Is fast food really so bad for you?
Replies
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Sodium, cholesterol, and grease... it's a heart attack waiting to happen...
Sodium, cholesterol and grease (by which I assume you mean saturated fat) are all necessary and not "a heart attack waiting to happen" unless you already have issues with these things. But it's very easy to keep an eye on how much of these things you are consuming and make fast food part of your regular diet if you wish.
I personally prefer to make my own stuff out of higher quality ingredients but sometimes I've got an itch that only Taco Bell will scratch and I just make sure I can fit that Doritos Taco Loco into my calories/macros for the day and have at it.
Nothing is off limits - just pay attention to what you're doing.0 -
i eat subway most days because it's healthier than other places and it's portion controlled. as a result, i've maintained my weight loss pretty well. some people prefer to cook every meal; i'm ok with that, too. i think it's all about nutrients, and nutrients don't know where you bought them.
that being said, if you get burgers and fries twice a day, you're likely to be less healthy.0 -
i eat subway most days because it's healthier than other places and it's portion controlled. as a result, i've maintained my weight loss pretty well. some people prefer to cook every meal; i'm ok with that, too. i think it's all about nutrients, and nutrients don't know where you bought them.
that being said, if you get burgers and fries twice a day, you're likely to be less healthy.
Look up the nutritional facts about Subway. It might surprise you to learn that what they market as "healthy", really isn't. HOWEVER, you are right that it's healthier than other places.
I have my students doing a fast food restaurant research project where they are comparing all these things. It's been eye opening for MANY of them, and they're in 6th grade.0 -
i eat subway most days because it's healthier than other places and it's portion controlled. as a result, i've maintained my weight loss pretty well. some people prefer to cook every meal; i'm ok with that, too. i think it's all about nutrients, and nutrients don't know where you bought them.
that being said, if you get burgers and fries twice a day, you're likely to be less healthy.
Look up the nutritional facts about Subway. It might surprise you to learn that what they market as "healthy", really isn't. HOWEVER, you are right that it's healthier than other places.
I have my students doing a fast food restaurant research project where they are comparing all these things. It's been eye opening for MANY of them, and they're in 6th grade.
So you're spreading propaganda in school? Public school?0 -
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Yeah it probally is but why do we tend to think it is the worst thing in the world if it was so bad then why don't we shut it down ever ask that question, but we still should not eat too much of it but alittle should be good because at least we are getting in our daily protein and calories. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
"We" don't shut it down because that would be nannyism to the extreme. Besides, everything in moderation.0 -
Fast food is really bad for you. Not a lot of vitamins, not a lot of variety. High in fats. Mcdonalds has started putting the calories of all their foods on the menu so you can see it when you order. It makes me realize that even a kid's meal has 600 calories. (But does the kids meal come close to filling you up?) Six hundred calories is half of many kids caloric intake. Should that be mostly sugar and fat? Then why not shut down all fast food restaurants? Why not shut down alcohol, cigarrettes, and anything else that can harm a body? We are expected as adults to use our own judgement and make our own choices. I really don't want the government telling me what I can and can't eat.0
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i eat subway most days because it's healthier than other places and it's portion controlled. as a result, i've maintained my weight loss pretty well. some people prefer to cook every meal; i'm ok with that, too. i think it's all about nutrients, and nutrients don't know where you bought them.
that being said, if you get burgers and fries twice a day, you're likely to be less healthy.
Look up the nutritional facts about Subway. It might surprise you to learn that what they market as "healthy", really isn't. HOWEVER, you are right that it's healthier than other places.
I have my students doing a fast food restaurant research project where they are comparing all these things. It's been eye opening for MANY of them, and they're in 6th grade.
So you're spreading propaganda in school? Public school?
I work in a private school AND it's not propaganda, it's called "health" and "nutrition". With a lot of common sense, truth and realism thrown in for good measure.0 -
So you're pushing your own personal views of health and nutrition. At least it's not public school, so there's no accountability or teaching credentials required for any curriculum tought there. It really sounds like you're on a personal vendetta against food. There is no bad food.
I understand you may mean right, but teaching people that "fast food is bad" is just a villification of food. You're implanting obtuse ideas into very impressionable minds. Taking a polar extreme isn't helpful to anyone. Like I said, it's private school so no vetting of curriculum is required and they're paying to be there, so good luck to them.
You may want to update your knowledge base regarding sugar, fats, & sodium. It seems very outdated. I only point those out because I see you preaching against them daily in the forums. All are required and none are in herently bad. You can get just as obese, unhealthy, and at risk for whatever medical conditions you want to point out by eating only 100% of whatever it is you consider "healthy".0 -
Fast food is really bad for you. Not a lot of vitamins, not a lot of variety. High in fats. Mcdonalds has started putting the calories of all their foods on the menu so you can see it when you order. It makes me realize that even a kid's meal has 600 calories. (But does the kids meal come close to filling you up?) Six hundred calories is half of many kids caloric intake. Should that be mostly sugar and fat? Then why not shut down all fast food restaurants? Why not shut down alcohol, cigarrettes, and anything else that can harm a body? We are expected as adults to use our own judgement and make our own choices. I really don't want the government telling me what I can and can't eat.
Fats are not bad for you. Fats are a necessary part of your diet. Even saturated fat is not bad for you.
If it meets your caloric and macronutrient goals then you aren't hurting anything. If it doesn't or you can't make it fit then skip it but everyone has different requirements for those things. My fat macro goal is a minimum that I try to hit each day. If I go over then that's fine with me.0 -
We can't shut it down because it provides funding...............
And it's bad because it has no NUTRIENTS. Fast food is not real food, which leaves you hungry, and wanting MORE MORE MORE.0 -
Money.
It's never going to be shut down.0 -
Let's see... by this logic... Cigarettes must be pretty good for you too. I mean, they wouldn't let the companies sell it if it was **so** bad right? Come on, man. This is America. We thrive on *kitten* that's bad for us.... that's why we're fat. I use *we* losely because I don't eat fast food or smoke.. but you know.
I just posted something about this on Facebook. Do you even look at the nutritional facts?
For the new Chick-Fil-A Grilled Market Salad (as they serve it with the nuts, granola and vinagrette): 550 Calories, 34g Fat, 5g Saturated Fat, 0g Trans Fat, 70mg Cholesterol, 1175mg Sodium, 40g Carbohydrates, 6g Fiber, 27g Sugar; 28g Protein. Now, personally... in my diary that is HALF of my daily sodium and ALL of my daily sugar. IN A SALAD.0 -
Congrats OP! Your first posted topic and I'm feeling this is a good one for a least 8-9 pages. :laugh:0
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No food is inherently bad or good. Eat it. You can achieve your goals with it.
I believe the man who showed me the ways of Pop Tart ice cream sammiches.0 -
Yeah it probally is but why do we tend to think it is the worst thing in the world if it was so bad then why don't we shut it down ever ask that question, but we still should not eat too much of it but alittle should be good because at least we are getting in our daily protein and calories. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
what?!
lmao... my thoughts exactly.... think I need another cup of coffee to decipher this information...
umm I think I need the Rosetta stone to translate this...0 -
I think it depends quite a bit on the particular foods themselves. As some others have pointed out, one plus about the larger fast food chains is the easy access to nutritional information online.
For example, consider Wendy's: I could enjoy a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger Deluxe with 7g saturated fat and 350 calories -- and that's including mayo, which they'll gladly omit if you request it. A much worse choice would be a Baconator with 23g saturated fat and 970 calories -- that's too much for a single meal on most reasonable diets. Instead of fries as a side, a small chilli without cheese added is only 180 calories with a nice 4g of fiber. At McDonald's, I can get a classic grilled chicken sandwich, no mayo, with only 1g saturated fat and 300 calories with 3g of fiber.
Unfortunately, as with most processed and/or prepared foods, sodium levels are quite high with fast food, so it's best not to eat it very regularly, even if you can fit the calories and fat into your program.
How dare you hate on my uncle...the baconator...true story there...0 -
Congrats OP! Your first posted topic and I'm feeling this is a good one for a least 8-9 pages. :laugh:
im in for the show!0 -
Do you really want to put this in your body?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/05/mcdonalds-happy-meal-photos-6-months_n_761364.html#s155972
Eat for your health, not just the number on the scale.0 -
The nasty part of fast food is what they put in it.0
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Look up the nutritional facts about Subway. It might surprise you to learn that what they market as "healthy", really isn't. HOWEVER, you are right that it's healthier than other places.
I have my students doing a fast food restaurant research project where they are comparing all these things. It's been eye opening for MANY of them, and they're in 6th grade.
I think that teaching young people the importance of balanced nutrition is a good thing, however I would argue that the best way to do this is to teach them about calorie balance, nutrient sufficiency, and moderation.
My problem with classification of foods as 'good' and 'bad' is that I don't really think it works. Even clean foods can be consumed to excess. Look at something like Atkin's, if you go out and eat 10 burgers, hold the buns, that's still a problem.
At the risk of this getting into an argument about something that's wholly unrelated, I see a lot of similarities between the vilification of certain foods and abstinence-based sex education.0 -
Let's see... by this logic... Cigarettes must be pretty good for you too. I mean, they wouldn't let the companies sell it if it was **so** bad right? Come on, man. This is America. We thrive on *kitten* that's bad for us.... that's why we're fat. I use *we* losely because I don't eat fast food or smoke.. but you know.
I just posted something about this on Facebook. Do you even look at the nutritional facts?
For the new Chick-Fil-A Grilled Market Salad (as they serve it with the nuts, granola and vinagrette): 550 Calories, 34g Fat, 5g Saturated Fat, 0g Trans Fat, 70mg Cholesterol, 1175mg Sodium, 40g Carbohydrates, 6g Fiber, 27g Sugar; 28g Protein. Now, personally... in my diary that is HALF of my daily sodium and ALL of my daily sugar. IN A SALAD.
Looks pretty good. A little less than 1/5 of my daily calories, almost halfway to my daily fat minimum, I could go for more protein but that's not too bad for a salad, and I don't track sodium so give zero ****s about that.0 -
Look up the nutritional facts about Subway. It might surprise you to learn that what they market as "healthy", really isn't. HOWEVER, you are right that it's healthier than other places.
I have my students doing a fast food restaurant research project where they are comparing all these things. It's been eye opening for MANY of them, and they're in 6th grade.
I think that teaching young people the importance of balanced nutrition is a good thing, however I would argue that the best way to do this is to teach them about calorie balance, nutrient sufficiency, and moderation.
My problem with classification of foods as 'good' and 'bad' is that I don't really think it works. Even clean foods can be consumed to excess. Look at something like Atkin's, if you go out and eat 10 burgers, hold the buns, that's still a problem.
At the risk of this getting into an argument about something that's wholly unrelated, I see a lot of similarities between the vilification of certain foods and abstinence-based sex education.
Werd0 -
It's not good at all. Just 1 item at a fast food joint can have a full days worth of calories. It all depends what you order I suppose, but even the so called healthy stuff at fast food places probably really ain't healthy at all.
Most people think just because it fits into your calorie day that its ok. Well that's not true because look at the other stuff involved. It's not just calories, it's the fat, sugars & sodium. It's all sky high.
I would suggest if you have to eat fast food, stick with subway, but even subway is high in sodium.
Again, if you want fast food, I guess as long as you have control and use moderation, you will be ok. But every day, no good!
Besides you never really know if the online nutrition facts on fast food is correct. One day it might be 1000 calories for your sandwich then tomorrow it be 1500 calories. Different people, different cooks & not all always follow the serving amount.
Best to just make your own food. In my opinion.
And I use to eat fast food all the time. But I didn't have good control over my eating habits. Now that I'm trying harder, I don't eat fast food at all. I sure miss it, but it's not the healthiest choice for anyone, skinny or large.0 -
If it fits into your Macros (watch that sodium!) and wont mean starving yourself for the rest of the day..I'd say go for it
I eat fast food about once a week...High in fat and sodium though so that means oatmeal and smoothies for dinner lol0 -
Yeah it probally is but why do we tend to think it is the worst thing in the world if it was so bad then why don't we shut it down ever ask that question, but we still should not eat too much of it but alittle should be good because at least we are getting in our daily protein and calories. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Other than the added sugar, excessive salt, bad fats and preservatives, no. If you don't mind all of that, it's one way of tying on the feed bag, I suppose. :ohwell:0 -
It's not good at all. Just 1 item at a fast food joint can have a full days worth of calories. It all depends what you order I suppose, but even the so called healthy stuff at fast food places probably really ain't healthy at all.
Most people think just because it fits into your calorie day that its ok. Well that's not true because look at the other stuff involved. It's not just calories, it's the fat, sugars & sodium. It's all sky high.
I would suggest if you have to eat fast food, stick with subway, but even subway is high in sodium.
Again, if you want fast food, I guess as long as you have control and use moderation, you will be ok. But every day, no good!
Besides you never really know if the online nutrition facts on fast food is correct. One day it might be 1000 calories for your sandwich then tomorrow it be 1500 calories. Different people, different cooks & not all always follow the serving amount.
Best to just make your own food. In my opinion.
And I use to eat fast food all the time. But I didn't have good control over my eating habits. Now that I'm trying harder, I don't eat fast food at all. I sure miss it, but it's not the healthiest choice for anyone, skinny or large.
Unless you have a medical issue that requires you to watch your sodium and sugar the amounts in fast food are irrelevant.
Most fast food joints are very big on portion control. Their costs are based on uniformity of servings so unless you're buddies with the guy making your burger you aren't likely to get anything extra. Fast food places aren't big on promoting chef creativity.
I won't argue your statement that it's better to make your own food because I think it is - and not just for the nutritional control, but like I said before, when you're really wanting a Doritos Taco Loco nothing else will do.0 -
In the context of an otherwise nutrient sufficient diet, yes it is.Most people think just because it fits into your calorie day that its ok. Well that's not true because look at the other stuff involved. It's not just calories, it's the fat, sugars & sodium. It's all sky high.
I would suggest if you have to eat fast food, stick with subway, but even subway is high in sodium.
Again, if you want fast food, I guess as long as you have control and use moderation, you will be ok. But every day, no good!
I'd be willing to bet that for the vast majority of people, calorie 'estimations' for home-cooked meals are more inaccurate than those provided by fast food companies. That's because portion control for meals saves them money.Besides you never really know if the online nutrition facts on fast food is correct. One day it might be 1000 calories for your sandwich then tomorrow it be 1500 calories. Different people, different cooks & not all always follow the serving amount.
This is the best argument against fast food. The vast majority of people have a lot of difficulty exercising control with their meals, and if avoiding the food altogether is the only recourse, then of course do that. It's definitely not a necessity.And I use to eat fast food all the time. But I didn't have good control over my eating habits. Now that I'm trying harder, I don't eat fast food at all. I sure miss it, but it's not the healthiest choice for anyone, skinny or large.
Eat enough food to satisfy your nutrient requirements, if you have calories leftover spend them on whatever you wish.0 -
Look up the nutritional facts about Subway. It might surprise you to learn that what they market as "healthy", really isn't. HOWEVER, you are right that it's healthier than other places.
I have my students doing a fast food restaurant research project where they are comparing all these things. It's been eye opening for MANY of them, and they're in 6th grade.
I think that teaching young people the importance of balanced nutrition is a good thing, however I would argue that the best way to do this is to teach them about calorie balance, nutrient sufficiency, and moderation.
My problem with classification of foods as 'good' and 'bad' is that I don't really think it works. Even clean foods can be consumed to excess. Look at something like Atkin's, if you go out and eat 10 burgers, hold the buns, that's still a problem.
At the risk of this getting into an argument about something that's wholly unrelated, I see a lot of similarities between the vilification of certain foods and abstinence-based sex education.
Wut...??0 -
Do you really want to put this in your body?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/05/mcdonalds-happy-meal-photos-6-months_n_761364.html#s155972
Eat for your health, not just the number on the scale.
You know that was a hoax right?0
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