Healthy Dieting

Healthy Dieting and Fast Food

Most national fast food chains post the nutritional content of their menu selections on their official websites. Check out their sites and make a mental note of the less fatty, lower-calorie choices. You don't have to give up fast food completely if you are dieting; there are some things you can do to incorporate fast food into a healthy diet. Be smart about it and only have it once a week, and be thoughtful with your choices. Avoid the soda--even diet soda seems to increase your appetite. Instead, ask for water.

Some Sample Fast Food Answers

A Burger King Double Whopper with cheese and mayo has 1,010 calories and 67 g of fat, while a Whopper Junior sandwich without mayo has 320 calories and only 15 g of fat. Your best choice at Burger King would be the Broiler chicken sandwich without mayo--weighing in at 370 calories and 9 g of fat. The calories are slightly higher than the Whopper Junior, but you'll be getting a larger serving of food--a better bang for your calorie buck.

McDonald's Big Mac with cheese has a whopping 810 calories and 55 g of fat. Try out a 6-piece chicken McNugget for only 290 calories and 17 g of fat, or even better, order up a Chicken McGrill without mayo for 340 calories and 7 g of fat--not bad!

Wendy's Big Bacon Classic burger will cost you 580 calories and 30 g of fat, while their plain single burger is only 360 calories and 16 g of fat--roughly half! Really need to be good? Try the grilled chicken without mayo for only 310 calories and 8 g of fat.

Taco Bell is often considered a healthier option for fast food. Here's how they stack up: Taco Bell taco salad in an edible shell is 850 calories and 52 g of fat--not much better than the Whopper! A supreme chicken burrito will weigh in at 430 calories and 18 g of fat, while a grilled chicken burrito is only 390 calories and 13 g of fat.

All in all, fast food is best added into your diet in moderation. Life is often so busy that fast food seems like the only option--try planning ahead, purchasing healthy, low-fat, low-calorie foods you can pack in advance if you'll be on the run. Choose wisely when you do eat out.

According to the American Dietetic Association, more than 350,000 fast food restaurants scatter the landscape between California and Maine. Chances are good that you're less than a few miles from one.