By Sarah Burns on January 11, 2010 in
Experts have long told us that reading food labels is that best way to know what you're eating. But a disturbing new Tufts University study has found the calorie info listed on many food labels and restaurant menus is often misleading. In their study, Tuft researchers analyzed the calorie content of 18 side dishes and entrees from several national sit-down chain restaurants, 11 side dishes and entrees from national fast food restaurants and 10 popular frozen meals from supermarkets. Afterward, they compared their results to the calorie info listed on menus and labels.
The Tufts study found that most of the info provided to the public was grossly inaccurate. For instance, the calorie claims made by the restaurants were found to be 18 percent less than the researcher's calorie content analysis. Additionally, two side dishes exceeded the restaurant's reported calorie information by nearly 200 percent while the calorie information reported by the packaged food companies averaged 8 percent less than the researchers' analysis.
The bottom line: Blindly relying on this kind of info could backfire. Discrepancies of this magnitude could result in significant weight gain, says senior study author Susan B. Roberts, PhD, a professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.
So what can consumers do? Use common sense, say experts. If an item's calorie count looks too good to be true, it probably is. Another smart strategy: Consider limiting your intake of packaged and fast foods. Already boxed and packaged picks leave you with little control. Instead, make more of your own meals and stick with more natural items. No one is going to try to deceive you about the calories in a raw carrot.
For more weight loss advice, read our reports on the best weight loss programs, exercise videos and more.