'Extreme Eating' a Big Fat Problem

Feb. 26, 2007 — -- Regular restaurant-goers could be tucking away many more calories than they realize when they go out to eat, a consumer advocacy group reported Monday.

In an article in the March issue of the Center for Science in the Public Interest's Nutrition Action Healthletter, the group says consumers may be unaware of the massive calorie counts of many appetizers, entrees and desserts at popular restaurants, since this information is not presented on the menu.

And they say the problem is getting worse.

Jayne Hurley, senior nutritionist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest and author of the article, says that when she first started studying the caloric content of restaurant foods, the numbers were already frightening; 1,000-calorie appetizers, entrees and desserts were common.

Now, however, she says that it is not unusual to find appetizers and entrees containing 2,000 calories apiece, topped off with a 1,500-calorie dessert.

"The numbers just keep on climbing, and because the information is not on the menu, the restaurants don't clue people in."

But the restaurant industry says the article is misleading. In a press statement issued Monday, the National Restaurant Association, which is composed of 935,000 restaurants and food service outlets nationwide, called the report "outrageous."

"Pointing to a select few menu items at a select few restaurants as being high in calories and generalizing that to all restaurant fare is misleading, inaccurate and does the public a grave disservice," the statement reads.

The article strikes to the heart of an activity that has become a national pastime for many Americans, who typically go out to eat about four times a week.

This affinity for restaurant dining could be one of the reasons for ever-expanding waistlines in the country.

"The big problem here is that people are eating out in record numbers," Hurley says. "On average, people get one-third of their calories in restaurants, so in a way, restaurants deserve part of the blame for the country's obesity problem."