I'm not a big fan of the book Eat This, Not That. It purports to tell you which foods you should be eating in restaurants instead of other foods. Sometimes the comparison is good, but other times it just seems to save a person 100 calories here or a few grams of fat there and doesn't seem worth the bother (and sometimes the "eat this" choice has more carbs or salt). But I guess it's good to have the info.
Now Men's Health editor Dave Zinczenko exposes some restaurant secrets. Why don't some chains want us to know the nutritional numbers of their foods? What foods are often cooked with other foods in the kitchen? Do some fast food chains actually have healthier options than sit down restaurants?
Personally, I pretty much know the good and bad foods in restaurants. What I'd really like to know the answer to is why their bathrooms are often so messy, without toilet paper, and in need of serious repair.
[via Yahoo Health]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-06-2008 @ 3:22PM
nick said...
Yet another article that underlines just how bad Men's Health is. Hey, did you guys know that greasy food is high in fat and calories? And that sweet foods are full of sugar? If not, I've got a bridge I'd like to sell you.
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5-06-2008 @ 4:18PM
ac said...
It doesn't really say anything you wouldn't already know. They could have taken that a little further and dirtier. Like for example, the turkey burger, which you'd think would be ok for you at ruby tuesday's, is actually the highest in fat and calories on their entire burger menu. You could have a plate of chili cheese fries, and consume less.
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5-07-2008 @ 11:17AM
Baron said...
Hmm... OK, from Ruby Tuesdays:
Ruby's Classic Burger*...... 1013 / 71 / 48 / 4
Classic Cheeseburger*....... 1103 / 78 / 48 / 4
Bacon Cheeseburger*......... 1193 / 85 / 48 / 4
Smokehouse Burger*.......... 1392 / 96 / 71 / 6
Alpine Swiss Burger*........ 1266 / 92 / 55 / 6
Ruby Minis (4).............. 1310 / 90 / 72 / 2
Bison Bacon Cheeseburger.... 1072 / 71 / 48 / 5
Turkey Burger............... 812 / 45 / 49 / 4
Avocado Turkey Burger....... 1034 / 63 / 49 / 7
Bella Turkey Burger......... 1065 / 65 / 56 / 6
Veggie Burger............... 953 / 52 / 60 / 15
Chicken BLT................. 981 / 63 / 59 / 5
Buffalo Chicken Burger...... 1041 / 71 / 62 / 5
But, to the first posters point, people can generally be idiots. Common sense is not something that we seem to value much these days. If you want something to taste good, make sure it is rich and full of flavor (fancy place), if you want something to make you money, use as little pricey stuff (the stuff that generally makes it taste good and is full of the calories and fat) as you can. A place like McDonald's is there to make as much money as it can, but, it gets more attention than most so it has to put a lot of thought into what it serves and how it is made, while keeping in mind how to make money. A local, sit down, fancy pants place wants to make money, but they want to food to be amazing too... So, to compensate for the food prices, they will charge more, as you would expect (of course you are paying for more than just food...). They will serve you the most well marbled steak they can, probably cook it in a healthy does of real butter for taste, etc. You are going to be taking in a lot more fat and calories , for the most part, at these places.
NOW, whether that is good or bad, that is your call. I, for one, am not worried about what I eat as far as it's calorie content and fat, etc. when I go out. I go out to have a good time, eat well, etc. Other people... Well, that is their call.
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