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What's Toronto Really Eating?
Malcolm Johnston
MISSION:
It’s January, when thoughts turn to New Year’s resolutions, gym memberships and healthy eating. We decided it was time to find out what’s in the local restaurant food we love to eat.
METHOD:
We ordered 12 standard takeout portions from the area’s favourite restaurants. A chemistry lab accredited by the Standards Council of Canada tested each for the values listed below.
MOE PANCER'S DELI -- PASTRAMI SANDWICH (WITH MUSTARD)
SATAY ON THE ROAD -- PAD THAI
BYMARK RESTAURANT -- BYMARK BURGER
DUFF'S FAMOUS WINGS -- HOT WINGS (WITH TWO CELERY STICKS)
PENROSE FISH & CHIPS -- FISH AND CHIPS
SCARAMOUCHE RESTAURANT -- COCONUT CREAM PIE
C'EST BON RESTAURANT -- SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN
CENTRO RESTAURANT -- YUKON GOLD GNOCCHI
EDO-KO CASUAL JAPANESE DINING -- SHRIMP TEMPURA
CALIFORNIA SANDWICHES -- VEAL SANDWICH (BREADED WITH ONIONS AND TOMATO SAUCE)
TERRONI -- QUATTRO STAGIONI
AMAYA'S BREAD BAR -- BUTTER CHICKEN (WITH RICE)
What's Healthy?
Health Canada uses a 2,000-calorie diet as the benchmark for percentage of daily value on nutritional labelling, and so did we. Subsequent values for total fat and carbohydrates are derived as a percentage of that diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Daily value for sodium applies to most people, regardless of caloric intake. For protein, intakes are generally adequate and are not a health concern for Canadians who have access to a mixed diet.
SOURCE: Health Canada website. Caloric intake will vary depending on weight,
height, age and activity level. To find out what your recommended daily caloric
intake level is, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fnan/ nutrition/reference/table/index-eng.php
COMPARISON GUIDE
*Based on Health Canada’s reference standards for daily dietary intakes.
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Reader Comments:
I enjoy the Post but I'm a bit perplexed by this article and I wonder if the Post is conflicted about it too.
The title is rather obscure and seems to suggest that the article is about popular restaurant dishes in the area, not anything that has to do with nutrition.
What about nutrition? The reader is likely to surmise that most of these dishes are unhealthy, heavy on the salt and fat. Is that the point? If so, why doesn't the article deal with it head-on, ie. make a statement that many popular foods at local restaurants are not all that healthy (as in most restaurants)? There are no conclusions of any kind drawn in the article...no commentary at all, just the nutrition data and pictures of very tasty looking items. It's like the Post can't make up its mind about the angle here. If so, it that because the paper is dedicated to supporting local businesses and doesn't want to offend them. Whatever the case, some fairly clear conclusions about nutrition need to be drawn here and a bit more journalistic courage. To be fair, all of these dishes are ok once in a while.
Mmmmmm... Jos Louis
California Sandwiches claims that their sandwiches are only 500 calories with 25g of fat. Something is not right!
From California Sandwiches in response to a question about why their website lists their veal sandwich at half of what this article does:
"im not sure what is was they [The Post] tested or if they even tested, it does not take much to post fake results or untrue results in an online article."
WOW I was about to buy a Calfornia Sandwich Veal Sandwich!! I thought it was only 500 calories and less than a big mac. This was eye opening! Thank you so much for writing this article!
Yeah, California Sandwiches are lieing! You know when someone posts nicely rounded caloric numbers they are not being accurate. Anyway, its too good to be less than a Big Mac.
It always shocks and amazes me to see what we are actually buying when we eat in a restaurant. The bottom line is that it's all in the decisions we make. These dishes are typically dishes that would be high in fat and calories. Once a week indulgences, not part of a daily diet. It's unfortunate but many people don't understand how to eat properly. Food thats convenient is always bad for you - this includes the majority of restaurant dining. If you made the same dishes at home they would be half the fat/ calories. Keep these types of articles coming, people should think twice when ordering off a menu. As consumers we should also question the hospitality industries idea of portion control each entree should reflect proper dietary standards!