HEALTHY FAST FOOD???

neanderthin

Playing devils advocate here: What's unhealthy about fast food ?

rosebarnalice

When I'm on the road and fast food seems to be the only option, I go to Wendy's and order a side salad no dressing and a small chili, and then pour the chili on the salad. A couple of packets of the chili seasoning adds some zing!

Not really a sandwich person, but in a pinch will also get a Subway "Fresh Fit" sized turkey sandwich with veggies, and then only eat about half of the bread. Still more sodium than I like to consume, but it's a option when other options are limited!

tigersword

subway. veggie sandwich. no cheese. no oil. bread and veggies. sodium?

sodium in the bread.

haha. oh.

It's likely there are nitrates on the lettuce to keep it fresh longer too.

You are aware that nitrates are actually naturally occurring in most vegetables, right? That's where the vast majority of nitrates consumed by humans come from.

tigersword

Playing devils advocate here: What's unhealthy about fast food ?

If there are trans-fats in it, that's really the only thing. If there aren't any trans-fats, then, honestly, nothing. They are high calorie, and usually high carb and high fat, but if you work it into your daily plan there is absolutely nothing wrong with eating anything.

jlfred

BURGERVILLE!!!

OK, maybe not "healthy" -- more certainly "more healthy" than most. And they include ALL nutrition information on the receipts, not just calories (or a calorie range). 2 different types of veggie burgers, seasoned ground turkey burgers, awesome salads, no trans fats, locally grown/raised products.

bcattoes

subway. veggie sandwich. no cheese. no oil. bread and veggies. sodium?

sodium in the bread.

haha. oh.

It's likely there are nitrates on the lettuce to keep it fresh longer too.

You are aware that nitrates are actually naturally occurring in most vegetables, right? That's where the vast majority of nitrates consumed by humans come from.

No, I did/do not know that. What I know is that according to my nutritionist friend the nitrates in deli meats and restaurant salads is one of the worst things you can put in your body because it does terrible things to your pancreas. Whether those are different from the nitrates to which you refer or if it's the concentration of them that is the problem, I have no clue.

bcattoes

Playing devils advocate here: What's unhealthy about fast food ?

If there are trans-fats in it, that's really the only thing. If there aren't any trans-fats, then, honestly, nothing. They are high calorie, and usually high carb and high fat, but if you work it into your daily plan there is absolutely nothing wrong with eating anything.

Trans fats are not the only unhealthy food.

bcattoes

subway. veggie sandwich. no cheese. no oil. bread and veggies. sodium?

sodium in the bread.

haha. oh.

It's likely there are nitrates on the lettuce to keep it fresh longer too.

So pretty much like all the crap that is sprayed on supermarket veggies?
I'm thinkin if anyone is THIS concerned about what is in fast food, they might as well just steer clear and eat from their own garden.

My supermarket does not spray nitrates on the veggies, except maybe in the salad bar. But I agree with the second sentence, which is why I steer clear and grow my own. Well, that and I really enjoy gardening.

tigersword

You eat far more nitrates in vegetables than you do in cured meats. There are no actual studies showing any real links to between nitrates and health problems. There is such a thing as nitrate toxicity, but it's pretty rare, and usually occurs in infants that eat high amounts of vegetables. The human body has an enzymes that processes the nitrates, and takes care of them, harmlessly. Old research from 50 years ago blamed nitrates for just about everything, but current research specifically on nitrates haven't found any causal links to negative health risks.

The truth is, vegetarians and vegans have more of a risk of problems from nitrates than anybody who eats cured meat, due to a combination of lower stomach acid, higher amounts of concentrated nitrates from eating more veggies, overloading the enzymes responsible for metabolizing nitrates.

tigersword

Playing devils advocate here: What's unhealthy about fast food ?

If there are trans-fats in it, that's really the only thing. If there aren't any trans-fats, then, honestly, nothing. They are high calorie, and usually high carb and high fat, but if you work it into your daily plan there is absolutely nothing wrong with eating anything.

Trans fats are not the only unhealthy food.

So which parts of fast food are the unhealthy parts? The lettuce, tomatoes, beef, chicken, bread, cheese, or potatoes? Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, pickles or onions?

Jacksheadache

Fish are fast, they can be food, they're healthy.

bcattoes

Playing devils advocate here: What's unhealthy about fast food ?

If there are trans-fats in it, that's really the only thing. If there aren't any trans-fats, then, honestly, nothing. They are high calorie, and usually high carb and high fat, but if you work it into your daily plan there is absolutely nothing wrong with eating anything.

Trans fats are not the only unhealthy food.

So which parts of fast food are the unhealthy parts? The lettuce, tomatoes, beef, chicken, bread, cheese, or potatoes? Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, pickles or onions?

Yeah, pretty much.

warmachinejt

right now all fast food is healthy for me lol i am on a gaining cycle and i could eat 2 burgers and still fit in my macros

bcattoes

right now all fast food is healthy for me lol i am on a gaining cycle and i could eat 2 burgers and still fit in my macros

I'm not sure most (any) health professionals would agree that anything is healthy as long as it fits your macros.

kateroot

There's no such thing as healthy fast food. There may be some low calorie options, but it's all full of garbage. Your best bet is to steer clear of it as much as possible.

tigersword

Playing devils advocate here: What's unhealthy about fast food ?

If there are trans-fats in it, that's really the only thing. If there aren't any trans-fats, then, honestly, nothing. They are high calorie, and usually high carb and high fat, but if you work it into your daily plan there is absolutely nothing wrong with eating anything.

Trans fats are not the only unhealthy food.

So which parts of fast food are the unhealthy parts? The lettuce, tomatoes, beef, chicken, bread, cheese, or potatoes? Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, pickles or onions?

Yeah, pretty much.

So, because McDonald's buys a head of lettuce from a farm, suddenly that head of lettuce becomes unhealthy, but the lettuce that goes to the grocery store instead is fine? I don't follow the logic.

westcoastSW

Playing devils advocate here: What's unhealthy about fast food ?

If there are trans-fats in it, that's really the only thing. If there aren't any trans-fats, then, honestly, nothing. They are high calorie, and usually high carb and high fat, but if you work it into your daily plan there is absolutely nothing wrong with eating anything.

Trans fats are not the only unhealthy food.

So which parts of fast food are the unhealthy parts? The lettuce, tomatoes, beef, chicken, bread, cheese, or potatoes? Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, pickles or onions?

I want to play this game too! I would say that the unhealthiness comes from the large amounts of preservatives, compared with, say, a ground beef patty from your butcher and some homemade bread with a few veggies thrown on. Also, fast food restaurants (well, nearly all restaurants really) serve quite large portions, which if eaten regularly, are also unhealthy.

But I do fully see your point about logging the meal and planning the rest of your day accordingly. I do that frequently

kaetra

Wendy's chili isn't bad, except for the extremely high sodium. SOOOO high. And the crackers add a heck of a lot more sodium than I thought they would too.

Most of the "less-evil" options at fast food places are high in sodium.

And many of the salads at fast food places have more calories than if you would have gotten the quarter pounder. I love quarter pounders without cheese. It's a special treat and it's not horrible. And if I've watched the sodium in the rest of my day I don't even go over in the sodium category, and I try to stay below 2000 sodium.

tigersword

Unless you have heart problems, there's no reason to be concerned with sodium. It's necessary to live, and your body eliminates it if there's too much.

tbudge

Ugghh...I'm so sick of everyone worrying about sodium and processed foods, etc etc...unless you have your own garden, your own cow, your own chickens, etc, you have to worry about sodium and processing...life is way too short for all that!
Watch your calories!!! A calorie is a calorie is a calorie...period! Yes there are other options if you are going to a fast food restaurant! You will pay more, but if you go to Wendy's, get the salad, only use one of the packets of dressing and get the low cal one. Go to Chipotle, get a rice bowl with chicken, salsa and lettuce only, no cheese no sour cream. Go to Subway, eat the turkey or ham sandwich without mayo....hey, it worked for Jared!!! Read the nutrition menus before going so you know what you're eating.
Otherwise, start growing your own veggies and rice, buy a cow and start raising some chickens.

ONE03

Otherwise, start growing your own veggies and rice, buy a cow and start raising some chickens.

:laugh: my neighbor actually had some chickens in their backyard one day, and the next day they were gone. my uncle in TN has a farm, and seriously, they have the best tasting food, probably because it's fresh.

i think some people are guilty of being too perfectionist about doing something that if it isn't perfect like low salt, low fat, etc... they end up not doing anything at all. it took me a while to realize this myself. it's better to do the best you can with your situation and not worry too much about having everything "perfect" or else you just don't want to do it.

silvergurl518

last resort today: went to wendy's (havent' been there in YEARS). i a half size salad and a medium fries--only ate 1/2 the salad and 1/4 of the fries because i just didn't want anymore. i feel great being able to say no once i'm full! (yes, i had a small chocolate frosty as an appetizer)

bcattoes

Ugghh...I'm so sick of everyone worrying about sodium and processed foods, etc etc...unless you have your own garden, your own cow, your own chickens, etc, you have to worry about sodium and processing...life is way too short for all that!
Watch your calories!!! A calorie is a calorie is a calorie...period!

That's silly. You can buy fresh or frozen vegetables and meats at the grocery store that are not processed and don't have sodium added. You can even buy no/reduced salt canned foods. I can't speak for anyone else but I don't worry about sodium and processed food additives because of the calories. I worry about them because they are unnatural and mostly unhealthy. I like being thin, but I like being healthy even more.

Fast food is not a necessity in today's world. It's a convenience.

kristelpoole

Ugghh...I'm so sick of everyone worrying about sodium and processed foods, etc etc...unless you have your own garden, your own cow, your own chickens, etc, you have to worry about sodium and processing...life is way too short for all that!
Watch your calories!!! A calorie is a calorie is a calorie...period!

That's silly. You can buy fresh or frozen vegetables and meats at the grocery store that are not processed and don't have sodium added. You can even buy no/reduced salt canned foods. I can't speak for anyone else but I don't worry about sodium and processed food additives because of the calories. I worry about them because they are unnatural and mostly unhealthy. I like being thin, but I like being healthy even more.

Fast food is not a necessity in today's world. It's a convenience.

:drinker: My God, I'm glad someone said it. Cheers! :drinker:

virruth

For health reasons, I recently started following the American Heart Association dietary guidelines. The websites is very helpful AND lists the better choices at some well known fast food places. This is good for anyone trying to eat healthier!

cxdyer

If you have a Boston Market near you, that is the healthiest fast food I have found. Although if you try to eat lower in sodium then that place won't be a good idea either. I guess any food cooked by restaurants have the disadvantage to the nutrition chart in some aspect. Jason's Deli is another alternative, but it's not drive thru.

lannlynn

Sometimes life gets in the way of eating healthy or what you prepare. I have a family, I work 40 hours a week, I have a house to clean, I go to the gym 5 - 6 days a week so preparing my own food is a little difficult even with planning meals. I eat fast food on occasion. My hats off to those who eat what they've prepared at home - 365 days a year. I find it impossible! That's just me. I have found what works for me and I do eat out a couple of times a week

foremant86

All the people saying fast food is unhealthy but eating at home is healthy aren't exactly right either. Unless you are eating all organic, most of the foods(yes i'm talking fresh meat and veggies) we buy at the store are altered in some way shape or form and aren't necessarily healthy either.

Yes eating at home is healhtIER but it's not necessarily the epitome of health either.

We live in a crappy world where big companies are allowed to produce crap and most of us can't afford organic so we have no choice but to eat it.

All we can do is try our best to make better choices...

Rae6503

I just ate McDonald's for lunch. TWO double hamburgers. Yum.

foremant86

I just ate McDonald's for lunch. TWO double hamburgers. Yum.

lol, i had windy's chili. yum!