Sticker Shock
New York’s fast-food devotes got some unappetizing news this week. The city’s health department began issuing citations to businesses that were not complying with a new rule requiring chain restaurants to post calorie information on their menus. The numbers are in some cases pretty shocking. But there are also some calorie bargains to be had. We started with a super-low-calorie lunch at Subway followed by dessert and coffee at Starbucks—call it the Supermodel Lunch. Then we went to the other end of the scale for a giant diet-busting lunch. The verdict? You’ll save about $4 and 1,800 calories on the low-cal meal, but you might wind up hungry and in need of a good protein snack. Meanwhile, the supersized lunch has an entire day’s worth of calories, at 2,150. Let’s hope New Yorkers can find a middle ground.
New York's fast-food devotes got some unappetizing news this week. The city's health department began issuing citations to businesses that were not complying with a new rule requiring chain restaurants to post calorie information on their menus. The numbers are in some cases pretty shocking. But there are also some calorie bargains to be had. We started with a super-low-calorie lunch at Subway followed by dessert and coffee at Starbucks—call it the Supermodel Lunch. Then we went to the other end of the scale for a giant diet-busting lunch. The verdict? You'll save about $4 and 1,800 calories on the low-cal meal, but you might wind up hungry and in need of a good protein snack. Meanwhile, the supersized lunch has an entire day's worth of calories, at 2,150. Let's hope New Yorkers can find a middle ground.
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Posted By: DodgerFan @ 05/12/2008 5:11:05 PM
Comment: The last sentence in the article says it all: find the middle ground. It is not necessary to starve or gorge oneself. A great alternative to the extremes shown here would be: a sandwich with whole wheat bread, 1-2 ounces of turkey breast, 1 tsp mayo, some mustard, lettuce, and tomatoes. Have some carrot or celery sticks on the side and a fresh apple or orange for desert. Wash it down with some low-fat milk or just plain water.
On the days when I cannot brown bag it, I go to Subway and order the 6-inch turkey sandwich. I ask the preparer to give me half the meat and no cheese, hold the oil and mayo, and extra lettuce and tomatoes. I get some funny looks from the staff, but it works for me. If you are not so masochistic, just order the standard 6-inch turkey. It's a lot healthier than a burger or burrito, and a lot more appealing than my custom sandwich from dieter's hell. Oh yeah, get some Sun chips instead of the regular chips. And skip the soda and drink plain old water.
Here is a great website with diet plans of winter olympic athletes. Very few people need 6,000 calories per day like an Olympic cross-country skier in training, but the diet plans give some ideas for healthy and balanced eating. Just scale down the portion sizes to meet the requirements for normal people, about 1,500 to 2,500 calories per day.
http://btc.montana.edu/olympics/nutrition/profile-intro.html
Posted By: nygrandma @ 05/11/2008 9:00:57 AM
Comment: This salad may be low cal, but it lacks staying power. The article states you might need some protein later. I say why not have it with your lunch and replace the sugar loaded apple tart with a fresh apple or orange?
Posted By: skinnyminny2 @ 05/09/2008 4:57:00 PM
Comment: You can get a Subway veggie that has just 260 calories provided you don't get cheese or oil on it. Then, get a plain coffee and have an apple for dessert. Meat, sugar and oil ruin everything!