Fast-food restaurants have been using “portion distortion” to compete for the American consumer’s money.

“Portion distortion” is the “Super Sizing,” “Biggie Sizing” and “King Sizing” – where for just a few cents more, you get not only more food for your money, but also more calories, said Judy Trumpy, registered and licensed dietitian at Thielen Student Health Center.

“It may be a good deal, but it’s not good for your health,” Trumpy said. “It’s really not helping ourselves by asking for a larger portion – more is not necessarily better.”

Fast food chains market their value meals by putting their calorie-laden meals in prominent positions on the menus, he said.

“You really have to search for the single burger and small fry,” she said.

Fast-food is not known for its health values, but many students make it a meal on a regular basis, Trumpy said.

“Students feel they don’t have the time to prepare a meal, pack a lunch or even eat breakfast, so they rely on fast food,” Trumpy said. “They see it as their only option.”

Melanie Braden, junior in marketing, said she often heads to the Memorial Union for lunch; her favorite stop is McDonald’s. In an average week, this happens at least three times a week, she said.

Braden’s favorite meals consist of a cheeseburger and fries or a Mac Jr. and fries, she said. Braden said she realizes that McDonald’s is not the healthiest option.

“It works for me,” she said. “I’m not gaining any weight, and besides, I really like it.”

Even if fast food is students’ only option at mealtimes, a quick meal doesn’t need to be extremely unhealthy, Trumpy said.

She offered several suggestions of healthier fast-food options.

Wendy’s offers a variety of salads, Trumpy said. To make the greens even healthier, she suggested using only half of the dressing packet.

“Arby’s Market Fresh sandwiches are another good option,” she said. “For some lighter eaters, half of the sandwich will be plenty and the other half can be saved for later.”

A way to make that greasy burger more nutritious is to ask for double lettuce and tomato and leave off the mayonnaise, Trumpy said.

More quick-and-easy meal choices are found at the grocery store, where salad bars offer a wide variety of foods, she said.

“Since the salad bar is all-you-can-eat, portion control can still be a problem, but a healthy balance is available,” Trumpy said.

If a student is stuck on campus and the Memorial Union food court is the only option, Trumpy suggests a sandwich from Subway, milk and a piece of fruit.

“Sometimes the greasiest fast food is unavoidable,” Trumpy said. “In those cases, a long-term balance is best.”

Fast-food chains are offering healthier options, such as a new flatbread sandwich offered by McDonald’s and Burger King’s new veggie burger, Trumpy said.

“They are listening to consumers and paying attention,” Trumpy said.

Kay Palan, associate professor of marketing, thinks that part of the healthier trend is a result of fast-food chains recognizing consumers want more than just burgers and fries.

“Good companies figure out how to keep growing,” Palan said. “They have to respond to trends and customers.”

There has been a growing trend of healthier fast food, she said.

“The fast-food chains have already captured everyone that wants hamburgers, and are now expanding and diversifying,” she said.