Restaurant Food Is More Unhealthy Than Cheap Fast Food, Study Finds
Think Restaurant Food Is Healthier Than Fast Food? Think Again...
Rachel Moss— The Huffington Post UK
|
If you think forking out for a meal in a restaurant is better for your health than eating cheap fast food, you could be mistaken.
New research has shown that restaurant grub may be just as bad for salt and cholesterol levels as take out burgers.
Although restaurant food provides consumers with more nutrients than fast food - including vitamins, potassium and omega-3 fatty acids - it also contains more sodium on average.
Open Image Modal
The study, conducted by Professor Ruopeng An at the University of Illinois, looked at health data from 18,000 adults in the US to draw its conclusions.
It also found that home-cooked meals were healthiest of all, with people who cooked their own food eating around 200 calories less per day than those who bought their food outside the home.
"People who ate at full-service restaurants consumed significantly more cholesterol per day than people who ate at home," An commented.
"This extra intake of cholesterol, about 58 milligrams per day, accounts for 20% of the recommended upper bound of total cholesterol intake of 300 milligrams per day."
Open Image Modal
An found that eating at fast food outlets added 300 milligrams of sodium to an individual's daily intake, and restaurant dining boosts sodium intake by 412 milligrams per day, on average.
"The additional sodium is even more worrisome because the average daily sodium intake among Americans is already so far above the recommended upper limit, posing a significant public health concern, such as hypertension and heart disease," An said.
Most people in America consume about 3,400 milligrams of sodium a day — more than twice the 1,500 milligrams recommended by the American Heart Association, so finding ways to reduce intake is vital.
This isn't the first study to find that seemingly "healthy" food is just as bad for our health as more traditional fast food.
The study, conducted by Consumer group Which?, found Asda's 290g piri piri chicken pasta salad to be one of the worst offenders.
At the time of testing it contained two thirds of the recommended daily fat intake at 46.5g and had more fat than a Burger King bacon and cheese whopper.
A teaspoon of butter spread over a cracker or crispbread is a great to nip stodge and salt cravings in the bud - perfect for hangover days and when you're feeling stressed or tired. (credit:Donald Erickson via Getty Images)
Hummus With Crudites(02 of10)
Open Image Modal
Packed with chickpeas, hummus is great for a healthy protein fix. Unlike sugar and refined carbs, protein will also keep you full for longer. A good afternoon snack if you're heading to the gym after work and need something to keep you going until evening. As it is pretty moreish, don't bring a whole tub into work - decant some into a small plastic container and serve it with crudites, olives or a couple of mini pitta breads. (credit:Michael Powell via Getty Images)
Toasted Spicy Seeds(03 of10)
Open Image Modal
There are times when only something crunchy will do. Seeds are a healthier alternative than crisps and lower in calories than nuts. But let's face it, on their own they can be pretty boring. Give them a Bombay Mix-style makeover by spreading them on a baking sheet, sprinkling with a selection of your favourite spices and a drizzle of rapeseed oil and toasting them in the oven. (credit:Sarka Babicka via Getty Images)
Roasted Sweet Potato(04 of10)
Open Image Modal
Cut them into chunks, wedges or thin crisps, drizzle with oil and plenty of salt and cracked black pepper and roast in the oven. They'll not only fill the gap when you've got a hunger pang, they'll take the edge over your sweet craving, too - especially if you allow them to caramelise in the oven. (credit:Jason Loucas via Getty Images)
Oat Cakes(05 of10)
Open Image Modal
When you've got a hankering for biscuits, it's time to call in the oat cakes. They're pretty tasty on their own but they're not exactly Chocolate Hobnobs. For a sweet hit, smear with cream cheese and top with fruit. (credit:David Marsden via Getty Images)
Olives(06 of10)
Open Image Modal
Olives are the perfect solution when you're feeling bored or stressed and you just want something to pick at. They also pack a salty punch so make a good alternative to crisps. (credit:Thomas Barwick via Getty Images)
Falafel(07 of10)
Open Image Modal
Yet again protein-packed chickpeas come to the rescue. But check the pack before you buy and make sure they're baked, not fried. Even better, make your own. (credit:Clive Streeter via Getty Images)
Edamame Beans(08 of10)
Open Image Modal
The bean of choice for supermodels and Victoria Beckham. Surely that's all you need to know. (credit:Hidehiro Kigawa via Getty Images)
Popcorn(09 of10)
Open Image Modal
Staff kitchen got a microwave? You could do worse than keep a stash of pine kernels in your desk drawer. A cupful of plain popcorn with a teaspoon of oil will only cost you a measly 55 calories. Once you pop you can't stop. (credit:Melissa Ross via Getty Images)
Salad In A Jar(10 of10)
Open Image Modal
Salad? In a jar? Yes, that's what we thought at first. But you know how you can't take salad to work unless you take the dressing in a separate container because it all goes soggy? Well, think about it - if you put your dressing in the bottom of a jar, pile all your salad on top, your salad stays fresh and crisp until you shake the jar to 'toss' it. Genius. (credit:Fort Worth Star-Telegram via Getty Images)