Fast Food Chain Nutrition

In a 2004 study conducted at Children's Hospital Boston and published in "Lancelot Health Journal," participants who frequently ate fast food during a 15-year span gained 10 pounds more than those who did not, and were more than twice as likely to develop predictors of Type 2 diabetes. Despite the reality that many of their products lack good nutritious value, fast food companies continue to do brisk business. Some fast food chains offer healthier fare than others.

Healthiest Fast Food Chains

In 2009, "Health Magazine" surveyed the nation's top 100 fast food chains in search of the healthiest. It determined that the top five in terms of good nutritional value were Panera Bread, Jason's Deli, Au Bon Pain, Noodles Inc. and Corner Bakery Cafe.

To the surprise of "Health" editors, burger giant McDonald's managed to crack the top 10, thanks largely to its calorie-conscious chicken wraps and fruit and yogurt parfaits.

Health Risks

Eating fast food has long been tabbed as a poor choice for your health. Many of the items offered by such restaurants are packed with calories and fat, with some "combo meals" surpassing the suggested intake of each for an entire day.

Excess calorie intake can lead to obesity, which has been linked to a variety of illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. The same goes for the large amounts of saturated fats contained in most fast food burgers and many other items. Saturated fats have been linked to cancer as well.

And many of the items also come with excessive amounts of sodium, which leads to water retention and has been linked to hypertension and diabetes.

French Fries

Along with hamburgers, french fries are a staple of American fast food fare. It's no secret that the combination of their deep-friend preparation and the massive amounts of carbohydrates in potatoes make them anything but a health food. But a study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that their nutrition values varied widely depending upon the restaurant.

Specifically, it found that independent fast food joints served healthier fries because only 20 percent of them cook fries in corn oil, where as 70 percent of major chains do. Corn oil is chock full of saturated fats.

Healthier Options

As scientific data and reports dealing with health, nutrition and disease have become more prevalent, many fast food chains have added lighter items to their menus and lessened the fat and caloric content of existing items.

The Arby's Light Roast Turkey Deluxe, for instance, has just 260 calories and 5 g of fat. Burger King's Chunky Chicken Salad checks in at a modest 142 calories 4 grams of fat. Dominoes' hand-tossed 12-inch cheese pizza contains a surprisingly low 375 calories and 11 grams of fat. And a plain McDonald's hamburger contains 280 calories and 10 grams of fat.

Nutrition Information

Whereas it used to be a guessing game trying to determine the nutritional value -- or lack thereof -- of items on the menu at your favorite fast food joint, such information is now easily attained. A federal healthcare bill passed in 2010 required all such restaurants that have at least 20 locations to prominently display the values of all items on their menus.

Thus, when you go to a fast food restaurant, understanding potential health and weight risks as simple as looking at the wall.