Monday, June 8, 2009

Fast Food That's Good for the Heart

By Keira Adams

A lot of individuals eat on the run in today's fast-paced society. Eating at home is generally healthier than restaurant fare. However, you can still make healthy choices when you're eating fast food. Here are some rules of thumb you should follow as you're perusing the fast food menu.

Most fast food restaurants are conscious of the reputation their food has for clogging arteries. In response, they now offer a number of menu selections that are a lot healthier. For instance, many fast food chains now have salads on the menu. But be careful that you don't load up on dressing that's full of saturated fat. Salads that are garnished with deep fried chicken aren't as heart healthy as the ones containing grilled chicken.

For your sandwich, opt for grilled chicken over fried. Also, asking for lots of veggies on your sandwich is always a good idea. Go for dressings like mustard or ketchup instead of mayonnaise, which is high in saturated fat.

Choose fruit or salad as a side dish rather than fries. This way your lunch will be higher in fiber and vitamins and lower in saturated fat. Rather than asking for a soda to wash down your food, choose juice or milk. This will assist in keeping your blood sugar stable and will boost your intake of vitamins and minerals.

When you're truly craving a hamburger and fries, it's ok to give in once in a while. But be aware of the portion size you're ordering. A number of fast food establishments give you portion sizes that are enough for a couple of meals. Choosing a kid's meal or a small burger with french fries will help to hold down the amount of saturated fat you consume.

When making fast food choices for your children, keep in mind that there are now a variety of healthier selections like apple or orange slices. Instead of soda, order milk or fruit juice.

In fast food Mexican eateries, a simple burrito or taco could actually be quite healthful. Be sure to pile on lots of vegetables in order to up the fiber content. You might think a taco salad is a good choice, but frequently it's high in calories as well as saturated fat.

If you're always eating on the run, it's important to choose the most healthful options on the menu, or your heart might suffer for it. Your best option is to eat at home. However, if that's not feasible, why not try the "better for you" choices that are out there.

About the Author:

No comments: