Hold that extra serving of fancy pasta—a recent study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition says that dining out at a sit-down restaurant can mean more sodium and nearly as much saturated fat as eating at a fast food joint. This time, it’s not just about what kind of food. It’s also about how much of it you consume.

“People regard fast food as junk food and tend to believe that full-service restaurants are better in terms of quality and healthiness,” says Ruopeng An, an assistant professor of kinesiology and community health, and the author of the study.

Data was gathered via two-part interviews, where survey participants were asked to first recall their previous meals in the last 24 hours, then follow up with reports on the other meals they had previously via measuring spoons, cups, and other tools to measure their intake.

From here, Ruopeng measured nutrient intake (fat, saturated fat, sodium, sugar, etc.). He found out that a full-service restaurant added more to one’s daily sodium intake than a home-cooked meal and yes, a fast food meal.

The thing is, Ruopeng explains, people consume significantly fewer calories when they grab a quick and easy meal than when they relax in a gathering.

“If people choose to dine at the restaurant, they have more time, it’s likely a social event, they stay longer and consume more, enjoying the environment,” he believes.

Of course, like any other study out there, it has its limitations: self-reporting isn’t that accurate, and we’ll never know which restaurants are the calorie-bombing ones.

For now, the best way to keep your weight in check is to either be fully informed or cook and eat a home.

[NPR]

Photo courtesy of Dining with Company