Restaurant Statistics

With today's busy schedules and fast-paced environment, Americans are looking for the quickest and easiest way to get food on the table, the result of which is a cost to our health. And when we are tired, we often compromise on what we eat, not making the healthiest choices, in an effort to just get food into our stomachs. We think just because we're sitting down at a table with a waiter, we're eating healthy.

In addition to the (unknown) content of the food, restaurants have limited menus and are often inconsistent in their food preparation: one week it tastes one way; the next week it tastes another.

Fast food, curbside-to-go, and chain restaurants - the real price we pay from eating out is our expanding waistlines, increased diet-related diseases, and a drain of our wallets. Packaged food marketers and restaurants load meals with “empty calories,” “hidden” ingredients, MSG, sodium and other preservatives, According to a segment from the Today Show (aired 11/27/07):

  • The average American will eat 81 restaurant meals a year and take home 127 meals
  • People underestimate calories by 93% (University of Arkansas survey)
  • If you eat out once a week, you get an extra 600 restaurant calories which add up to 30,000 extra calories in your diet every year and a weight gain of 9-10 pounds
  • Restaurant portions are larger than home-cooked meals and can be well over 1,000 calories

Did you know...

Given that ideally we should have no more than 30 grams of fat and 1,800-2,300 mg of sodium each day in our diets, consider the following. It may be convenient, but is it healthy? These popular restaurant chains offer:

UNO'S*

A 6-inch Classic Deep Dish Pizza
= 2,310 calories, 162 g fat and 4,470 mg sodium
= eating 18 slices of Domino's crunchy think crust cheese pizza

Macaroni Grill*

Spaghetti with Meatballs and Meat Sauce
= 2,430 calories, 207 carbs
= eating an entire pan of homemade lasagna with tomato sauce, meat and cheese

Double Macaroni 'n Cheese
= 1,210 calories, 62 g fat, 3,450 mg sodium
= eating 1½ boxes of Kraft Macaroni N Cheese

Chicken Portobello
= 7,300 mg sodium
= 48 strips of bacon

Olive Garden*

Stuffed Chicken Marsala (w/Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes)
= 1315 calories, 86 g fat, 2,550 mg sodium

Ruby Tuesday*

Turkey Burger on a Roll
= 1,145 calories, 71 g fat, 56 carbs
= 2 McDonald's Big Macs w/Cheese

Boston Market*

Boston Turkey Carver
= 770 calories, 27 g fat, 1,810 mg sodium

Baja Fresh*

2 grilled Mahi-Mahi Tacos
= 460 calories, 18 g fat, 600 mg sodium

Chilis*

Citrus Fire Chicken & Shrimp Fajitas (w/the works)
= 1,360 calories, 73 g fat, 4,570 mg sodium

Outback*

Aussie Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing
= 2,900 calories, 240 carbs
= 14 Krispy Crème donuts while still saving 100 calories and 14 g fat

*Source: David Zinczenko, Editor-in-Chief of Men's Health Magazine and Author of EAT THIS, NOT THAT!

There is no comparison to having a personal chef prepare your meals as opposed to eating in restaurants. So why not save significant calories, fat and sodium, as well as money, by skipping or limiting restaurant meals. Shelley will customize portion-controlled meals for you with only fresh, natural ingredients and no additives or preservatives.

Contact Shelley for a free consultation.