate the larger portion when presented different serving sizes.
The large serving sizes, cheap prices, and accessible locations are what make the fast food nation thrive.
Despite lawsuits against chain restaurants like Taco Bell for only using 35 percent beef in their tacos, and against McDonald’s for overweight teenagers, people continue to eat fast food. According to the New York Times, people now spend more money on fast food than on higher education and electronic devices combined.
Being smart about the choices made when eating fast food is the key to maintaining a healthy body. Do some research to find out what the healthiest options are, and never upsize your meal.
In 1950, the average serving size of French fries was 2.4 ounces (around 210 calories.) By 2003, the average size had increased to 7.1 ounces (around 610 calories.)
According to the Food and Drug Administration, the average person should consume around 2,000 calories per day (this varies from person to person). To maintain this number, the average meal should be no more than 600 calories. So when a “small” size of fries is the amount of calories allowed in one meal, the pounds start racking up. And this is all before the upsize.
Upsizing a fast food meal means the amount of fat has also been upsized. According to nutritionist Alicia Palmere, eating excessive amounts of saturated fat, sodium, and sugar can lead to many health issues. “[These foods] have been the major culprit of a large portion of American diseases and conditions such as Type II diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and certain digestive cancers,” Palmere said.
Eating natural foods will keep a person’s body running smoothly.
By planning meals ahead of time, people can avoid eating these calories. According to Palmere, “moderation not elimination” is the key to a balanced lifestyle. “If you’re making good food choices 80 percent of the time and exercising there should be no reason to feel guilty,” she said.
Leah Polakoff is a reporter for “The Patriot” and jcpatriot.com.