Fast Food Figuring Out the Facts

Fast Food

Figuring Out the Facts

Survey:

• How many of you eat fast food?
• How often do you eat fast food?
• What is your favorite fast food choice?
• What do you consider “fast food?”
• Do you think fast food is healthy or unhealthy?

What are today’s topics ??
Fast food
Making healthy choices
Energy balance
Portion size
Pop Quiz
Which Meal Has the Least Amount of Fat?
#1 Quarter pound burger with cheese, large fries and diet soda
#2 Crispy chicken salad with 2 ounces of creamy Caesar dressing and regular soda
#3 Taco Salad and bottled water
54 grams
34 grams
48 grams

Too Much Fast Food?

Fast food can contain a lot of fat, calories, and sodium

Eating too much solid fat can raise cholesterol

Eating too many calories can lead to weight gain

High sodium intake is related to high prevalence of high blood pressure in the U.S.

These health problems can lead to serious disease

Diabetes

Heart Disease

Stroke

Some cancers

Fast Food Facts: Portion Sizes

20 Years Ago
Today
How many calories are in today’s order of fries?
Adapted from http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/portion/keep.htm
210 Calories
2.4 ounces
610 Calories
6.9 ounces
400 more calories!

You Do the Math

How much weight is gained by eating 200 extra calories every day for 1 year?

• 200 calories x ____ days in 1 year = extra calories per year

1 pound = 3500 calories

• 73,000 calories/year ÷ 3500 calories/pound =

______ pounds of weight gain in 1 year

365
73,000
20
How long will you have to walk leisurely in order to burn those extra 400 calories?*
*Based on 160-pound person
Energy Balance
Calories In = Calories Out
Adapted from http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/portion/keep.htm
If you walk leisurely for 1 hour and 10 minutes you will burn approximately 400 calories.*

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

• Be more physically active
• Physical activity is a key to energy balance
• Enjoy your food, but eat less
• Cut back on foods high in solid fats and added sugars
• Avoid oversized portions

200 calories =

• 1 chocolate cream filled cupcake
• 20 chocolate coated peanut candies
• 5 chicken nuggets
• 1 large chocolate chip cookie
• 1 fast food medium soda

Some Fat Is Good!

• What are the benefits of fat?
• Cushion and protect organs
• Needed for energy
• Helps with vitamin absorption
• What foods have fats that are good for the body?
• Tree nuts
• Fish
• Vegetable oils

Healthy Hints

• Try vegetables on pizza – choose fatty meat toppings less often
• Choose grilled chicken – cut back on fried foods
• Avoid oversized portions – choose a smaller size option
• Be creative – try baked potato, side salads, bean burritos, or frozen yogurt – make half your plate fruits and vegetables!
• What other healthy hints do you have?

Activity: Fast Food Makeover

Fast Food

• Make Healthier Choices
• Choose lower calorie, fat, and sodium foods
• Go for smaller portions
• Remember Energy Balance
• Get your physical activity
• Balance the calories you need with the calories you eat

Thank you for your attention!