title: Nutritional value of meals at full-service restaurant chains.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the nutritional value of meals at full-service national restaurant chains with outlets in the Philadelphia region in 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chains were eligible if nutritional information for all menu items was on company Web pages or printed menus at Philadelphia outlets. Nutrient profiles were analyzed for 2,615 items from 21 eligible chains (out of 29) and compared with United States Department of Agriculture guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adult meals (entree, side dish, and one-half appetizer) approximated 1,495 kcal, 28 g saturated fat, 3,512 mg sodium, and 11 g fiber; and rose to 2,020 kcal after including a beverage and one-half dessert. Better calorie and fat profiles were observed for entrees tagged "healthy choice" or aimed at seniors or children; however, sodium far exceeded recommended limits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Foods served at full-service restaurant chains are high in calories, saturated fat, and sodium. Standard definitions are needed for "healthy choice" tags and for entrees targeted to vulnerable age groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA. Electronic address: aha27@drexel.edu.
authors.forename: Amy H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Auchincloss
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Beth L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Leonberg
authors.affiliation: Perelman School of Medicine and School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Glanz
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bellitz
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ricchezza
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jervis
mesh_terms: D005515:Food Labeling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D062407:Meals; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009753:Nutritive Value; D015143:Philadelphia; D012147:Restaurants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: dietary sodium; energy intake; nutrients; nutrition labeling; nutrition policy; restaurants