According to CNN, researchers at the Texas Christian University conducted a study where fast food restaurants had three menus, all with identical items. One menu just listed the foods, the second menu listed the calories of each item, and the third menu listed the number of minutes of brisk walking it would take to burn off that food item.
The study ended up concluding that people who order off the menu with the amount of time it would take to burn off the food item would consume 139 less calories than the people who ordered off the menu without the labels.
This simple study says a lot about Americans in my opinion. It is safe to say Americans generally want to live long healthy lives. The hang up is that ordering something quick at McDonald’s is just too easy for most to pass up, and they do not think of the consequences of eating such a processed “food” item.
We live in a time where it is impossible to stop people from eating in drive thrus and fast food restaurants. But, having the amount of time it would take to burn off the food on the menu at McDonalds would without a doubt be a step in the right direction for people in this country. While I still think it isn’t the solution, it is progress in the right direction.
In my opinion, there shouldn’t be a need for these menus, because people shouldn’t be so drawn to eating fast foods, especially at a drive thru. In the summers, you will find me camping in the woods, riding mountain bikes, or splitting wood for the cold winter ahead in Connecticut at home. There is always work to do, but at home, we always find the time to sit down and eat a proper meal, which is inevitably, healthier than fast food as well. My town doesn’t have a single fast food place, yet we are just as busy with work as people on the west coast eating at McDonalds. When it comes down to it, it is too easy to just go to the drive thru, but you owe it to yourself to sit down and eat a real meal. Not only is it going to be physically healthier than your McChicken, but it’s also much better for your mental health. Sitting down and eating your food, especially healthy food, is something vital to humans, and is something people need to step back in this day and age and appreciate.
Read the article here!
Mr. Food Exploration 