Fast Food, Healthy Heart

by Keira Adams on October 5, 2008

by Keira Adams

A lot of individuals eat on the run in today’s fast-paced society. Eating at home is generally healthier than restaurant fare. However, you can still make healthy choices when you’re eating fast food. Here are some rules of thumb you should follow as you’re perusing the fast food menu.

A lot of fast food franchises are well aware of the poor reputation that fast food has for clogging up the arteries. To meet the challenge, they have introduced many food choices that are better for you. For instance, many fast food chains now have salads on the menu. All the same, look out for the saturated fat in the dressing. Salads that are garnished with deep fried chicken aren’t as heart healthy as the ones containing grilled chicken.

For your sandwich, opt for grilled chicken over fried. Also, asking for lots of veggies on your sandwich is always a good idea. Go for dressings like mustard or ketchup instead of mayonnaise, which is high in saturated fat.

Choose fruit or salad as a side dish rather than fries. So your lunch will be packed full of fiber and vitamins instead of saturated fat. Instead of soda, pick juice or milk to drink with your meal. This can aid in maintaining normal blood sugar and give you additional vitamins and minerals.

When you’re genuinely hungry for a hamburger and French fries, it’s alright to eat them now and then. However, watch out for the size of the serving. A lot of fast food restaurants provide servings that are big enough for more than one meal. To reduce the amount of saturated fat in your meal, choose a small hamburger and small fries, or even a kid’s meal.

If you’re giving your kids fast food, don’t forget that there are often healthy choices like apple slices and mandarin oranges available. Opt for juice or milk over soda.

In fast food Mexican eateries, a simple burrito or taco could actually be quite healthful. Be sure to pile on lots of vegetables in order to up the fiber content. You might think a taco salad is a good choice, but frequently it’s high in calories as well as saturated fat.

If you’re having fast food for most of your meals, you’re putting your heart health at risk if you don’t choose wisely. Dining at home is your best alternative. However, if that’s not feasible, why not try the “better for you” choices that are out there.

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