Eating Habits

Michael is a 22-year-old college student who lives off-campus. Although he has a kitchen in his apartment, he has neither the time nor the interest in making his own food or stocking his own kitchen. All three of his daily meals come from fast-food restaurants. A typical day’s intake is shown below:

Breakfast: Two egg and bacon sandwiches on English muffins; large coffee with creamer and sugar

Lunch: Two cheeseburgers with catsup; large French fries; soft drink; cookies

Dinner: A foot-long submarine with cold cuts, cheese, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles; bag of potato chips; soft drink

Snacks: Chocolate bar; chips and salsa; popcorn

1. What vitamins is Michael probably lacking in his diet? What vitamins is he probably getting enough of?
2. Are there better choices he could make at fast-food restaurants that would improve his vitamin intake?
3. What suggestions would you make for keeping “quick” and “easy” food in his apartment that would improve his vitamin intake without being too much “bother”?
4. How would you respond to this question from Michael: “Can I just take a multivitamin so I don’t have to make changes in my eating habits?