Study suggests restaurant menus should include calorie burning exercise tips
Posted Apr 25, 2013 7:56 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Research out of Texas Christian University has found people would be more likely to make healthier food choices, if they knew how much exercise would be required to make those calories disappear after they put the fork down.
Three hundred people between the ages of 18 and 30 participated in the study; they were given different menus ranging from no added information, to some that featured a calorie count, with others breaking down the calorie burning exercise details.
Most of those who were given information about how much sweat would be required after the dining experience were more likely to choose a lower calorie meal.
Toronto nutritionist Elizabeth Zemelman with the Nutrition Group tells 660News, she is not surprised by the results of the study, saying the information puts food in a different perspective.
Zemelman doubts restaurants will voluntarily add the information to their menus, suggesting it might be something the government will want to legislate in an effort to improve the health of Canadians.
She says when it comes to eating, you can never discount the power of cause and effect.
It’s estimated people who eat a bacon cheeseburger meal at a fast food restaurant, which comes in at more than 1200 calories, should be prepared to spend 100 minutes on an elliptical trainer to make it disappear.
Those who like to eat a chocolate bar in the afternoon to break up the day should plan to spend 13 minutes climbing the stairs after they enjoy their treat.
