On average, restaurant meals __ than home-prepared meals. are larger have poorer nutritional quality have less salt have better nutritional quality
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: are larger
Explanation (300 words):
On average, restaurant meals are larger than home-prepared meals. This fact has been supported by numerous nutritional and public health studies. Most restaurant portions—whether in fast food establishments or sit-down restaurants—tend to exceed the standard recommended serving sizes for calories, fats, sugars, and sodium.
Larger Portion Sizes:
One of the main reasons restaurant meals are larger is due to consumer expectations and competition. Restaurants often increase portion sizes to add perceived value, which makes customers feel like they are getting more for their money. For example, a plate of pasta or a burger with fries at a restaurant is often double or triple the standard portion size you might prepare at home.
Nutritional Concerns:
Along with being larger, restaurant meals typically have poorer nutritional quality, though that wasn’t the primary correct choice in the question. Many of these meals are high in sodium, saturated fats, added sugars, and calories. Cooking at home allows people to control the ingredients and cooking methods, which generally results in healthier meals.
Salt and Nutritional Quality:
Restaurant meals rarely have less salt; in fact, they often have much more. This is because salt enhances flavor and is used liberally to appeal to a broad customer base. The idea that restaurant meals have better nutritional quality is also misleading, as most studies have shown that home-cooked meals are superior in terms of balanced nutrients and lower in unhealthy additives.
Conclusion:
Thus, the most accurate and supported statement is that on average, restaurant meals are larger than meals prepared at home. This has significant implications for public health, particularly concerning obesity and chronic diseases, which are often linked to portion sizes and overconsumption.