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Fast Food: What you need to know.
Conscious eating
Being aware of your choices is never more important than when you’re ordering from a glitzy fast food menu. But beware – no one can foul up a perfectly healthy meal like the purveyors of fast food.
Grilled, not fried
All fish and chicken are not created equal. Deep-fried foods are submerged in hot oils loaded with artery-clogging trans fats; grilled foods are obviously cooked by open flame. And when you order grilled, don’t blow it with a ton of butter and mayonnaise. Ask for your condiments on the side so you can spread a healthy quantity yourself.
Some words about cheese
Cheese is to fast food what wheels are to cars. And why not? It tastes great, especially melted, and a certain amount of dairy in your diet is good for you. But when you’re planning your made-to-order, six-inch, Subway sandwich, remember this: An ounce of cheese can contain up to 10 grams of fat!
When a salad isn’t
Incredibly, salads have become as ubiquitous to fast food as French fries. Common sense says you can’t go wrong if you order one, but the primary ingredients of a salad are supposed to be raw, leafy, green vegetables. When a salad comes loaded with cheese and fried chicken and/or bacon, and it’s doused with a fat-rich dressing, what’s the point? A chicken BLT “Garden Sensation Salad” from Wendy’s is a whopping 700 calories! If you’re going to eat that much saturated fat you might as well eat a steak. To get around the fat and calories, ax the fried meat, use as little dressing as possible, and/or ask for a slice of lemon.
But surely a sandwich is OK?
They’re quick and easy and potentially wholesome. The trick is to be aware of what you’re putting on them. Go for lean meats and skip oil and mayonnaise additives. Like everyone else, Jared had to read the menu and select a Savory Turkey Breast Subway sandwich over Meatball Marinara.
A plain baked potato with a small serving of chili from Wendy’s may be a better option.
Stuck at McDonald’s?
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