We live in a world where fast food outlets dominate every street corner. Its inescapable. The reason for this is, well, because fast food is relatively cheap, tasty and, well, fast. And so, many people nowadays fill their stomachs with such morsels.
Most, if not all nutritionists agree that fast food is bad for your health. Their views are backed by the results of many research studies. In fact, a recent study at the University of Michigan in the US, found that the risk of stroke increases with the number of fast-food restaurants in a neighborhood. While the study did not throw any additional light on the reasons behind this phenomena, it does suggest an association.
But even without these studies, we've already known since we were young that fast food isn't healthy. Parents repeatedly extoll that to their children. Teachers include that knowledge in educating their students at school. But we succumb to temptation from time to time because honestly, fast food does taste great.
So how can you negate the unhealthy effects of fast food then? Well, the bad news is that you can't. However, what you CAN do is try to make smart choices about what you put into your mouth. Here are a handful of tips on how you can do that:
1. Pay attention to your selections - If possible, opt for grilled items rather than deep-fried. Choose lean meat if possible and also items that have more vegetables.
Also, look at the amount of calories that each dish contains. Usually, potato-based items like french fries and also sweet things like ice cream contain many calories, and it would be wise to exclude them.
2. Drink plain water - Instead of gulping down that soft drink, try a little plain water or unsweetened ice tea. If it tastes bland, try adding a slice of lemon to the drink. One 32-oz sized cup of cola contains roughly 425 calories, as opposed to 0 calories were you to drink plain water.
3. Choose smaller portions - Just because you feel a craving for a burger doesn't mean you have to go for the full works.
4. Watch your salt levels - A diet high in sodium can lead to all sorts of nasty ailments. Ask for reduced salt on your french fries.
5. Make it special - People don't do this often enough. Ask for one less slice of cheese, less sauce or dressing and more vegetables when you're ordering. Although most cashiers aren't expecting such orders, that doesn't mean they can't accommodate it.
6. Throw out the sauce - Think that little packet of chili sauce or tomato ketchup is harmless? Think again. Going through the ingredient list, one usually finds that sugar and salt are primary ingredients of such sauces. If you can't go without, try to use less.
References:
http://esciencenews.com/articles/2009/02/19/number.fast.food.restaurants.neighborhood.
associated.with.stroke.risk
Most, if not all nutritionists agree that fast food is bad for your health. Their views are backed by the results of many research studies. In fact, a recent study at the University of Michigan in the US, found that the risk of stroke increases with the number of fast-food restaurants in a neighborhood. While the study did not throw any additional light on the reasons behind this phenomena, it does suggest an association.
But even without these studies, we've already known since we were young that fast food isn't healthy. Parents repeatedly extoll that to their children. Teachers include that knowledge in educating their students at school. But we succumb to temptation from time to time because honestly, fast food does taste great.
So how can you negate the unhealthy effects of fast food then? Well, the bad news is that you can't. However, what you CAN do is try to make smart choices about what you put into your mouth. Here are a handful of tips on how you can do that:
1. Pay attention to your selections - If possible, opt for grilled items rather than deep-fried. Choose lean meat if possible and also items that have more vegetables.
Also, look at the amount of calories that each dish contains. Usually, potato-based items like french fries and also sweet things like ice cream contain many calories, and it would be wise to exclude them.
2. Drink plain water - Instead of gulping down that soft drink, try a little plain water or unsweetened ice tea. If it tastes bland, try adding a slice of lemon to the drink. One 32-oz sized cup of cola contains roughly 425 calories, as opposed to 0 calories were you to drink plain water.
3. Choose smaller portions - Just because you feel a craving for a burger doesn't mean you have to go for the full works.
4. Watch your salt levels - A diet high in sodium can lead to all sorts of nasty ailments. Ask for reduced salt on your french fries.
5. Make it special - People don't do this often enough. Ask for one less slice of cheese, less sauce or dressing and more vegetables when you're ordering. Although most cashiers aren't expecting such orders, that doesn't mean they can't accommodate it.
6. Throw out the sauce - Think that little packet of chili sauce or tomato ketchup is harmless? Think again. Going through the ingredient list, one usually finds that sugar and salt are primary ingredients of such sauces. If you can't go without, try to use less.
References:
http://esciencenews.com/articles/2009/02/19/number.fast.food.restaurants.neighborhood.
associated.with.stroke.risk
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