Study: Subway Sandwiches Are Worse Than We Think

Espressocycle
Espressocycle Posts: 2,245 Member
in Food and Nutrition
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/05/study-subway-sandwiches-are-worse-than-we-think/276244/

METHODOLOGY: Researchers led by Dr. Jason Block at Harvard surveyed people at fast food restaurants across New England. They talked with 1877 adults, 1178 adolescents, and 330 children at places like McDonald's, Dunkin Donuts, KFC, and Subway, among others. They asked customers to save their receipts, then estimate how many calories were in their meals. Most of the customers ended up being non-white, 65 percent of the adults and 57 percent of the school-age children were obese, and 40 percent reported eating at that same restaurant chain at least once per week.

RESULTS: The average meal was 836 calories for adults, 756 for adolescents, and 733 for kids. Two-thirds of people underestimated that. One quarter underestimated it by at least 500 calories.

The underestimation in adults averaged 175 calories and got larger as the number of calories in the meal increased. Subway was the most insidious, with adolescent estimates averaging around 500 calories on the low side. Adults and adolescents eating at Subway estimated 20 and 25 percent lower than those at McDonald's, respectively.

A footnote: 41 people were excluded from the study as outliers because their meals exceeded 4000 calories.
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Replies

  • howardheilweil
    howardheilweil Posts: 604 Member
    4000 calories? How do you do that?
  • Michaelsdin
    Michaelsdin Posts: 146
    thats been proven a long time ago anything that is "convenient" is unhealthy for you but thanks for the informational study
  • onwarddownward
    onwarddownward Posts: 1,683 Member
    A footnote: 41 people were excluded from the study as outliers because their meals exceeded 4000 calories.

    They should have done a bigger survey. Those outliers might have become the median.
  • Michaelsdin
    Michaelsdin Posts: 146
    i use to do it on a diet of salami, cream cheese, pepsi, pickles!!! lol
    4000 calories? How do you do that?
  • JenAndSome
    JenAndSome Posts: 1,893 Member
    i use to do it on a diet of salami, cream cheese, pepsi, pickles!!! lol
    4000 calories? How do you do that?

    Aside from the pepsi, your previous diet sounds delicious. I love pickle rolls!
  • haidos
    haidos Posts: 69
    It's hardly surprising. At the end of the day it's fast food and should be classed along with the like of Mcdonalds and KFC.
  • Espressocycle
    Espressocycle Posts: 2,245 Member
    A 4,000 calorie meal seems impossible.
  • JenAndSome
    JenAndSome Posts: 1,893 Member
    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:
  • tubzzy77
    tubzzy77 Posts: 104 Member
    A 4,000 calorie meal seems impossible.

    Not with that sweet tea and ranch dressing!
  • phyllisgehrke
    phyllisgehrke Posts: 236 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.
  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    4000 calories? How do you do that?

    2 foot long meatball subs with cheese, a bag of Doritos & a large Coke?

    This isn't really all that shocking to me. People assume these things are healthy. I know some of it is from marketing, but it's like the people who think they're "dieting" because they eat a salad with their meal every night. You know, in addition to a big steak & potato, then drowned in ranch. Or people who are SHOCKED that a salad form a restaurant that has meat, eggs, bacon, cheese, avocado and dressing has 800 calories. Personally, if it's not on the "Under X amount of calories" menu, I look it up if it's something I want.
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    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!
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    How does people sucking at estimating calories make Subway worse?

    I go to Subway and have a sub 400 calorie sub quite often, which fits nicely into my macros, calorie needs, and provides a heap of veg.
  • MudRunLvr
    MudRunLvr Posts: 226 Member
    That's why you should track your calories.

    -eats Subway 5 times a week. Lost 86lbs
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    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 - all those places have the calorie counts on the menu. Not hard to work it out before you buy. :noway:
  • FFfitgirl
    FFfitgirl Posts: 369 Member
    I think people think subway is "healthy" so they way underestimate the calories. It's just a sand which right? wrong
    You expect a lot of calories from dried food
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    4000 calories? How do you do that?

    2 foot long meatball subs with cheese, a bag of Doritos & a large Coke?

    This isn't really all that shocking to me. People assume these things are healthy. I know some of it is from marketing, but it's like the people who think they're "dieting" because they eat a salad with their meal every night. You know, in addition to a big steak & potato, then drowned in ranch. Or people who are SHOCKED that a salad form a restaurant that has meat, eggs, bacon, cheese, avocado and dressing has 800 calories. Personally, if it's not on the "Under X amount of calories" menu, I look it up if it's something I want.

    My phone wasn't working at Applebee's once. It was my birthday and I had a coupon for a free dessert shooter. Looked at the choices and thought the chocolate mousse would be the least calories. Turned out it was the highest. Figures!
  • PlayerHatinDogooder
    PlayerHatinDogooder Posts: 1,018 Member
    The only thing that surprises me about this thread is the amount of people surprised at other people's inability to estimate calories.
  • melindasuefritz
    melindasuefritz Posts: 3,509 Member
    tell that to Jared
    u simply pick the healthy options
  • newdaydawning79
    newdaydawning79 Posts: 1,503 Member
    Well, yeah. It's easy to hit 500 cals at Subway. If I get a footlong oven roasted chicken (no cheese) it's over 700. A lot of days it fits into my goals for the day so I get it. I end up not eating it all and either picking off some of the bread or saving part of it for a treat later on down the line but...this study seems odd to me overall. :)
  • strongmindstrongbody
    strongmindstrongbody Posts: 315 Member
    A 4,000 calorie meal seems impossible.

    Jared would like us to think that. :devil: Start with a footlong sub with added cheese, bacon, and mayo. Make it a meal deal with a drink and chips. Then satisfy your sweet tooth with a 6 cookies (because you just gotta get one of each flavor). That should take care of the 4,000 calories or come damn close to it.
  • MizzEngelChen
    MizzEngelChen Posts: 71 Member
    I wouldn't say so.. The problem wiht Subway isn't the sandwiches. I checked the nutrional info pdf. If you have a 6" it's quite alright. What makes this meal unhealthy is the stuff you order in a menu or making it a footlong. It comes with chips or cookies and soda. Doesn't take a genius to see that this is unhealthy.
  • Espressocycle
    Espressocycle Posts: 2,245 Member
    Bottom line is, without calorie counts, most people assume their food has fewer calories than it does. Which is how a lot of us got here.
  • Diamond05
    Diamond05 Posts: 475 Member
    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 - all those places have the calorie counts on the menu. Not hard to work it out before you buy. :noway:

    Exactly!
  • MudRunLvr
    MudRunLvr Posts: 226 Member
    A 4,000 calorie meal seems impossible.

    Jared would like us to think that. :devil: Start with a footlong sub with added cheese, bacon, and mayo. Make it a meal deal with a drink and chips. Then satisfy your sweet tooth with a 6 cookies (because you just gotta get one of each flavor). That should take care of the 4,000 calories or come damn close to it.

    Oh how they trick people!! Who would have imagined that a footlong sub with cheese, bacon and mayo plus a full calorie soda and 6 cookies would be unhealthy!!

    It's Subway's fault. Clearly.
  • cherryd69
    cherryd69 Posts: 340
    ***NEWSFLASH***

    Fast food is fatty!

    Breaking news today as someone worked out that subway (a fast food sandwich that contains processed meats in large quantities, cheese and sauces... lets not forget the small amount of salad) is actually worse than we think!




    The Sun would have a field day with this, quick someone ring it in!
  • HealthWoke0ish
    HealthWoke0ish Posts: 2,078 Member
    How does people sucking at estimating calories make Subway worse?

    I go to Subway and have a sub 400 calorie sub quite often, which fits nicely into my macros, calorie needs, and provides a heap of veg.

    Agree. I visit Subway about once a week. Before I go, I "build" my sandwich online, get a print-out, and then simply hand the print-out to the worker when I arrive. That way, I can tailor my macros how I want.

    Also...
    A 4,000 calorie meal seems impossible.

    Eh...I used to "snack" on a 20 pc McNugget, Fries and a Shake. That was around 2000 cal. I'll bet people with a "real problem" could do it, no sweat. :drinker:
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member
    The point to Subway is that you can build the sandwich to have fewer calories. My turkey sub with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, black olives, banana peppers, spicy mustard and lite mayo is less than 400 calories for a 6-inch.

    I bet a lot of those people are ordering the $5 foot long for the sake of the value.
  • sunandskies
    sunandskies Posts: 25 Member
    I'm still trying to work out what on earth a 4000 calorie meal looks like... Let's go with McDonalds:

    3 crispy chicken clubs (670 a piece) = 2010
    Large fries = 500
    Large soda = 270
    Large M&M McFlurry = 930
    Apple pie = 250.

    That gets us to 3,960 calories. And a very very upset stomach.
  • bamadwl
    bamadwl Posts: 111 Member
    Don't forget that Subway sells pizza and cookies at a lot of locations. It's not too hard to break the 4,000 cal mark once you add the large soda (+ refills) and chips. Like everyone else said, no matter what the restaurant, you have to choose to eat healthy.

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