Away-from-home meals

Fast foods appeal to the younger set because (1) they are an importantfeature of their life-style, and (2) they fit their limited spending money. In 1989, Americans spent 43% of their food dol lar on meals away from home, which cost a total of 156.4 billion. That same year, the typical American ate 1 out of every 12 meals at a fast-food restaurant... 

Poor Food Choices. Although a wide variety of foods rich in minerals is available in most supermarkets, people may eat only a few of them for reeisons such eis (1) lack of money to buy certain items, (2) dependence upon eating most meals away from home, (3) dislike of many types of nutritious foods, and (4) lack of knowledge of and/or the facilities for the preparation of various items. Even the consumption of a wide variety of foods may not guarantee the achievement of adequate mineral nutrition if most of the foods selected are high in fats and carbrohydrates, but low in minerals. 

The frequency of human vitamin E deficiency is very rare. In individuals at risk, it is clear that vitamin E supplements should be recommended to prevent deficiency symptoms. What about vitamin E supplement use in normal individuals Dietary changes such as decreasing fat intakes, substituting fat-free foods for fat-containing ones, and increased reliance on meals away from the home have resulted in decreased consumption of a-tocopherol-containing foods. Therefore, intakes of the vitamin E RDA of 15 mg a-tocopherol, may be difficult. Special attention to consuming nuts, seeds, and whole grains will improve a-tocopherol intakes alternatively, multivitamin pills can be consumed. 

Preserving one s room, storing one s stuff, coming by for meals, and calling if away (why that first year at college can be so expensive) all are means of staying connected when separated from family. Fear of loss of place in home and family can create enormous insecurity. "Suppose I go so far away, I can t return Then if I get in trouble, I ll have no safety net to fall back on, no home to come home to "... 

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