If you've seen the movie Super Size Me, chances are, you may not have had a Big Mac since. In his 2004 documentary, Morgan Spurlock, inspired by troubling statistics on American obesity, relied on the shock value of a thirty-day McDonald's diet to show audiences what they already knew about fast food: that it's not healthy. But what remains is that many Americans-because of habitual, financial, or other reasons-still eat it.
Is there such thing as healthy fast food? Four years ago, a food company invented a way to cook low-fat fried foods by using a protein-based batter found in the muscles of discarded fish parts. Have the Burger Kings and Wendy's of the world implemented this technology? Well, not exactly. But that doesn't mean they haven't included healthier items to their menus. Here are 10 healthy suggestions.
1. Subway 6-Inch Veggie Delight. The commercials don't lie: it really does have less than 6 grams of fat. In fact, it only has 3, the least of any "6 grams of fat or less" option on the menu.
2. McDonald's Southwest Salad. This salad contains less than 140 calories and less than five grams of fat (as long as you don't include chicken or dressing.)
3. McDonald's Fruit 'n Yogurt Parfait (with granola). This may be the only healthy breakfast item you'll ever find at a fast food restaurant. It contains 15 percent of your daily vitamin C and calcium needs.
4. Wendy's Strawberry Yogurt Squeezerz. Gram for gram, this 70-calorie squeeze tube has fewer calories, less sugar, and more potassium than Dannon® Danimal Xtreme Berry Avalanche snack.
5. Wendy's Mandarin Oranges. This small cup of fruit contains 40 percent of your daily vitamin C needs.
6. Burger King Apple Fries. These skinless apple slices are cut like and served in the same container as French fries, so you may be able to fool your little one into thinking this snack is an indulgent treat. One order has just 25 calories.
7. Subway Fruizle Express - Sunrise Refresher. This flavor of Subway's popular fruit smoothies contains no fat, no cholesterol, is high in vitamin c, and is low in sodium.
8. Wendy's Ultimate Chicken Grill. Compared to the ones at Wendy's and Burger King, this sandwich has significantly less calories, fat, and sodium.
Is There Such a Thing as Healthy Fast Food?
By Nathan Schiller
Reviewed by QualityHealth's Medical Advisory Board
Updated: January 8, 2009
Related Health Centers
THE BASICS
DIETS A TO Z
RELATED HEALTH CENTERS
Explore Original Articles About...
Quick Links:
Health Centers:
ADD/ADHD
Allergies
Alzheimer's Disease
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Bipolar Disorder
Breast Cancer
Cancer
Caregiving
Children's
Cholesterol
Colds & Infections
COPD
Crohn's Disease
Dental & Vision
Depression
Diabetes
Diet & Weight Loss
Eating & Nutrition
Epilepsy
Erectile Dysfunction
Fitness & Exercise
Flu Treatment
Healthy Aging & Retirement
Heart Health
Heartburn & GERD
IBS
Incontinence
Men's Health
Meningitis
Menopause
Mental Health & Addiction
Migraines & Headaches
Multiple Sclerosis
Osteoporosis
Pain Management
Parkinson's Disease
Pregnancy
Relationships & Emotional Health
Sexual Health
Skin Care & Beauty
Sleep Management
Smoking Cessation
Stomach & Digestive
Women's Health
|
|