Dieters can’t believe everything they read: The food at many popular chain restaurants and in the freezer section of the supermarket may contain a lot more calories than advertised.
A study of 10 chain restaurants, including Wendy’s and Ruby Tuesday, found that the number of calories in 29 meals or other menu items was an average of 18 percent higher than listed.
And frozen supermarket meals from Lean Cuisine, Weight Watchers, Healthy Choice and South Beach Living had 8 percent more calories than the labels said, according to the study, published in this month’s Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
The researchers and other experts aren’t accusing restaurants and food companies of trying to deceive customers. They said most of the discrepancies can be explained by variations in ingredients, portion sizes and testing methods. For example, the teenager behind the counter might have put too much mayonnaise on one sandwich. The Associated Press
Tale of the tape
Wendy’s Ultimate Chicken Grill
Claimed calories: 320
Missed it by that much: 9 percent more
P.F. Chang’s large Sichuan-style asparagus
Claimed calories: 200
Missed it by that much: More than double
McDonald’s McChicken sandwich
Claimed calories: 360
Missed it by that much: 3 percent more
