Most people in Houston who are trying to shed a few pounds know that the best way to really keep track of their calorie intake is to prepare most if not all of their meals at home. As we've reviewed in previous posts, even seemingly light fare at your favorite local eatery may be saddled with more fat, sugar and salt than you think, and a new study conducted in New England has only served to underline that fact.
According to a press release from Harvard Medical School, researchers have discovered that American consumers routinely underestimate the calorie count of fast food items. The study involved collecting receipts from a diverse group of Americans in New England that included 1877 adults, 1178 teens and 330 children. Participants were asked to guess the total amount of calories they'd consumed during a given meal. The researchers then used their receipts to calculate the actual figures.
The data revealed that two-thirds of survey-takers believed they'd taken in fewer calories than their meals really contained. The study was centered on popular fast food chains including McDonald's, Burger King and Subway. Diners who went to the sandwich shop reportedly missed the mark by the most substantial amounts, undercalculating by about 25 more than people who ate at McDonald's.
Overall, less than 25 percent of participants said they'd seen nutritional information on display at these establishments when they ate there, and an even smaller group – just 5 percent – told the researchers that they'd taken such details into account when deciding on their purchases.
If you have been trying to lose weight but just haven't been able to shed those extra pounds through dieting and exercise, medical weight loss in Houston may be the right step for you. Contact the anti-aging doctors at Longevity Centres of America to learn more.