Fast Food Research

Independent Living

Survey

Raise your hand if you eat fast food about:

Once a day

Once a week

Once a month

Never

Fast Food Stats

Over 25 percent of Americans consume fast food every day.

The most common vegetable served at fast food places is the potato in the form of French fries.

There is no problem with eating fast food occasionally, but if you are eating it more than once a week, consider ordering some healthier options that are more nutritional.

More Stats

Tips: How to be a little more healthy eating fast food

Don’t order the biggest sizes

Skip the soda

Skip mayo, gravy, spreads or dressing (or choose low-fat/fat-free)

Skip fried foods

Go for the kids menu

Find the “light” menu

Look for nutrition information

Fast food does not have to be bad for you. By making smart choices, eating fast food restaurants can still be healthy.

Effects of eating fast food

Calories and weightAccording to the 15-year study,

people who ate fast food at least three times a week gained an extra 9.9 pounds of body weight

the average fast food lunch in New York totaled 827 calories. Moreover, one-third of purchases topped 1,000 calories

Heart attack or stroke

Effects of eating fast food

Depression and AddictionThe more fast food you eat,

the greater your risk of depression becomes

Insulin and Type 2 DiabetesSame study: people had a

two-fold greater increase in insulin resistance when compared to those who ate fast food less than once a week.

Recommended calories/day

Women=2000*

Men=2200*

*Athletes will have higher daily calorie needs (up to 5,000)

*Teenage girls need between 1,800 to 2,400

*Teen boys need 2,200 to 3,200 calories.

Recommended fat/day

Women= 60g with 16g or less saturated fat

Men= 70g with 17g or less saturated fat

Sodium/day

Do not exceed 2300 milligrams

SugarMen=36 grams, 9 teaspoons

Women=24 grams, 6 teaspoons

Average American sugar consumption

My favorite fast food meal to order:

Runza: 4 piece chicken strips with fries and a side of ranch

Chicken strips

Fries Ranch Total:

Calories 370 410 300 1080

Fat 20g 23g 32g 75g

Sodium 760mg 300mg 620mg 1680 mg

Dairy Queen chicken strip basket

http://www.acaloriecounter.com/fast-food.php

Assignment

Look up your favorite meals and document calories, grams of fat and sodium

Use Google to search for restaurant

For example: Google: McDonalds Nutrition and a pdf file will pop up

Or go directly to their website: runza.com