In today's fast-paced world, it is likely unrealistic to say you will never eat fast food or restaurant food again. However, you can still lead a healthy lifestyle and occasionally eat out at the same time. The more you know about the food that goes into your body, the better choices you will be able to make.
Planning for fast food as part of your whole day
If you know you will be eating a meal out, think about the other food choices you will be making throughout the day. Be sure to include lots of whole grains, vegetables and fruits and low-fat dairy products to balance your intake. In addition, make a special effort to be more active that day. Get off the bus one or two stops early and walk the extra distance. Remember, all foods can fit; it is all about moderation.
Fast food facts
The average adult needs about 2000 calories a day, comprising of no more than 65 grams of fat (including less than 22 grams of saturated fat) and no more than 2400 mg sodium.
Inactive 14-year-old girls and boys require approximately 2000 and 2300 calories a day, respectively. Just one fast food meal can easily contribute nearly half of these daily requirements. Take a look at some of these popular restaurant food items and compare.
| Burgers | |
|---|---|
| Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese - McDonald's | Calories: 760 Total fat: 45 g Saturated fat: 21 g Sodium: 1310 mg |
| Big Mac - McDonald's | Calories: 540 Total fat: 29 g Saturated fat: 10 g Sodium: 1020 mg |
| Bacon Deluxe Single – Wendy's | Calories: 680 Total fat: 41 g Saturated fat: 17 g Sodium: 1480 g |
| Whopper - Burger King | Calories: 670 Total fat: 40 g Saturated fat: 11 g Sodium: 910 mg |
| Chicken sandwiches | |
|---|---|
| McChicken - McDonald's | Calories: 470 Total fat: 27 g Saturated fat: 4.5 g Sodium: 790 mg |
| Homestyle Chicken Fillet Sandwich – Wendy's | Calories: 500 Total fat: 21 g Saturated fat: 5 g Sodium: 1180 mg |
| Crispy Twister - KFC | Calories: 490 Total fat: 23 g Saturated fat: 3 g Sodium: 1300 mg |
| Fish sandwiches | |
|---|---|
| Fillet-O-Fish - McDonald's | Calories: 410 Total fat: 20 g Saturated fat: 4 g Sodium: 580 mg |
| Fisherman's Fillet - Burger King | Calories: 500 Total fat: 26 g Saturated fat: 4 g Sodium: 860 mg |
So what can you eat? Here are some menu suggestions that offer less calories, fat and sodium.
Burgers
When it comes to burgers, the best bet is to order a single plain hamburger. It will be the lowest in fat and calories. Veggie burgers, made from soybeans are also healthier options. Lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions add some nutrient value without the calories.
Chicken
If chicken sandwiches are your preference, look for ones that are "grilled".
Fish
Craving a fish sandwich? Try asking for one without the sauce. You can save an extra 160 calories and approximately 17 grams of fat.
Drinking your calories away
You would be surprised just how many calories can be in your favourite Starbucks coffee. A Vanilla Frappuccino Blended Crème with whipped cream (grande size) comes in at 480 calories with 17 grams of fat (12 of them saturated) and 26 grams of sugar; that's the equivalent of 5 teaspoons.
By choosing a plain coffee and adding your own sugar/sweetener and skim milk, you will cut down your calorie and fat intake. Also, to reduce the saturated fat intake, ask the server to make your cappuccino or latte with skim rather than whole milk.
Healthier alternatives
Many fast food restaurants offer new menu items that claim to be healthier choices. Sometimes this may be true, other times not. For example, a salad with toppings and extras like bacon, crispy chicken, and high fat salad dressings can provide as many calories, fat grams and sodium as the burgers.
Healthier items include whole wheat submarines, wraps and pitas filled with lean meats and lots of veggies. Go easy on the sauces and spreads, or ask if they offer low-fat or light alternatives.
Look at the menu descriptions
At any restaurant, look closely at the description of the food item - to reduce your fat intake, choose items that are baked, grilled, poached, steamed, barbequed, roasted or broiled.
Other key words that likely mean a high-fat choice are: alfredo, au gratin, breaded, buttered, creamed, crispy, en croute, hollandaise, pastry, prime, rich, sautéed, scalloped, with gravy or with thick sauce.
High sodium foods are often described as pickled, smoked or made with soy sauce.
Fried foods
Skip fried foods; they are loaded with saturated fat. There are always other healthier options to choose such as garden salads, baked potato, wild rice, and baked or grilled version of their fried counterparts.
Extras
Ask for salad dressing or mayo on the side. That way you can control the amount of fat that goes on your food, rather than the restaurant.
Always ask
Ask the server which are the lower fat entrees. The server should be knowledgeable with regards to the restaurant's menu items.
Portion sizes
Avoid larger sizes, try the lunch portion. If you cannot finish what you ordered, take it home for lunch the next day.
Health implications
Help your health by moderating your calorie, saturated fat and salt intake.
Calorie intake
Think of maintaining a healthy body weight as a balanced teeter-totter. If you consume more calories than you burn by being active, the teeter-totter will lower, with you gaining weight. If you burn more calories than you consume, the teeter-totter will rise, with you losing weight. Being overweight is linked to many diseases such as diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), stroke and other heart related disease.
Fat and cholesterol
Fat, specifically saturated fat, can increase your body's production of "bad" cholesterol; the kind that sticks to your artery walls causing them to narrow and eventually be blocked. In order to decrease your risk of heart disease, lowering your intake of saturated fat is crucial.
Salt and high blood pressure
Sodium, which you consume as salt, is strongly linked to high blood pressure. Diets high in salt cause your body to retain water, which increases your body's blood volume. Think of your artery as a garden hose; if you turn on the faucet, the water (blood) will eventually get pumped out. If you were to crank the faucet to full, the amount of water (blood) coming out is significantly more. The pressure inside the hose increases in order to pump the water through. Now think of your garden hose being pinched; (e.g. a narrowed or blocked artery from the build-up of "bad" cholesterol) the pressure before the pinch would be huge, and dangerous.