RE: House Bans Obesity La
A Big Mac meal (burger, large fries, large Coke): 1400 calories, with 55 grams of fat. Based on a 2000 calorie per day diet, that is 85% of your daily recommended fat intake. That is directly from McDonald's own site:
http://www.mcdonalds.com/usa/eat/nutrition_info.html
On 2000 cal/day, that leaves you 600 calories for breakfast and lunch, or 300 calories per meal. Ouch. Even an anorexic fashion model would be feeling hungry again soon after.
Your idea of a home-cooked meal is loaded with fat and carbs and does not offer many of the vital nutrients we need from fresh vegetables and whole grains. I guess corn is good for you, until you soak it in more fat and salt.
My idea of a home cooked meal is a marinated & grilled chicken breast (we rarely eat red meat, less than once a week), a cup of fresh or steamed veggies and a cup of brown rice pilaf or a small baked potato and all the fresh, cold water you can drink. Total calories about 800. A good balance of protein and carbs and low in fat. Plus, lots of minerals and vitamins and absolutely delicous.
Portion control is also a very important concept. If you are going to be eating the kinds of foods you listed in your home cooked meal, the *proper* portions would be so tiny it would be a joke. Portions of a healthy, balanced meal tend to be more generous and since you are getting a good balance in protein, fat, and carbs you tend to be satisfied longer and don't feel the need to snack through the day.
You and the missus should try eating healthy for a few weeks. You will be surprised how much yummy food there is that is actually good for you! Within a couple weeks, I guarantee you will be feeling better, sleeping better and have more overall energy. It takes a little bit of effort to learn how to eat healthy, but it's not too difficult and you don't have to completely give up the foods you love, just try to cut back or save them for special occassions like birthdays, holidays, or get-togethers.
