Fat Loss 4 Idiots Opinion

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Fast Food Can be Heart Healthy Food

By Keira Adams

Many people are eating on the run in today's busy world. Dining at home is usually better for you than dining out. But eating fast food doesn't mean you have to make unhealthy choices. The next time you're eating on the run, keep these pointers in mind to help you make better choices.

A lot of fast food franchises are well aware of the poor reputation that fast food has for clogging up the arteries. To address this problem, they've brought in menu options that are healthier. For instance, many fast food chains now have salads on the menu. But be careful that you don't load up on dressing that's full of saturated fat. And if your salad comes complete with deep fried chicken on top, you can be sure it's not as heart healthy as the one featuring grilled chicken.

If you're having a chicken sandwich, ask for grilled instead of "crispy", which is deep fried and loaded with fat. As well, it's usually a good idea to request as many veggies as possible to be included in your sandwich. Rather than using mayonnaise for a dressing, choose ketchup or mustard, which are low in saturated fat.

Choose fruit or salad as a side dish rather than fries. This way your lunch will be higher in fiber and vitamins and lower in saturated fat. Rather than asking for a soda to wash down your food, choose juice or milk. This will assist in keeping your blood sugar stable and will boost your intake of vitamins and minerals.

If you just have to have a hamburger and fries, it's OK to treat yourself occasionally. But you do need to keep an eye on portion size. A number of fast food establishments give you portion sizes that are enough for a couple of meals. Opting for a children's meal or a small burger and fries will help to keep your consumption of saturated fat to a minimum.

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 always eating on the run, it's important to choose the most healthful options on the menu, or your heart might suffer for it. Your best option is to eat at home. However, if that's not feasible, why not try the "better for you" choices that are out there. - 17269

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