Numbers Game: Answer

When comparing an Au Bon Pain double chocolate chunk muffin with a large order of McDonald's french fries, the muffin provides 70 MORE calories (570 calories vs. the large fries' 500 calories).

That's not all, folks.

This muffin also provides double the saturated fat of those large fries -- and 100 MORE milligrams of sodium!

Oh, and then there are those 11 teaspoons of added sugar.

These gigantic muffins truly irritate me because they suck away all the enjoyment from savoring a chocolatey baked good.

Why can't these simply be half the size (and calories)? A 285 calorie muffin sounds more reasonable -- and easier to justify as an occasional treat.

And anyone who says "just don't eat the whole thing!" needs to go up to their bedroom and read Brian Wansink's amazing book, Mindless Eating.

Numbers Game: Compare and Contrast

When comparing An Au Bon Pain double chocolate chunk muffin with a large order of McDonald's french fries, the muffin provides _____ ______ calories.

a) 70 MORE
b) 50 FEWER
c) THE SAME AMOUNT OF
d) 120 MORE

Leave your guess in the "comments" section and come back on Friday for the answer.

Numbers Game: Answer

Au Bon Pain's "sausage, egg, and cheddar on an asiago bagel" breakfast menu item contains 810 calories and 115 percent of a day's worth of saturated fat (for a 2,000 calorie diet).

I find those numbers quite shocking.

That caloric value represents half of what some people should be eating in an entire day!

It is precisely when I see these kinds of figures that I don't understand how anyone can perceive mandatory calorie posting on menu boards as a "bad" or unnecessary idea.

By the way, if you're an Au Bon Pain breakfast person who loves a bagel in the morning, you still have options.

One of your best? Eggs on a honey 9 grain bagel.

Not only do you cut calories significantly (down to 360), you also get 4 grams of fiber (the 9 grain bagel offers the most fiber, although I don't believe it is 100% whole grain) and only FIVE percent of your daily saturated fat limit.

Additionally, the 21 grams of protein will do their part in helping you feel full well into the late morning.

Numbers Game: Big Breakfast

Au Bon Pain's "sausage, egg, and cheddar on an asiago bagel" breakfast menu item contains _______ calories and _________ percent of a day's worth of saturated fat (for a 2,000 calorie diet).

a) 810/115%
b) 612/81%
c) 739/150%
d) 531/92%

Leave your guess in the "comments" section and come back on Tuesday for the answer!