Study: Subway Sandwiches Are Worse Than We Think

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Replies

  • dawningr
    dawningr Posts: 387 Member
    Subway has nutrition info slapped on their display case AND printed on their napkins. It's not that tough to find a lower calorie option there.
  • ahviendha
    ahviendha Posts: 1,291 Member
    this makes me want subway for dinner.
  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    Subway has nutrition info slapped on their display case AND printed on their napkins. It's not that tough to find a lower calorie option there.

    Really? Never noticed. :wink:
  • ellen_kay
    ellen_kay Posts: 304 Member
    4000 calories? How do you do that?

    I work with a guy who could eat that in one sitting and comes close to it almost everyday at lunch. He eats very high caloric/fatty foods and it shows
  • OMGSugarOHNOS
    OMGSugarOHNOS Posts: 204 Member
    A 4,000 calorie meal sounds amazing.
    fyp
  • charlesnapolitano
    charlesnapolitano Posts: 302 Member
    its a crap study dont believe everything u read i bet the study was done by mcdonalds
  • Kilokata
    Kilokata Posts: 111
    I didn't read anything but the OP, but it's pretty obvious to me that if you eat something the size of your head (a footlong Subway sandwich) you're probably exceeding your recommended caloric intake for that meal. There's nothing wrong with Subway - in fact, if you have to eat on the run it's better than any other "fast food" restaurant out there. Simple logic still applies. Get a 6", not a footlong. No cheese. No fat-based mayonnaise sauces. You can have a 6" ham/chicken/turkey/roast beef for like 350 calories and still get a few servings of vegetables in there.

    Meh.
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    Subway has nutrition info slapped on their display case AND printed on their napkins. It's not that tough to find a lower calorie option there.

    This. Unless you are blind or illiterate, there really is little excuse for not being able to low cal option at Subway.

    For crying out loud, even if you can't count or add up, they have their "If you are watching this eat this and not this stickers on the cases."

    About the only way they could make it easier is if the sandwich prepper told you how many calories were in everything and gave you a running total as you made the sandwich. Then maybe they can come into the bathroom with you to wipe your backside and wash your hands for you too.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    Subway has nutrition info slapped on their display case AND printed on their napkins. It's not that tough to find a lower calorie option there.

    This. Unless you are blind or illiterate, there really is little excuse for not being able to low cal option at Subway.

    For crying out loud, even if you can't count or add up, they have their "If you are watching this eat this and not this stickers on the cases."

    About the only way they could make it easier is if the sandwich prepper told you how many calories were in everything and gave you a running total as you made the sandwich. Then maybe they can come into the bathroom with you to wipe your backside and wash your hands for you too.

    The problem is, I think, those labels don't include cheese or dressing.

    Take a 320 calorie sub and add mayo and cheese, and suddenly you have a 430 calorie sub. Add in that bag of chips and soda and you're looking at 700 calories.
  • ZoeLifts
    ZoeLifts Posts: 10,347 Member
    I seriously have my doubts that people who eat at fast food restarurants once a week are counting calories. I guess they are trying to be healthy after all when they order a Big Mac, large fries and then get a diet coke they are trying to save a few calories (Sarcasm intended).

    I love broad, sweeping generalizations (sarcasm intended).
  • So it's not that Subway, McDonald's or other fast food restaurants are worse than we think, it's that people suck at estimating calories? Oh, that's why I usually look up nutrition information prior to going places like that. :ohwell:

    Agreed!

    Same boat, it has nothing to do with estimations more over what your eating. I can eat a salad with a BUCKET of crappy dressing and that light healthy meal now is junk city. Know what your eating and how much. Simple. Subway is healthy just look where the calories come from. As apposed to proccessed foods like mcd. Is that tomato fake? Is the veggies fake? Is perhaps the peppers fake? NO?! so If I had a salad with all that stuff in it and no dressing it would be . . . healthy right? Maybe it's the dressing and the bread?

    or perhaps the problem is WHERE are the calories coming from. How many calories are in my daily mango . . . about 100. Wait wait. So your saying if I eat 2 mangos its worse than drinking a soda? Soda has 120 per serv maybe 2.5 serv? No a mango is HEALTHY so the calories are GOOD not bad, its not processed sugars or crappy chemicals.

    Pay attention people. Perhaps it's the bread and dressing take it away what do you have?

    So just as the mango has 100 calories how many does the meat have? plus the peppers? plus the olives. High calories yes processed foods? NOPE
  • abbylg1983
    abbylg1983 Posts: 177 Member
    Exactly. Amazing how so many former fatties here on MFP just can't believe that the average person can't estimate calories or doesn't know that you can get calorie info online. So, ...none of you ended up here cuase you were fat and underestimated how many calories it took to maintain a healthy weight?

    We're all informed now. But most of us weren't before. Which is why we got FAT.
    Lighten up on the back patting people.

    I don't think people are saying that they can't believe it, or that they are in someway better people. I certainly didn't.

    When I said "people suck at estimating calories", I rather included myself in the group known as 'people'. I still suck at estimating calories, which is why I use MFP. Sure, I'm a lot better than I was, but give me a month without MFP and I'm pretty sure my average daily calories would gradually increase. Especially if you threw a bunch of new foods into my dietary mix.

    I don't really log food anymore, although I am still hoping to lose some weight, but my main goal right now is eating a better quality and variety of food than before, as opposed to limiting calories. But I did log for about 6 months every day, no exceptions, and I remember being shocked by the calorie counts of some of the things I ate that were "healthy". I mean, a bowl of Cheerios (a bowl, not a cup) is going to run you about 400 calories by the time you add milk. That's insane. Meat and cheese regularly get blamed for the calorie content on a sub or pizza, but the bread and sauces are truly the heavy hitters. I think everyone should log their calories for a few weeks because the results are pretty eye opening.

    The subway results are not that surprising. I don't even like Subway- if lunch is going to cost me 500 calories, I'd just as soon get a hamburger and fries. A six inch chicken breast sub with no cheese still runs close to 400 calories, plus I'm usually still hungry once I finish it so I end up eating something else anyways. But sometimes I think people feel like calories magically disappear when you're dealing with food that doesn't come 100% from the deep fat fryer.
  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    Subway has some of the worst tasting food on the planet. By far the worst bread of any place ive ever been.
  • Hearts_2015
    Hearts_2015 Posts: 12,032 Member
    sodium,sodium and more sodium is what comes to mind when the word Subway is mentioned. I don't find it a healthy choice for myself, eating 1 meal there would put me way over for the day.

    Though I didn't read the entire post I do feel strongly about this for myself when I hear the word Subway.:flowerforyou:

    Not knocking those of you that enjoy it and can fit it in your macros & have the cals/sodium to spare, it's merely something that is conflicting what healthy is for MY body, in my opinion.

    I'm really enjoying cooking at home and the variety I have to do so... perhaps that's part of my reasoning as well.:happy:
  • dawningr
    dawningr Posts: 387 Member
    Subway has nutrition info slapped on their display case AND printed on their napkins. It's not that tough to find a lower calorie option there.

    This. Unless you are blind or illiterate, there really is little excuse for not being able to low cal option at Subway.

    For crying out loud, even if you can't count or add up, they have their "If you are watching this eat this and not this stickers on the cases."

    About the only way they could make it easier is if the sandwich prepper told you how many calories were in everything and gave you a running total as you made the sandwich. Then maybe they can come into the bathroom with you to wipe your backside and wash your hands for you too.

    The problem is, I think, those labels don't include cheese or dressing.

    Take a 320 calorie sub and add mayo and cheese, and suddenly you have a 430 calorie sub. Add in that bag of chips and soda and you're looking at 700 calories.

    Actually the cheese triangles are on the napkins too. Their bottles of mayo gross me out so I never checked for that. And the chips have calorie info on the bags. And well, soda you're on your own.
  • AlongCame_Molly
    AlongCame_Molly Posts: 2,835 Member
    I go to Subway and order a Veggie Delight Sandwich or Veggie Delight Salad.

    Just figure up your calories and you will be fine, there is nothing wrong about Subway.

    Aside from the fact that it tastes like absolute *kitten*, no, nothing excessively wrong. Lol.
  • MizTerry
    MizTerry Posts: 3,763 Member
    I still like my half a spicy Italian with extra lettuce, spinach, jalapenos, cucumbers and banana peppers.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    I go to Subway and order a Veggie Delight Sandwich or Veggie Delight Salad.

    Just figure up your calories and you will be fine, there is nothing wrong about Subway.

    Aside from the fact that it tastes like absolute *kitten*, no, nothing excessively wrong. Lol.

    Tastes better than chia seeds and sugar-free pudding.
  • bacitracin
    bacitracin Posts: 921 Member
    4000 calories in one meal? I'm fairly certain i've gotten up to 6000 at once before... but it was all dessert around Thanksgiving.
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    Subway has nutrition info slapped on their display case AND printed on their napkins. It's not that tough to find a lower calorie option there.

    This. Unless you are blind or illiterate, there really is little excuse for not being able to low cal option at Subway.

    For crying out loud, even if you can't count or add up, they have their "If you are watching this eat this and not this stickers on the cases."

    About the only way they could make it easier is if the sandwich prepper told you how many calories were in everything and gave you a running total as you made the sandwich. Then maybe they can come into the bathroom with you to wipe your backside and wash your hands for you too.

    The problem is, I think, those labels don't include cheese or dressing.

    Take a 320 calorie sub and add mayo and cheese, and suddenly you have a 430 calorie sub. Add in that bag of chips and soda and you're looking at 700 calories.

    A fair comment. I think there is only so much they can do. They do state what's included and what isn't. It's tough given the model, since they can't possibly include all combinations of ingredients and sides.

    Sooner or later, people need to start engaging the gray matter. I think that so long as the basic information is available, the company has met it's responsibilities.

    What would be quite cool would be an in-store 'nutrition terminal'. Basically a computer displaying the Subway meal builder site. The costs would be high, for very little return, however. I'd never dream of saying that something like that should be required.
  • SkinnyBubbaGaar
    SkinnyBubbaGaar Posts: 389 Member
    Makes me think of this classic SNL bit where Jared gains back over 245+ pounds by continuing to eat at "Sub Shack"....


    http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/digital-shorts/video/subshack/229050/


    "I've always wanted to where a pair of pants like this (holds up size 60" waist trousers). Now I can, because I went back. To Sub Shack (big thumbs up sign) !!!


    tumblr_mdpfnhcwBQ1qbk2qco1_500.jpg
  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    I go to Subway and order a Veggie Delight Sandwich or Veggie Delight Salad.

    Just figure up your calories and you will be fine, there is nothing wrong about Subway.

    Aside from the fact that it tastes like absolute *kitten*, no, nothing excessively wrong. Lol.

    Tastes better than chia seeds and sugar-free pudding.

    no it doesnt.
  • shellbatronic
    shellbatronic Posts: 193
    Subway has some of the worst tasting food on the planet. By far the worst bread of any place ive ever been.

    Yeah, I cannot stand the smell enough to even go in there, so gross. I read that smell is something with the bread proofing, I dunno.

    Anyway, I don't think it's any surprise people underestimate how many calories they're eating, especially when we eat things that have so many different ingredients in them. Added sugars, starches, all that stuff adds up. Plus in general people seem to be crap for knowing what a regular portion size is.
  • AlongCame_Molly
    AlongCame_Molly Posts: 2,835 Member
    I go to Subway and order a Veggie Delight Sandwich or Veggie Delight Salad.

    Just figure up your calories and you will be fine, there is nothing wrong about Subway.

    Aside from the fact that it tastes like absolute *kitten*, no, nothing excessively wrong. Lol.

    Tastes better than chia seeds and sugar-free pudding.

    False. Chia seeds actually are flavorless and don't taste like anything at all, and sugar free pudding is ****ing delicious. I really can't tell the difference between SF and regular.

    It's cute how you try to to stalk my diary, though.
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    Actually the cheese triangles are on the napkins too. Their bottles of mayo gross me out so I never checked for that. And the chips have calorie info on the bags. And well, soda you're on your own.

    Yeah, but then people would have to do <gasp>math.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    I go to Subway and order a Veggie Delight Sandwich or Veggie Delight Salad.

    Just figure up your calories and you will be fine, there is nothing wrong about Subway.

    Aside from the fact that it tastes like absolute *kitten*, no, nothing excessively wrong. Lol.

    Tastes better than chia seeds and sugar-free pudding.

    False. Chia seeds actually are flavorless and don't taste like anything at all, and sugar free pudding is ****ing delicious. I really can't tell the difference between SF and regular.

    It's cute how you try to to stalk my diary, though.

    I didn't "try to stalk" your diary. I looked at some of the things you ate so I could make fun of how they taste, the way you made fun of how some of the food I eat tastes.

    If you can criticize my food, I can criticize yours ;)
  • Subway has some of the worst tasting food on the planet. By far the worst bread of any place ive ever been.

    Yeah, I cannot stand the smell enough to even go in there, so gross. I read that smell is something with the bread proofing, I dunno.

    Anyway, I don't think it's any surprise people underestimate how many calories they're eating, especially when we eat things that have so many different ingredients in them. Added sugars, starches, all that stuff adds up. Plus in general people seem to be crap for knowing what a regular portion size is.

    It's the yeast in the bread. Bread is panned from frozen dough, it's then proofed overnight (or all day) in a bread rack, then goes into a big automatic proofer (this is upfront, usually under the ovens) until it is puffy and big but not touching other breads yet, then bakes up top in the oven for approx 20 minutes.
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    Urgh, really? This thread is going to degenerate into an argument over something as subjective as how good something tastes?
  • I go to Subway and order a Veggie Delight Sandwich or Veggie Delight Salad.

    Just figure up your calories and you will be fine, there is nothing wrong about Subway.

    Aside from the fact that it tastes like absolute *kitten*, no, nothing excessively wrong. Lol.

    Tastes better than chia seeds and sugar-free pudding.

    False. Chia seeds actually are flavorless and don't taste like anything at all, and sugar free pudding is ****ing delicious. I really can't tell the difference between SF and regular.

    It's cute how you try to to stalk my diary, though.

    Sugar free pudding is pretty gross lol I can taste the difference but it's also only like 60 calories a cup so who cares.
  • shellbatronic
    shellbatronic Posts: 193
    Subway has some of the worst tasting food on the planet. By far the worst bread of any place ive ever been.

    Yeah, I cannot stand the smell enough to even go in there, so gross. I read that smell is something with the bread proofing, I dunno.

    Anyway, I don't think it's any surprise people underestimate how many calories they're eating, especially when we eat things that have so many different ingredients in them. Added sugars, starches, all that stuff adds up. Plus in general people seem to be crap for knowing what a regular portion size is.

    It's the yeast in the bread. Bread is panned from frozen dough, it's then proofed overnight (or all day) in a bread rack, then goes into a big automatic proofer (this is upfront, usually under the ovens) until it is puffy and big but not touching other breads yet, then bakes up top in the oven for approx 20 minutes.

    Good to know. I'm glad for that god awful smell, though, because before it started getting to me I would roll into there and get 2 footlongs happily. Brr, thankfully that was a long time ago.