I read about the same study Swati S talks about below as reported by Reuters. In addition to what Swati says about our tendency to eat too many calories when we think the food is healthy, the study also indicates we think meals from so-called “healthy” restaurants are better for us. "People think that the same 1,000-calorie meal has 159 fewer calories if it comes from Subway than if it comes from McDonalds," says Dr. Pierre Chandon, at INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France, in the Reuters article. Dr. Chandon suggests not thinking of food as “good” and “bad” but think about controlling your portions. Read this article at: http://reuters.com
This is very interesting and shows the power of marketing and branding. McDonald's is known as a fast food chain, but Subway is labeled as a sandwich shop. Subway has done a great job with marketing Jared losing his weight by eating Subway. They are also a sponsor or the American Heart Association. Although McDonalds recently partnered up with Bob Greene, Oprah's personal trainer and they started marketing towards mothers. Overall portion control, watching calories and exercise is the most important to weight loss.
I'll agree. I think that almost all dieters tend eat more when they perceive that the food is healthy. But the facts are that weight loss and maintenance doesn't happen without controlling our portions.
As long as you don't load up on the fattening dressing and mayo, you can get a decent meal at Subway that is much much better for you than McDonald's. Oil and vinegar makes a sub taste really good and it is definitely less fattening than the sauce on a Big Mac!
We perceive some restaurants as healthier
Posted by Nancy B.
I read about the same study Swati S talks about below as reported by Reuters. In addition to what Swati says about our tendency to eat too many calories when we think the food is healthy, the study also indicates we think meals from so-called “healthy” restaurants are better for us. "People think that the same 1,000-calorie meal has 159 fewer calories if it comes from Subway than if it comes from McDonalds," says Dr. Pierre Chandon, at INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France, in the Reuters article. Dr. Chandon suggests not thinking of food as “good” and “bad” but think about controlling your portions. Read this article at: http://reuters.com