If you’ve been out to eat at a large chain restaurant recently, you may have noticed the beverage portion of the menu looked a little (or a lot) longer than it used to be, with milk shakes, coffee drinks and sodas galore.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Your eyes aren’t fooling you. Beverages now make up one-third of restaurant menus, according to a study recently published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. And — surprise! — many of the drinks that have been added to menus in recent years are chock-full of sugar.
The study looked at the evolution of the menus of 63 U.S. chain restaurants (including fast food, fast casual and full-service restaurants) from 2012 to 2017. Researchers examined the calorie, sugar and saturated fat content of the beverage offerings.
The number of drink options jumped by 155% between those years, with 82% of the increase driven by sweetened beverages.
The sweetened beverages that were added to menus after 2012 also trended toward higher sugar content but less saturated fat, the researchers said.
“The study shows us that the sweetened options and the diverse choices available on the menu has really increased, which I think is surprising in light of the obesity epidemic and all the research that’s coming out how much sugar impacts our body,” says registered dietitian Ariana Cucuzza, RD, who did not take part in the study.
The uptick in sweetened beverages is problematic because of how often Americans eat out, she says. A recent survey from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that as many as one in three Americans eats fast food every day.
Too much sugar has been linked to weight gain, blood sugar problems and an increased risk of heart disease.
So how can you avoid falling into a sugar trap?
This colorful side dish will tantalize your taste buds
They’re both essential minerals but do different jobs in your body
This herb offers different potential benefits from the basil you find in pesto
Fish, cruciferous veggies, turmeric, yogurt, ginger and green tea all reduce inflammation
From meat to beans, we’ve got some ideas to help you create the perfect-for-you chili recipe
This subtly minty beverage can help balance hormones and loosen stiff joints
Coffee won’t cure a hangover and you definitely shouldn’t mix your cocktail with an energy drink
Focus on the philosophy — replenishing and respecting your skin — not necessarily the steps
This social media sleep hack with tart cherry juice and magnesium could be worth a try
