With so many people becoming concerned about improving their overall health, fast food restaurants have developed a variety of heart healthy menu items. Fast foods can now offer on-the-run nutrition and convenience. Many times, the menu item is marked as heart healthy and nutritious. Once you become an informed consumer, you can make better heart healthy food choices.
Fruit Items
Fruit is becoming a more popular menu item at a variety of fast food establishments. A fresh fruit and yogurt parfait, topped with granola is a good choice. There are also sliced apples you can enjoy (many times these are served with caramel). Another choice consists of a fresh fruit cup. Fresh fruit is considered a heart healthy food by the American Heart Association since it contains a wealth of antioxidants that can improve your cardiovascular health. Plus, many fruits contain soluble fiber. Apples are rich sources of soluble fiber states the Mayo Clinic. Soluble fiber is known for reducing harmful cholesterol levels.
Salads
Due to consumers wanting more health-conscious foods, a variety of fast food establishments offer salads. The Mayo Clinic recommends ordering a salad entree that includes grilled chicken breast, fish and/or shrimp. Other lean protein choices include ham, turkey breast and/or lean roast beef. Have the salad be your main dish. You need to be careful of the extras, however. According to the Cleveland Clinic, not all of the salad items are heart healthy. Stick with the basics such as lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers. The extras such as taco chips, bacon bits, cheese, croûtons and sour cream can add unnecessary calories and heart-harmful saturated fat.
For salad dressings, stick with fat-free versions or light, reduced fat varieties. These are lower in calories and fat than the traditional salad dressings that are loaded with saturated and/or trans fats. Instead of using packaged salad dressings, try squeezing a lemon on your salad greens.
Chicken Sandwiches
Chicken is classified as a lean protein by the American Heart Association. However, it must be prepared in what is known as a heart healthy manner in order to help you out. Grilling, roasting, baking and/or broiling are all considered heart healthy cooking methods. They are considered heart healthy since there are no additional oils used during the cooking process. No deep frying or harmful trans fats are involved in the preparation of these foods. Fast food restaurants offer a variety of these health-promoting sandwiches that can help you along your healthy eating journey states the Cleveland Clinic. If you do not see the terms grilled, baked or broiled on the menu item, ask your server to be certain. Make certain you do not eat the mayonnaise or other sauces/toppings that may come with the sandwich. Instead, order tomatoes and lettuce. Also, do not order your sandwiches with cheese on them says the Cleveland Clinic.
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