Fast+Food+Fun


 * Fast Food Fun **

Fast food. Most people love eating out, especially here in Doha! There's even a place called Cholesterol Corner since there are so many eateries there. Let's take a closer look at what we actually eat at these fast food restaurants. This project is designed to allow you to practice the skills learned in Excel and in Word and learn something about nutrition at the same time.

You will select three fast food restaurants that serve the same type of food and examine a similar meal at each place. You will collect the nutritional information of each item in the meal and put that information in a table in Excel. You will create charts to show the data and a Word document that is a report on the information.

**Step One:**
A. Decide which fast food restaurants (3 of them) you frequently visit. Choosing 'western' food chains will be easier but you may choose many of the middle eastern food chains //**IF**// you can locate correct nutritional information for each item in the meals (this can be done in Arabic if necessary). Note that it may be difficult to find food items that are only in the middle east region so choose your items carefully.

B. Plan a meal with main (a sandwich, salad or other main dish), a side dish (french fries, etc), a drink, and a dessert. This meal should be similar for each restaurant.

C. For each item on your menu, record the calories, calories from fat, total fat, cholesterol, sodium, and total carbohydrates (total carbs). Look on these sites (or others you may find) to get the nutritional data on each item:
 * Nutrition Data by SELF Magazine
 * Calorie King

D. Research your nutritional needs (calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs). Use BMI & Daily Needs Calculator to calculate what your nutritional NEEDS are per day. It will tell you how many calories your body needs as well as how many carbohydrates your body needs to maintain its weight. Search online to find the amount of fat, cholesterol and sodium your body needs each day. Record all of this information.
 * Note: to calculate calories from fat: multiply the fat grams by 9. Click here for an explanation

**Step Two:**
A. Enter your data in an Excel spreadsheet. Organize the data so there are three tables, one for each restaurant, on three different worksheets. Each table should use the same column headings (the nutritional information) and the same row headings (food items). Here is a **SAMPLE** of what one table **MIGHT** look like:

B. Find totals for each nutritional category for an entire meal in the table.

C. Add a row at the bottom of the table and label it "My Daily Needs". Fill in the appropriate cells with the information from your research in part D above. This row should be the same in all three worksheets.

D. Create the following charts for //**each**// worksheet:
 * Chart the calories and calories from fat from the meal in a clustered column chart.
 * Chart the totals and needs in a clustered column chart.
 * Chart information of your choice (Hint: Think of something you want to compare or see. Try different charts to see what the data shows.)

E. Add appropriate chart and axis titles, place them appropriately on the charts, and format the charts so they look brilliant.

A. Using the data from your tables and charts, answer the following questions: Which items/restaurants fit these categories?
 * Step Three:**
 * 1) Item with most calories and number of calories
 * 2) Item with least calories and number of calories
 * 3) Item besides the beverage with the highest percentage of fat
 * 4) Percentage of fat for item in #3
 * 5) Item besides the beverage with the lowest percentage of fat
 * 6) Percentage of fat for item in #5

B. Take a look through this guide to nutrition by the US Department of Agriculture. Look at items that interest you with reference to the data you've collected.

Using Microsoft Word, type a four paragraph report about your findings.
 * Step Four:**
 * Paragraph #1:** Introduction including which restaurants you chose and the items on your menu.
 * Paragraph #2:** Summarize your findings about your meal including number of calories, percentage of fat, etc. Copy and paste at least one of your charts into your document as supporting evidence.
 * Paragraph #3**: Compare and contrast your results with another student. Use the information you recorded in step 2.
 * Paragraph #4:** Use the information from the Department of Agriculture to evaluate your meals and restaurants. How does your percentage of fat compare to the percentage recommended? What about other guidelines like eating fruits and vegetables? What changes might you make in your meal to make it healthier?

Save this document as last_firstname_Fast_Food_Fun.docx. Send me both your Excel and Word files.