From a nutritional point of view, fast food doesn't have too much going for it. After all your typical fast food meal seems loaded with the wrong type of fat, salt, sugar as well as being deficient in those things that make up good nutrition, namely fibre, vitamins and minerals. So is healthy eating possible at a fast food outlet?
Aware of the criticisms levelled against them, the big fast food chains have come back with a healthy image by offering alternative menu choices for the health-conscious. These can include salads, grilled items and light meals.
Salads are a good choice in fast food restaurants. But check out the salad ingredients. Iceberg lettuce for example is almost all water. And remember that some salad dressings are very high in fat and sugar.
Also grilled foods are healthier than fried. Grilled foods are cooked in their own juices rather than fried in fat or oil. So they both keep their own goodness in the form of juices, and don't absorb any extra fat or oil.
One thing to bear in mind is that even low fat meals are no necessarily nutritious. For one thing, they may be high in sodium which can lead to high blood pressure. And the cooking method influences the nutrient content of food. Deep frying, for example, drastically reduces the vitamin content of foods. And don't forget that fries and desserts are big calorie carriers.
To make sure you get the healthiest meals possible, check out the nutritional profiles of the foods at your favourite fast food restaurant. Many of them now post this information on your websites. If you bone up on nutrition, you'll be able to make an informed choice that can have far-reaching effects on your health.