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Friday, June 9, 2006
How often do you eat out?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It used to be that eating out was a special occasion thing. You know, for birthdays, anniversaries and maybe celebrating a new job or visit from an out of town friend. But, now we eat out all of the time. The National Restaurant Association says that the average American eats out four times a week. But, if you look at certain age groups, such as “generation Y” under age 27, these people are eating out up to 30 times a week!
How is that possible?OK. Just think about it. Breakfast at the bagel place. Lunch at work cafeteria or fast food place or sandwich shop. Dinner out with friends. Then add in all of the stops at eateries for snacks..and on the run beverages and we’re up to 30. It’s a lifestyle now. It’s living off the land. The 136-page report prepared by The Keystone Center, an education and public group based in Keystone, Colo., said Americans now consume fully one-third of their daily intake of calories outside the home.
Nutritionists are concerned because they’re trying to figure out why so many more people are so much fatter than they used to be. Could eating out be part of the problem here? Should we be more careful about what we’re eating when we’re away from home? Here are some sad stats… as of 2000, the average American took in 300 more calories a day than was the case 15 years earlier, according to Agriculture Department. SO , those extra calories are coming from somewhere.
SO, how often do you eat out? Eating out more than before? Do you think about nutrition and diet when you’re eating out? Or do you only think about that when eating at home. And when is THAT???
