The WMDs that Americans should be concerned about are not hidden missile caches in the Middle East or nuclear weapons testing by North Korea. The real WMDs we should be worried about are those that we put inside our bodies every day.
Those people who eat out on a consistent basis instead of fixing natural, homemade meals, often end up eating as much as twice or three times as much of their daily caloric requirements. Sure, when you’re working out you need to refuel, but, unless you’re an elite athlete working out 6 or 7 hours a day, you should not be eating this much. Even the foods touted as “healthy” can greatly compromise your fitness efforts.
For example, take the Ruby Tuesday Bella Turkey Burger. Seems healthy from the name, right? Don’t make assumptions until you see the facts. (You know what they say about assuming, right? It makes an ass out of you and me, and in this case, assumptions may lead to an unwanted increase in ass.)Â Check it out:
1,145 calories
71 g fat
56 g carbs
1100+ calories in one sitting!
What about this food, which has “guiltless” in the name, implying that you can eat it without being concerned about your diet:
Chili’s Guiltless Grill Chicken Platter
2,780 mg sodium
590 calories
85 g carbohydrates
That amount of sodium is more than the recommended serving for an entire day (2300 mg)!
There are many more unhealthy foods listed here and here. However, you can find what is good for you to eat when you have to eat out. I personally stick to salads without too many toppings, such as bacon bits (sodium is insane) and too much dressing. Remember, you’re eating a salad, don’t make it into a soup with dressing!
Without diligence and discipline, we will destroy ourselves from the inside out. This does not affect only a select few number of people; an unprecedented 2/3 of Americans are reported to be overweight and obese. We all know that unhealthy habits lead to preventable diseases such as diabetes, and heart disease. Too many people are facing skyrocketing medical bills and even death due to the habits that characterize the average American (fast food eating, sedentary lifestyles, working too many hours at work). Because of these numbers, Americans will be destroyed by the weapons of mass destruction fed to us by the food industry.
*Disclaimer: Not all restaurants are bad; I just want you who are working towards a healthy lifestyle to be careful and know the facts before ordering your food 
Great post! And remember that the 2300 mg of sodium isn’t even the recommended amount for the day- that’s the uppermost limit! It’s disgusting how much excess salt is packed into everything these days.
It’d be really great if it were mandatory for ALL restaurants to have nutrition facts and ingredient lists available to the public. Then we’d get to know EXACTLY what we’re putting in our bodies… WMD is right!
*Disclaimer: Not all restaurants are bad; I just want you who are working towards a healthy lifestyle to be careful and know the facts before ordering your food
Name 1 restaurant that serves primarily healthy food that has been in business for longer than 10 years.
Sushi doesn’t count
Re: Moderation – check out this post
http://whyareyousofat.wordpress.com/2008/04/30/everything-in-moderation-really-everything/
You can’t put limits on that request; sushi definitely counts. Maybe as a whole big-chain restaurants are bad, but there are healthy choices within the restaurant. I am sure there are small restaurants and cafes that have been successful in serving healthy food. That’s why I said just be careful of what you order.
Jay,
I completely agree that there are some healthy choices at most restaurants, and that there are some restaurants that cook more nutritious foods.
On your blog, you are already speaking to the converted. We are the ones that already tell the waiter to replace the loaded baked potato with steamed vegetables.
Didn’t mean to diss you.
I guess my real question/comment is how do we convince the ‘average Joe’ that McDonalds is not making his life better.
The fact is, people vote with their wallets, and they have chosen junk food.
Top 10 Restaurants by Sales in the U.S.A.
1. McDonald’s
2. Burger King
3. Wendy’s
4. Subway
5. Taco Bell
6. Pizza Hut
7. KFC
8. Applebee’s
9. Starbucks
10. Domino’s
It’s cool. I have yet to have figure out how to reach out to the non-converted. I agree 100% with you that people have chosen with their wallets; the problem is getting people out of their habits. It’s sad to see even kids choosing to spend their allowances at places on that list and even more difficult for me to stand by and watch my friends gain that freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior 15 (or 20, 30, etc.).
I read that moderation article. The concrete example is a bit hyperbole, but I understand the logic behind it. Made me think a little.
SO TRUE.
it’s not a never thing but you NEED (one needs
) to make INFORMED DECISIONS when eating out.
be aware of the havoc yer wreaking
Agreed. There will be times that you have to go out to a restaurant (party, business meeting, etc.) and staying disciplined requires making informed decisions!
Cute comment about the ass! hehehe – didn’t tell me that one when you wrote it!