Retell the text

TEXT 7

FAST FOOD FACTS

What is fast food and why is it so popular?

Fast food is any food that is quick, convenient, and usually inexpensive. You can buy fast food just about anywhere that sells food and snacks. Vending machines, drive-thru restaurants, and 24 hour convenience stores are probably the most common places to find fast food. It's so popular because for under $5.00 you can usually get a filling meal. However, fast food is inexpensive because it is usually made with cheaper ingredients such as high fat meat, refined grains, and added sugar and fats, instead of nutritious foods such as lean meats, fresh fruits, and vegetables.

Is fast food bad?

There is no such thing as a "bad" food. All foods can fit into a healthy meal plan. It's true that fast food is usually high in fat, calories, cholesterol, and sodium, but eating fast food every once in a while is not going to cause you problems. If you eat too much fast food over a long period of time, though, it can lead to health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity.

Is some fast food healthier than others?

Many fast food chains are revamping their menus to respond to customers comments. For example, some chains no longer serve foods with trans fat, and many have menu items that contain fruits and vegetables. If you are having fast food more than once a week, try to make healthier choices. Here are some tips:

· Choose foods that are broiled over fried such as a grilled chicken sandwich instead of fried chicken or chicken nuggets.

· Choose soups that are not cream based (For example: If the name of the soup includes the word cream, such as "Creamy Tomato Soup", avoid ordering it).

· Have low-fat salad dressings instead of the full-fat kind.

· Have a salad or soup instead of fries.

· Use mustard or ketchup instead of mayonnaise.

· Order smaller entrée portions. For example: instead of a large sub, try a small sub with a side salad or piece of fruit.

· If you are getting a side, order a small, or kid sized portion. A large fry has approximately 500 calories and 25 grams of fat, while a small fry has about 60% less fat and calories (230 calories and 11 grams of fat).

· When ordering a sub or sandwich, select leaner meats like turkey or grilled chicken instead of fried items such as burgers or steak, and cheese sandwiches.

· Choose water, low-fat milk, or diet sodas instead of regular sodas, fruit drinks, milkshakes, or whole milk.

· When ordering pizza, add veggies instead of meat, and get thin crust instead of deep dish.

· If fruits and veggies are available, try to add them into your meal. For example, have lettuce and tomato on sandwiches or burgers.

Where can I find nutrition facts about fast food?

Most fast food and restaurant chains post their nutrition information online. Use a search engine to find the companies web page. There is usually a link to the nutrition section on the home page where you will find nutrition facts, including fat, cholesterol, sodium, protein, calories, and more. Take a look at this information to help you make healthier choices when eating out.

http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/fast_food.html

Module 3

TEXT 8

An Englishman's View of Russian Food

Before you read:

What is your attitude to Russian food? Are there any traditions of having meals in Russia?

What do you think an Englishman's view of Russian food can be? Can you name most popular Russian dishes?

When living in Russia I never cared for cabbage soup even though it includes a large portion of meat. I always, where possible, chose something different. But I found that my Russian friends always ate cabbage soup day after day, like a Scotsman his porridge.

Black bread is hardly eaten in Britain. But to the Russians their heavy rich black rye bread remains an essential part of their diet.

Personally, I do not like buckwheat "kasha", whether eaten with salt or sweet. This is the Russian equivalent of porridge, which Russian visitors to Britain describe as a "kind of kasha". But unlike porridge, it is eaten with meat like potatoes, as well as cereal.

But now for some of my likes. First, the wonderful variety of milk products which you get in Russian. There in Britain we have our milk, cream cheese, sometimes yoghurt and a variety of hard cheese.

In Russia there is a large variety of further products, a sort of dry granulated cream cheese, called "tvorog", thick sour cream called "smetana" and several types of sour milk products of the yoghurt type (кефир, ряженка). Perhaps my favourite food is smetana - thick sour cream. It can be used almost with anything.

How about meals and mealtimes? Perhaps one of the things that most upsets British visitors to be to Russia (and of course, Russian visitors to Britain) is different times of meals.

Then the Russians often go a very long time without a meal. Very often they wait till 2.30 or 3.30 or even 4 p.m., for "dinner". Then, very late at night by our standards sometimes between 10 o'clock or 11 they have their supper.

Soups: A real Russian soup is something so different from what we normally understand by the word that it is hard to understand in Britain that a real "meal" in Russia can consist of "soup". But when you take into account that the soup can include a whole chicken leg, or a large slice of pork or other meat, as well as potatoes and other vegetables, even cabbage soup becomes something very different from anything which is normally made in Britain from cabbage.

About sweets: The English "pudding" is practically unknown in Russia. The most common third course in a Russian midday meal is "kissel" and "compote". "Compote" is a fruit salad usually made from dried or bottled fruits. In summer, of course, it is made from fresh fruits.

On drinking tea. Every country has its own tea-drinking habits. In Russia tea is drunk very weak with lemon.

1. Answer the questions:

1. What does the Englishman say about cabbage soup?
2. What is an essential part of Russian diet?
3. What Russian dish does the Englishman not like?
4. What dishes does he like?
5. What upsets British visitors to be to Russia?
6. Is Russian soup different from British soup?

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