Fast Food; are there any heathy choices?

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Replies

  • mike_ny
    mike_ny Posts: 351 Member
    Diners are good because they serve breakfast anytime, so you can get an omelet or whatever and also usually very flexible about substitutions (salad or veggies instead of fries or chips) and leaving things off what they do serve (open face instead of a full sandwich, hold the starches, etc...).They also tend to have pretty decent coffee, unsweetened tea, seltzer, or lemon slices in water to avoid sugary and artificially sweetened beverages.
  • mycrazy8splus1
    mycrazy8splus1 Posts: 1,558 Member
    honestly I think that starbucks has some good choices. They have a turkey bacon egg white multigrain english muffin sandwich that clocks in close to 300 cals with good protein. Thats my go to on the run food.

    Oh great! I am always looking for a place that has turkey bacon! Thanks!
  • mycrazy8splus1
    mycrazy8splus1 Posts: 1,558 Member
    To answer the original question - chipotle is always a decent go to. Salads or bol's,

    I just discovered Chipotle's salads the other day. I couldn't believe how good they were. I told my wife that if she wasn't there I probably would have had the burrito, but after eating the salad I changed my mind. I would have to say that was probably one of the best salads I have ever had. It was the Chicken, half cup of brown rice, black beans, and a couple types of salsa. No need for any salad dressing. 540 Calories of pure bliss and I was full afterwards. Almost to the point of stuffed :-)

    That does sound good. I don't think I've been to Chipotle's before.
  • mycrazy8splus1
    mycrazy8splus1 Posts: 1,558 Member
    Diners are good because they serve breakfast anytime, so you can get an omelet or whatever and also usually very flexible about substitutions (salad or veggies instead of fries or chips) and leaving things off what they do serve (open face instead of a full sandwich, hold the starches, etc...).They also tend to have pretty decent coffee, unsweetened tea, seltzer, or lemon slices in water to avoid sugary and artificially sweetened beverages.

    I love diners! Most places don't mind our huge family either where as fast food places don't often have room for us and no way to move the tables together.
  • Smcptn
    Smcptn Posts: 59 Member
    From Dr. OZ website -- awesome info, great quiz! How did you rate?

    Healthy Restaurant Options:
    Eating out regularly can leave you consuming excessive sodium, sugar and calories. Quiz yourself on the best choices.

    Here is the link from their website:

    http://www.doctoroz.com/quiz/quiz-healthiest-foods-when-eating-out?hs317=billboard_3

    Info from Dr.Oz website..
    Americans spend an average of $110 billion on fast food every year, not including the big bucks spent at sit-down restaurants. While you’re flipping through a menu or waiting in line to order – are you considering your health? While dining out can be enjoyable, it can also wreak havoc on your diet. Not knowing exactly what is in your food or how it is prepared can leave you consuming excessive sodium, sugar and calories. Do you know the best choice for your next meal on the go? Find out now and get a side of Oz with your next entree.

    How did you rate?
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    If you find a Pita Pit, you can get a huge sandwich wrap for only about 300 calories by choosing hummus or baba ganoush and lots of veggies.

    Someone else mentioned that place some where else and I'm going to look into them. Thanks.

    I am eating Pita Pit right now...6 inch whole wheat chicken soulvaki with veggies and a bit of feta and sauce. I love it.
  • Smcptn
    Smcptn Posts: 59 Member
    Wow 50% here, that surprised me..
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    From Dr. OZ website -- awesome info, great quiz! How did you rate?

    Healthy Restaurant Options:
    Eating out regularly can leave you consuming excessive sodium, sugar and calories. Quiz yourself on the best choices.

    Here is the link from their website:

    http://www.doctoroz.com/quiz/quiz-healthiest-foods-when-eating-out?hs317=billboard_3

    Info from Dr.Oz website..
    Americans spend an average of $110 billion on fast food every year, not including the big bucks spent at sit-down restaurants. While you’re flipping through a menu or waiting in line to order – are you considering your health? While dining out can be enjoyable, it can also wreak havoc on your diet. Not knowing exactly what is in your food or how it is prepared can leave you consuming excessive sodium, sugar and calories. Do you know the best choice for your next meal on the go? Find out now and get a side of Oz with your next entree.

    How did you rate?

    Don't ever go to the Dr Oz website, ever again.
  • A_Warrior_Princess
    A_Warrior_Princess Posts: 344 Member
    I like Wendy's chili if I am in a pinch and if I am really needing the calories then I eat a baked potato with toppings. Other than that I don't eat fast food since it doesn't really taste good.
  • mycrazy8splus1
    mycrazy8splus1 Posts: 1,558 Member
    From Dr. OZ website -- awesome info, great quiz! How did you rate?

    Healthy Restaurant Options:
    Eating out regularly can leave you consuming excessive sodium, sugar and calories. Quiz yourself on the best choices.

    Here is the link from their website:

    http://www.doctoroz.com/quiz/quiz-healthiest-foods-when-eating-out?hs317=billboard_3

    Info from Dr.Oz website..
    Americans spend an average of $110 billion on fast food every year, not including the big bucks spent at sit-down restaurants. While you’re flipping through a menu or waiting in line to order – are you considering your health? While dining out can be enjoyable, it can also wreak havoc on your diet. Not knowing exactly what is in your food or how it is prepared can leave you consuming excessive sodium, sugar and calories. Do you know the best choice for your next meal on the go? Find out now and get a side of Oz with your next entree.

    How did you rate?

    I think they need to rework this quiz. The options aren't great. Not enough information to make an proper choice. Like the question asking you to choose between a chicken sandwich and a sandwich....what kind is the second sandwich? what kind of bread?meat? fillers, sauces? Not a great quiz IMO.
  • StacyReneO
    StacyReneO Posts: 317 Member
    I usually get lunch from Chipotle or Sharkys - a protein, veggies, guac and pico.
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    From Dr. OZ website -- awesome info, great quiz! How did you rate?

    Healthy Restaurant Options:
    Eating out regularly can leave you consuming excessive sodium, sugar and calories. Quiz yourself on the best choices.

    Here is the link from their website:

    http://www.doctoroz.com/quiz/quiz-healthiest-foods-when-eating-out?hs317=billboard_3

    Info from Dr.Oz website..
    Americans spend an average of $110 billion on fast food every year, not including the big bucks spent at sit-down restaurants. While you’re flipping through a menu or waiting in line to order – are you considering your health? While dining out can be enjoyable, it can also wreak havoc on your diet. Not knowing exactly what is in your food or how it is prepared can leave you consuming excessive sodium, sugar and calories. Do you know the best choice for your next meal on the go? Find out now and get a side of Oz with your next entree.

    How did you rate?

    Don't ever go to the Dr Oz website, ever again.

    QFT - MTE - Please.
  • Lesa_Sass
    Lesa_Sass Posts: 2,213 Member
    No food is inherently unhealthy. This includes fast food.

    ^^agree!

    Oh gesus. Here we go again. Saying it and agreeing with it does not make it true.

    Yall know about all the crap that goes into the "almost meat" and chicken nuggets right? If you do not mind chemical laden foods then hey, that is your prerogative but please, do not try to pass that crap off as healthy, because it is not. And there are dozens of scientific reports stating this as well.

    Pay attention to the truth instead of wanting to justify eating crap.

    http://www.criticalbench.com/unhealthy_fast_food.htm

    Well instead of spreading propaganda with an editorial article I"ll give you some actual scientific studies.

    Consider this study showing that “reduced-calorie diets result in clinically meaningful weight loss regardless of which macronutrients they emphasize.” - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19246357

    Or perhaps this study which found “diets differing substantially in glycemic load induce comparable long-term weight loss.”- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17413101

    Results of Professor Mark Haub who lost 27lbs and improved markers of health while eating a diet consisting of Twinkies.
    http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/index.html

    Flexible dieting
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11707550

    Plus some decent articles here:

    http://dynamicduotraining.com/wordpress/15-nutrition-myths-you-want-to-knowallow-the-experts-to-tell/

    Carry on with your needless demonizing.

    LOL, cnn and wordpress are not credible sources, but if you would like some, here you go:

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120330081352.htm

    http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=EN_NEWS&ACTION=D&RCN=34469

    http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20101107/fast-food-kids-meals-still-unhealthy

    http://news.yale.edu/2010/11/08/fast-food-restaurants-dish-unhealthy-marketing-youth-researchers-release-unprecedented-re


    Now for those of you that do not have any health risks or diseases, then by all means, if you think fast food is good for you that is your prerogative

    I have an auto immune disease, I know that cutting out processed and refined foods cut my chronic pain levels IN HALF. Now no one can tell me that processed or refined food is not bad for you if it not eating it makes me better....period.

    The unfortunate thing about eating crappy food is that no one takes issue with it until they get sick.

    For REAL knowledge and science based facts, there is a FREE on line nutrition course on Coursera. All that anyone has
    to do is just watch the Youtube lectures to learn facts, no need to take the tests if there is no interest.

    https://www.coursera.org/

    And yes, I shall and will continue demonizing foods that are bad for us. Through my "demonizing" I have helped hundreds of people get healthy and helped dozens of families be more aware of what they are putting in their bodies. I am fortunate to be able to do this, for free and have been blessed beyond measure for doing so. I am bound and determined to change the world, one fork at a time.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    No food is inherently unhealthy. This includes fast food.

    ^^agree!

    Oh gesus. Here we go again. Saying it and agreeing with it does not make it true.

    Yall know about all the crap that goes into the "almost meat" and chicken nuggets right? If you do not mind chemical laden foods then hey, that is your prerogative but please, do not try to pass that crap off as healthy, because it is not. And there are dozens of scientific reports stating this as well.

    Pay attention to the truth instead of wanting to justify eating crap.

    http://www.criticalbench.com/unhealthy_fast_food.htm

    Well instead of spreading propaganda with an editorial article I"ll give you some actual scientific studies.

    Consider this study showing that “reduced-calorie diets result in clinically meaningful weight loss regardless of which macronutrients they emphasize.” - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19246357

    Or perhaps this study which found “diets differing substantially in glycemic load induce comparable long-term weight loss.”- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17413101

    Results of Professor Mark Haub who lost 27lbs and improved markers of health while eating a diet consisting of Twinkies.
    http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/index.html

    Flexible dieting
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11707550

    Plus some decent articles here:

    http://dynamicduotraining.com/wordpress/15-nutrition-myths-you-want-to-knowallow-the-experts-to-tell/

    Carry on with your needless demonizing.

    LOL, cnn and wordpress are not credible sources, but if you would like some, here you go:

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120330081352.htm

    http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=EN_NEWS&ACTION=D&RCN=34469

    http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20101107/fast-food-kids-meals-still-unhealthy

    http://news.yale.edu/2010/11/08/fast-food-restaurants-dish-unhealthy-marketing-youth-researchers-release-unprecedented-re


    Now for those of you that do not have any health risks or diseases, then by all means, if you think fast food is good for you that is your prerogative

    I have an auto immune disease, I know that cutting out processed and refined foods cut my chronic pain levels IN HALF. Now no one can tell me that processed or refined food is not bad for you if it not eating it makes me better....period.

    The unfortunate thing about eating crappy food is that no one takes issue with it until they get sick.

    For REAL knowledge and science based facts, there is a FREE on line nutrition course on Coursera. All that anyone has
    to do is just watch the Youtube lectures to learn facts, no need to take the tests if there is no interest.

    https://www.coursera.org/

    And yes, I shall and will continue demonizing foods that are bad for us. Through my "demonizing" I have helped hundreds of people get healthy and helped dozens of families be more aware of what they are putting in their bodies. I am fortunate to be able to do this, for free and have been blessed beyond measure for doing so. I am bound and determined to change the world, one fork at a time.

    When is the last time you actually logged food?

    Cause you seem, to me, to be just another person yelling about the evils of "fast food" who either has a closed diary or doesn't log.

    BTW, you linked to a blog that cites no sources and wants you to buy a book. Then you linked to some popular press articles that talk about studies that don't seem to have anything to do with the topic at hand.

    Magerum linked directly to peer-reviewed scientific studies as well as an expert interview which itself directly cites numerous peer-reviewed scientific studies.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    No food is inherently unhealthy. This includes fast food.

    It depends on how you are defining "unhealthy food".

    Presumably the definition would be "food that has a negative impact on some measure of health."

    That is not the definition I would use, which is why I asked. But, using that definition I would expect some foods to be inherently unhealthy, since some foods are known to negatively affect measures of health, even if only temporarily. And if you include "increased risk of disease" as a measure, there would certainly be unhealthy foods.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    No food is inherently unhealthy. This includes fast food.
    depends on how you are defining "unhealthy food".

    Presumably the definition would be "food that has a negative impact on some measure of health."

    That is not the definition I would use, which is why I asked. But, using that definition I would expect some foods to be inherently unhealthy, since some foods are known to negatively affect measures of health, even if only temporarily. And if you include "increased risk of disease" as a measure, there would certainly be unhealthy foods.

    I bet you include sugar in that list. :laugh:

    Oh you.
  • Garthamatic
    Garthamatic Posts: 84 Member
    I may be shot for this, but hey...

    I personally *love* the Southwest Grilled Chicken salad at McDonalds. Add half a package of Newman's Own southwest dressing and you get a filling salad with 28g of protein, 7g of fiber and only 340 calories. I sometimes get a fruit-and-yogurt parfait for desert.

    As fast food goes, it's my preferred option. Tastes great and fits my plans.

    My personal perspective is my body is not a glass temple. It's robust enough to handle a variety of foods and exercise, so why not? :)
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    I may be shot for this, but hey...

    I personally *love* the Southwest Grilled Chicken salad at McDonalds. Add half a package of Newman's Own southwest dressing and you get a filling salad with 28g of protein, 7g of fiber and only 340 calories. I sometimes get a fruit-and-yogurt parfait for desert.

    As fast food goes, it's my preferred option. Tastes great and fits my plans.

    My personal perspective is my body is not a glass temple. It's robust enough to handle a variety of foods and exercise, so why not? :)

    I like the grilled chicken Caesar with a packet of Balsamic Vinaigrette. 280 calories in the whole thing, I think. Pretty tasty and filling.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    No food is inherently unhealthy. This includes fast food.
    depends on how you are defining "unhealthy food".

    Presumably the definition would be "food that has a negative impact on some measure of health."

    That is not the definition I would use, which is why I asked. But, using that definition I would expect some foods to be inherently unhealthy, since some foods are known to negatively affect measures of health, even if only temporarily. And if you include "increased risk of disease" as a measure, there would certainly be unhealthy foods.

    I bet you include sugar in that list. :laugh:

    Oh you.

    No, not sugar, at least not for everyone. But partially hydrogenated oils and processed meats would be.
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    Magerum linked directly to peer-reviewed scientific studies as well as an expert interview which itself directly cites numerous peer-reviewed scientific studies.

    Thank you.
  • FerretBuellerr
    FerretBuellerr Posts: 468 Member
    I don't know if this was already said anywhere in the thread, but Subway isn't even really THAT healthy for you (depending on how you regard "healthy")

    I worked at Subway for 3 years, and the only truly healthy parts of their stuff are the fresh veggies (tomato, cucumber, onion, green pepper - I'm not including lettuce because it's sometimes iffy) - most of the meats and the "regular" cheese are entirely processed. If processed is okay with you, then eat away! After working and eating Subway almost every day for 3 years, I can really taste the difference between one of their sandwiches and making my own (my own made with the same ingredients I find makes me feel fuller and more nourished without the blah after feeling of processed foods, but that might just be me).

    If you have time, try and Google any healthy fast food or organic places, or look up places on urbanspoon for prices and reviews. I find the little-known places are often the healthiest! I know I discovered a place called Green Rebel where I live in Ottawa (Canada, just incase :wink: ) which you can buy salads, soups and sandwiches, all organic and freshly made right in front of you. I like it best when my meal is made right in front of me so I can specifically ask for certain things and avoid others.

    Good luck on your healthy fast food search!
  • FerretBuellerr
    FerretBuellerr Posts: 468 Member
    No food is inherently unhealthy. This includes fast food.

    ^^agree!

    Oh gesus. Here we go again. Saying it and agreeing with it does not make it true.

    Yall know about all the crap that goes into the "almost meat" and chicken nuggets right? If you do not mind chemical laden foods then hey, that is your prerogative but please, do not try to pass that crap off as healthy, because it is not. And there are dozens of scientific reports stating this as well.

    Pay attention to the truth instead of wanting to justify eating crap.

    http://www.criticalbench.com/unhealthy_fast_food.htm

    Well instead of spreading propaganda with an editorial article I"ll give you some actual scientific studies.

    Consider this study showing that “reduced-calorie diets result in clinically meaningful weight loss regardless of which macronutrients they emphasize.” - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19246357

    Or perhaps this study which found “diets differing substantially in glycemic load induce comparable long-term weight loss.”- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17413101

    Results of Professor Mark Haub who lost 27lbs and improved markers of health while eating a diet consisting of Twinkies.
    http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/index.html

    Flexible dieting
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11707550

    Plus some decent articles here:

    http://dynamicduotraining.com/wordpress/15-nutrition-myths-you-want-to-knowallow-the-experts-to-tell/

    Carry on with your needless demonizing.

    LOL, cnn and wordpress are not credible sources, but if you would like some, here you go:

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120330081352.htm

    http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=EN_NEWS&ACTION=D&RCN=34469

    http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20101107/fast-food-kids-meals-still-unhealthy

    http://news.yale.edu/2010/11/08/fast-food-restaurants-dish-unhealthy-marketing-youth-researchers-release-unprecedented-re


    Now for those of you that do not have any health risks or diseases, then by all means, if you think fast food is good for you that is your prerogative

    I have an auto immune disease, I know that cutting out processed and refined foods cut my chronic pain levels IN HALF. Now no one can tell me that processed or refined food is not bad for you if it not eating it makes me better....period.

    The unfortunate thing about eating crappy food is that no one takes issue with it until they get sick.

    For REAL knowledge and science based facts, there is a FREE on line nutrition course on Coursera. All that anyone has
    to do is just watch the Youtube lectures to learn facts, no need to take the tests if there is no interest.

    https://www.coursera.org/

    And yes, I shall and will continue demonizing foods that are bad for us. Through my "demonizing" I have helped hundreds of people get healthy and helped dozens of families be more aware of what they are putting in their bodies. I am fortunate to be able to do this, for free and have been blessed beyond measure for doing so. I am bound and determined to change the world, one fork at a time.

    Respect!!!! :heart: It highly irritates me when people don't take things like that seriously. It's not demonizing or fear-mongering, it's the hard truth that no one really wants to hear.
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    No food is inherently unhealthy. This includes fast food.

    ^^agree!

    Oh gesus. Here we go again. Saying it and agreeing with it does not make it true.

    Yall know about all the crap that goes into the "almost meat" and chicken nuggets right? If you do not mind chemical laden foods then hey, that is your prerogative but please, do not try to pass that crap off as healthy, because it is not. And there are dozens of scientific reports stating this as well.

    Pay attention to the truth instead of wanting to justify eating crap.

    http://www.criticalbench.com/unhealthy_fast_food.htm

    Well instead of spreading propaganda with an editorial article I"ll give you some actual scientific studies.

    Consider this study showing that “reduced-calorie diets result in clinically meaningful weight loss regardless of which macronutrients they emphasize.” - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19246357

    Or perhaps this study which found “diets differing substantially in glycemic load induce comparable long-term weight loss.”- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17413101

    Results of Professor Mark Haub who lost 27lbs and improved markers of health while eating a diet consisting of Twinkies.
    http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/index.html

    Flexible dieting
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11707550

    Plus some decent articles here:

    http://dynamicduotraining.com/wordpress/15-nutrition-myths-you-want-to-knowallow-the-experts-to-tell/

    Carry on with your needless demonizing.

    LOL, cnn and wordpress are not credible sources, but if you would like some, here you go:

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120330081352.htm

    http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=EN_NEWS&ACTION=D&RCN=34469

    http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20101107/fast-food-kids-meals-still-unhealthy

    http://news.yale.edu/2010/11/08/fast-food-restaurants-dish-unhealthy-marketing-youth-researchers-release-unprecedented-re


    Now for those of you that do not have any health risks or diseases, then by all means, if you think fast food is good for you that is your prerogative

    I have an auto immune disease, I know that cutting out processed and refined foods cut my chronic pain levels IN HALF. Now no one can tell me that processed or refined food is not bad for you if it not eating it makes me better....period.

    The unfortunate thing about eating crappy food is that no one takes issue with it until they get sick.

    For REAL knowledge and science based facts, there is a FREE on line nutrition course on Coursera. All that anyone has
    to do is just watch the Youtube lectures to learn facts, no need to take the tests if there is no interest.

    https://www.coursera.org/

    And yes, I shall and will continue demonizing foods that are bad for us. Through my "demonizing" I have helped hundreds of people get healthy and helped dozens of families be more aware of what they are putting in their bodies. I am fortunate to be able to do this, for free and have been blessed beyond measure for doing so. I am bound and determined to change the world, one fork at a time.

    Respect!!!! :heart: It highly irritates me when people don't take things like that seriously. It's not demonizing or fear-mongering, it's the hard truth that no one really wants to hear.

    Actually I posted peer-reviewed studies and articles by industry experts that linked additional studies.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
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  • VeganLexi
    VeganLexi Posts: 960 Member
    Yes...to not eat it :smile:
  • scottaworley
    scottaworley Posts: 871 Member
    Yes...to not eat it :smile:

    That's how I feel about vegetables.
  • KarlyK929
    KarlyK929 Posts: 44 Member
    I live in Denver, so here are a few good places to try:

    -Jimmy Johns
    -Chipotle
    -Qdoba
    -Larkburger
    -Mad Greens
    -Choppers
    -Greens
    -Wahoo's Fish Taco
    -Panera
    -Udi's
    -Noodles & Company

    That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Add me if you want any more Denver tips :)
  • VeganLexi
    VeganLexi Posts: 960 Member
    Yes...to not eat it :smile:

    That's how I feel about vegetables.

    Too bad :smile:
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    Pita Pit is so good! I wish there were more in my area. Taco Bell has lighter options.
  • RoyBeck
    RoyBeck Posts: 947 Member
    Large chicken shish with salad and no sauce.

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