Report: Fast Food Health Claims Fall Flat

A new study from the American Journal of Preventive Medicine shows that although fast-food restaurants have expanded their menus, most of their options are still dangerously high in calories. Researchers discovered that despite a 53 percent increase in the collective number of menu options (from the eight leading American fast-food chains, over 14 years), the average number of calories in dishes has not shifted significantly. Many of the newer offerings include entrée salads and other allegedly healthy alternatives, which, in fact, can actually contain as many or more calories than their seemingly greasy counterparts, such as burgers and sandwiches. Restaurant chains included in the study were McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, KFC, Arby’s, Jack in the Box, and Dairy Queen.