Take Me Out to the Buffet
Last week, the Associated Press ran a story on a disturbing and growing trend—“all you can eat” seating at sports events. For 50 percent more, your ticket purchase can include limitless peanuts and Cracker Jacks and whatever else your stomach may desire (alcohol and deserts sold separately). When I say “growing” trend, trust me, the pun is intended! This is being sold as a convenience for the customer who no longer has to wait in line for 20 minutes or more to purchase one of the many nutritious items on the stadium menu. Instead, you can belly on up to a cash-free concession stand sporting your special wristband and avoid waiting in a long line.
AP states that nearly half of the 30 major league baseball teams now offer this convenience to their fans. Now, in their defense, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Oakland Athletics have offered some healthier choices (salad bars and fruit cups/garden burgers respectively).
The CDC reports a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States over the past 20 years. In 2006, 22 states achieved an astounding 25% prevalence or higher of obesity. This is more than double what the obesity rates were a generation ago.
A key issue highlighted by the “all you can eat” phenomena is confusion about recommended portion sizes. In a survey conducted by the American Institute for Cancer Research last year, only 1% of the participants could correctly determine proper portions for a variety of foods. Serving sizes are generally far smaller than we think. At the same time, prepackaged food and restaurant meals have grown; the result being that if you eat just one, you will in all likelihood be eating more than one serving. Read the label on that bag of chips the next time you get the munchies, and you’ll discover that a “serving” is usually 12 chips or less. A small bag of potato chips is actually 2 or more servings, not a single serving.
In our “super-sized” society, there are some highlights, however. Whether it was truly due to “menu simplification” as McDonald’s claimed, or whether it was due in part to Morgan Spurlock’s documentary “Super Size Me”, McDonald’s did phase out their Supersize fries and drinks in 2004 and added some healthier choices with salads and fruit.
In this climate of over-consumption, it is extremely important to keep track of the calories you are taking in. If you are going to indulge, make sure you balance it out by reducing your calories another day. That’s what calorie cycling is all about. The bottom line: The best plan for healthy and sustained weight loss remains a balanced diet combined with regular exercise. Passing on the “all you can eat” seats may be best bet at hitting a home run.
