When Less is…Less

Everyone loves a bargain — and in this economy even more so.

But, getting a great deal on today’s food is not always in your best long-term interest. You already know this, so I’m not going to belabor the point. Instead, because this is Geek Fit Friday, and I’m all about data, I’m going to talk about the empty calories that supersizing at some fast food joints gets you.

• 7-Eleven: Gulp to Double Gulp Coca-Cola Classic: 37 cents extra buys 450 more calories.
• Cinnabon: Minibon to Classic Cinnabon: 48 more cents buys 370 more cals.
• Movie theater: Small to medium unbuttered popcorn: 71 additional cents buys you 500 more calories.
• Convenience store: Regular to “The Big One” Snickers: 33 more cents packs on 230 more cals.
• McDonald’s: Quarter Pounder with Cheese to Medium Quarter Pounder with Cheese Extra Value Meal: An additional $1.41 gets you 660 more calories.
• Subway: 6-inch to 12-inch Tuna Sub: $1.53 more buys 420 more cals.
• Wendy’s: Classic Double with Cheese to Classic Double with Cheese Old Fashioned Combo Meal: $1.57 extra buys you 600 more calories.
• Baskin Robbins: Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, Kids’ Scoop, to Double Scoop: For another $1.62, you’ve added 390 cals.

(Reprinted from Eat This, Not That)

So, just say no.

P.S. If you haven’t see the movie Super Size Me, I highly recommend it. And, it’s currently free on Hulu.