Takeout And Fast Food - How Much Is Too Much?

It is not a secret that junk food and eating out on a regular basis can damage your health. It can also burn a hole in your pocket, especially if you are prone to eating out every day. A new study shows that even a regular restaurant can be equally as bad as the fast food industry. But how much is too much you ask?

Fast food and regular restaurants serve food with way more cholesterol and trans fat than you would prepare at home. Fast food offers consumers 3.5 more grams of trans fat per day and a regular restaurant offers 2.5 more. It may not sound as bad, but it is something that the FDA has banned since. People who eat out on a daily basis tend to intake an average of 250 calories and 60mg of cholesterol more than people who prepare and eat a home-cooked meal.

Eating out and fast food consumption frequently can have adverse effects on your health. You may be taking away more than you bargained for. A study at the George Washington University in the US found that those who ate out more had higher levels of phthalate in their body. This disrupting chemical causes infertility, pregnancy troubles, and overall health problems. People who eat out more also tend to binge on unhealthy food. They go for food that is visually more appealing and filing. 

Food is definitely a source of pleasure and a way to de-stress, but it is important to eat only when you are hungry and in moderations. It is important to stick to a well-balanced diet with an occasional cheat day. This will make you go easy on your waistline, something it will thank you for much later.