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But how do we do that?
Finding a balanced fast food menu item is quite a challenge. Try to choose a dish that contains not more than calories.
Even worse, sometimes people are tempted to order upsized beverages. Go easy on special sauces, which add a lot of calories. Look for items with more good stuff, like fiber , whole grains, and high-quality protein. But if you don't have the chance to prepare, you can still make smarter choices by following a few common sense guidelines. Resources and references Fast Food Nutrition — A comprehensive guide to healthy choices at fast food restaurants, including a meal calculator. Choosing whole-grain bread or taking the top slice off your sub and eating it open-faced. If you want to add some interest, go with extra pickles or heart-healthy avocado.
Fried and floured foods contain high fats and calories. Moreover, choose a menu item that contains vegetables or fruits.
For example, rather than ordering fries, choose salad or soup instead. Seven foods to avoid before hitting the gym. Small amount of trans fats is naturally found in meat and dairy products, but the dangerous part is the artificial trans fats made to preserve food to look freshly cooked. Artificial trans fats are made from liquid vegetable oil that is usually mixed with hydrogen to make the food look more dense and solid. Fast food restaurants use this artificial trans fat due to its low price, and because it is durable and reusable.
Moreover, trans fat oil can also add flavor and increase food texture. But behind all that, trans fats have a bad impact our health. The American Heart Association recommends limiting salt consumption for adults, which is below milligrams per day, and not exceeding over mg per day.
Imagine if you order salty items in fast foods restaurants, such as fried chicken and fries. Those foods can exceed the daily salt intake in one go. Fast foods restaurants usually offer beverages that are high in sugar and calories, like soda or milkshakes.
Even worse, sometimes people are tempted to order upsized beverages. You can substitute that soda for mineral water.
Meal portions today are almost twice the size that they were 30 years ago. Because of that, we end up eating much more food than we need. Sit down while you eat. Fast food is known as a meal on the go. Many people eat in their cars or while doing another activity.
If you are distracted, you may not pay attention to how much food you are eating, and you may eat much more than you need. Sit down at the restaurant you visit and pay attention to your meal. The FDA Federal Food and Drug Administration has proposed labeling requirements for all fast food restaurants some states have already passed laws like this. Restaurants with twenty or more locations are required to post the calorie content of foods on the menu.
Most fast food and restaurant chains also offer nutrition information online.
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 for each product. Many of these menus are now interactive as well, so you can preview your plate and modify it to be more nutritious.
Posted under Health Guides. Fast food is also high in sodium (aka salt) which is used as a preservative and makes food more flavorful and. But this is easier said than done. What if we actually love fast food but still want to maintain good health and an ideal body weight?.
Take a look at this information to help you make healthier choices when eating out. Some chain restaurants may also have some of their menu options listed on food and diet trackers like MyFitnessPal, FatSecret, and Calorie King.
However, use these sites with caution because not all information entered may be accurate. Key Facts Fast food is food from a restaurant sit-down, take-out, or delivery that is quick, convenient, and usually cheap. Fast food is usually higher in fat, calories, cholesterol, and sodium in comparison to homemade meals.