Fast-Food and Your Health
By Stephen R. Farris
Fast-food has been a growing industry since the 1950s. More and more people are eating on the go than ever before for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Studies have shown that fast-food is not exactly the nutritional food we should be consuming.
As a matter of fact, fast-food can be high in fat (not the good kind either), sodium, and other unhealthy ingredients, plus they're abnormally high in calories.
But there may be a small ray of good news when it comes to fast-food consumption, although you may have to do a little research if you want to both eat on the go and still patronize your favorite fast-food restaurant.
So what does your favorite fast-food restaurant have to offer when it comes to healthy eating? Check out a few where the homework has been done; write it down so you'll have it handy, then place your order the next time you visit their drive-thru.
Dunkin Donuts
Dunkin Donuts is one of the most popular restaurants known mostly for their variety of donuts, and fresh brewed coffee. But they also serve other breakfast offerings as well. If this happens to be your morning stop, try ordering their veggie egg white omelet. The veggies are good for you, as are the egg whites. It's topped with cheddar cheese and served up on a multigrain, thinly sliced bread. The best part is that it only has 290 calories and is high in protein (17 grams). The down-side, it also has 13 grams of fat, 27 grams of carbs, and 550 grams of sodium.
McDonalds
The home of the Golden Arches ranks as the world's largest fast-food chain and are famous for their burger offerings and chicken nuggets. McDonalds also offer breakfast items (usually different offerings in other countries). If you're looking for healthy and low-calorie, try ordering their Egg McMuffin minus the butter. The buttered version puts the breakfast sandwich over 300 calories, while ordering it without drops the calorie count to 280. The butterless version contains 17 grams of protein, yet is high in sodium (750 grams), has 11 grams of fat and 30 grams of carbs.
The Heavy
So here's the heavy -- or bottom line if you prefer -- for eating healthy at a fast-food restaurant. While most of the breakfast sandwich offerings can be gotten with lower calories, but high in sodium and other things, depending on the way you order it, your best option is to check out their oatmeal choices since these are both low in calories and low in sodium.
When you have questions about nutrition, talk with your local chiropractor. They not only provide pain relief for your back, neck, and joints, they are qualified in the areas of nutrition, fitness, and overall health.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Cypress, Tex.