Eating Fast Food Requires 'Ground Rules'
by Pat Melgares

The 'Super Size' phenomenon at many fast food restaurants may be a good marketing tactic, but it's not so hot for people's diets.

Larger-sized meals often contain a higher amount of calories from fat and sugar than most people should have in one day, not to mention in a single meal, said Sandy Procter, a registered dietitian with Kansas State University Research and Extension.

She suggests that families establish 'ground rules." Adults may wish to order kid's meals for themselves, or split one order of french fries with others. Many restaurants also offer lowfat milk as an alternative to pop, and consumers can request that butter, cheese or salad dressing be provided "on the side," so they can control the amount that goes on a potato or salad.

At a buffet, Procter suggests starting with salad or soup: "That takes the edge off your hunger, then you can go look at the higher-calorie items."

For more information on health and nutrition, interested persons may contact their local K-State Research and Extension office.

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Source: Pat Melgares, News Coordinator
pmelgare@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research and Extension