Why Eating Out is Usually Detrimental to Weight Loss
A survey was recently performed of chefs in top restaurants, to see if calorie content in the meals they cook was even part of their equation when they determined what meals to make and if they would be liked by consumers. Only about one in six chefs said that calorie content (aka meal portions and fat content etc) mattered to them at all when they dreamt up their restaurant’s concoctions and fare.
What does this mean for you, if you’re concerned about calorie consumption and keeping your weight down or at least maintaining a healthy weight and healthy body?
Well, it means quite simply that unless you are specifically ordering off the light menu, which discloses the calorie, fat and fiber content of a meal at a good restaurant, you are probably consuming upwards of a 1,000 calories or more at a restaurant meal.
This is over one half of the recommended daily calorie intake for many body types, and when it’s consumed all in one meal, it can wreak havoc on the metabolism and the appetite.
If you think of a restaurant meal, you have to take into consideration that there is usually some kind of bread and salad or soup served before the actual meal, and because you are paying a good price for the food, you are more inclined to actually consume more than you would normally at home.
This means more calories, and more fat, and bigger thighs and bellies for us Americans. Portion control and calorie control are a big part of maintaining a healthy weight. This means eating out less can translate into a healthy body, heart, mind, cholesterol and blood pressure level, and countless other health benefits that can be gained by low fat, low calorie home cookin’.
