Fast Facts about Fast Food
It’s been a long day at work and by dinnertime
you’re too tired to cook. Even when you’re
exhausted, your family still counts on you to
put something together for dinner.
For many, the solution is a quick stop at the
nearest fast food drive-thru window. But next
time you think about having that quarter-pound
hamburger with cheese, think about the negative
effects those saturated fats, trans-fatty acids
and cholesterol can have on your health.
Fat - The Main Ingredient?
To lower your risk of heart disease, look for
foods with monounsaturated
and polyunsaturated
fats instead of saturated fats and trans-fatty
acids. These “healthy fats” include
many nuts and seeds, avocados and olive oil.
You won’t find “healthy fats”
in a cheeseburger or large order of french fries.
Today’s fast-food menus are laden with saturated
fats, the main dietary cause of high blood
cholesterol. Saturated fats should be limited
to 7 to 10 percent of your total calories each
day. To limit your saturated fat and trans-fatty
acid intake, the American Heart Association recommends
lowering your total fat intake by steering clear
of the fried foods found in most fast-food chain
menus.
Facts About Fat and Fast Food
- A McDonald’s Big Mac® value
meal with large fries has 63 grams of total fat.
Based on a 2,000-calorie diet, it is recommended
you have about 65 grams of fat in an entire day!
- Think fish is a healthier option? Think
again. Burger King’s B.K. Big Fish®
has 12 grams of fat more than the Big Mac.
- Taco Bell's taco salad has 52 grams of
fat, which is more than the fat in five regular
tacos put together!
- A large order of fries has 570 calories
and 30 grams of fat. Just because fries come from
potatoes, doesn’t mean they count as a serving
of vegetables.
Healthier Fast Food Options
On those days when you absolutely have to get
something quick and cheap, there are ways to work
around the fast-food menus and be healthy. The
recent addition of salads and fruits at many franchises,
makes it easier to make better choices.
Here are some options that are lower in fat but
will still satisfy your hunger:
- Go for the grilled chicken. McDonald’s
now offers grilled chicken sandwiches or salads
as healthier alternatives to burgers or fried
chicken strips. Remember to hold the mayo and
ask for reduced-fat salad dressing on the side.
- Subway offers seven sandwiches with under
6 grams of fat each. Most of these six-inch subs
have 290 calories or less (without condiments),
and are made with lean meats and fresh veggies.
- Burger King has a BK Veggie Burger®
option with only 340 calories and 8 grams of total
fat (no mayo or cheese). Compared to the famous
Whopper® which has 510 calories and 22 grams
of total fat, this burger is a tasty and healthy
substitute.
If you need something sweet, the McDonald’s
fruit and yogurt parfait is a delicious alternative
to the McFlurry®. An M&M®-flavored
McFlurry® packs in 620 calories and 20 grams
of fat, while the parfait satisfies your sweet
tooth with only 160 calories and a modest 2 grams
of fat!
So hold the fries, burgers and shakes. Choose
healthier options and your heart will thank you
later!
|
