Irish Expert Targets Subway in the Fight Against Obesity

by Martha Edwards (Subscribe to Martha Edwards's posts)
Jan 29th 2009 12:00PM

Categories: Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

With a slogan like "Eat Fresh," one can't be blamed for assuming that Subway is one of the healthiest fast food choices out there. And it's an association that Subway definitely benefits from -- but not if one obesity expert in Ireland has his way. Donal O'Shea is putting pressure on the government to limit the amount of Subway Restaurant chains that are permitted to open in Ireland because he feels their food is too high in fat and calories and therefore contributing to the obesity epidemic.

"There is a clear link between the number of outlets that [chains] like Subway have and obesity levels around the world," says O'Shea, pointing out that two sandwiches on the Subway menu have more than 1,100 each -- the Chicken & Bacon Ranch and the Meatball Marinara. But really, would you expect anything with the words 'bacon' and 'ranch' in the title to be low in calories?

OK, I totally see his point, and I am usually pretty anti-fast food, but Subway does have *some* healthy sandwiches -- the 6-Inch Veggie Delight, for instance, has 230 calories and 3 g of fat (but 500 g of sodium -- ouch.) Subway is giving their customers some healthy options -- is it really their fault if someone chooses a meatball sub over a veggie sub? I think not.

I'll be honest -- I rarely eat at Subway or any other fast food joint, but on the odd occasion, when I need something on the go, I like to know that I don't have to rely on a soggy salad from Burger King, and if you ask me, limiting Subway's influence will only drive fast-food seekers to the nearest burger joint.

Your thoughts?

(Via CalorieLab)

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Comments (2)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Stephanie 1-29-2009 @ 12:53PM

That guy is so blinded by the BAD that he's completely over-looking the fact that if people are health-conscious, and have the option of a delicious sub for 230 calories, they're gonna take the better sub.

My husband and I treat ourselves to Subway every Friday, and its so great that my treat meal is only about 350 calories for my sandwich, apples, and water together, and that I dont have to eat a stupid McDonald's salad that tastes like garbage.

Tara 1-29-2009 @ 1:46PM

I agree, based on my own research, that the existence of fast food has contributed to rising levels of overweight and obesity. Given that our society is what it is, that we are largely too busy (or lazy) to cook every day, fast food is not going away any time soon. Therefore, every relatively good choice available, whether Subway or Dunkin Donuts' new flatbread, is a potential victory for someone continually struggling with those choices. Attempting to limit the number of new restaurants is a textbook example of "throwing the baby out with the bathwater." There are more effective ways to encourage restaurants to offer healthier foods.