Fast food is convenient, filling, inexpensive and it tastes good to many people. Unfortunately, most of it is unhealthy. Fast food is typically low in nutrients but high in sodium, calories and saturated fat. Eaten on a regular basis, fast foods can cause obesity and serious health problems. Choosing a more nutritious, healthier fast food meal is challenging, but possible.
Best Pizza Choices
Just one personal PANoramous 9-inch meat lover's pizza at Pizza Hut packs in 1,470 calories, 3,760 g of sodium and 80 g of fat. A much better choice is three slices of the chain restaurant's Fit 'n Delicious 12-inch chicken, mushrooms and jalapeno pizza, which totals 340 calories, 1440 mg of sodium and 9 g of fat. Healthier choices available at most pizza restaurants include ordering thin crust, asking for half the cheese and doubling vegetable toppings, Helpguide.org recommends. Avoid extra cheese, thick, buttered or stuffed crusts and meat toppings such as pepperoni and sausage, which are filled with sodium and saturated fat.
Best Burger Restaurant Choices
It's possible to order a heart-healthy meal at a burger restaurant, the Cleveland Clinic says. Although most consider the beef to be the problem, the size of the burger, the toppings and the side dishes are the real unhealthy culprits. Choose a burger from the children's menu or choose a 3 to 4 oz. Patty. Avoid the special sauce, bacon and cheese. Instead, top your burger with mustard or ketchup. Instead of fries, order a plain baked-potato or side salad with low fat dressing, and water or skim milk instead of regular soda, which is high in calories and sugar.
Best Chinese Food Choices
Americanized Chinese food tends to be high in fat and calories. Avoid fried foods such as egg rolls, tempura, General Tso's chicken, sweet and sour pork and fried rice, Helpguide.org recommends. Instead, choose egg drop or miso soup, stir-fried, broiled or steamed entrees, such as shrimp chow mein or chop suey, steamed brown rice, low-sodium soy sauce and stir-fried vegetables.
Best Mexican Food Choices
Choose flour tortillas over fried corn tortillas and avoid cheese and sour cream, the Cleveland Clinic states. Salsa adds flavor and is low in calories. Healthier choices at a Mexican restaurant include veggie and bean burritos, grilled chicken, soft tacos and shrimp ensalada. Beans, rice, salsa and slices of fresh avocado make a healthy meal. Skip the tortilla chips, refried beans and nachos.
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