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Fast food restaurants can be found in
every town and city in the world, with one in every other corner.
Whether people admit it or not, most urbanites survive on fast foods out
of necessity. After all, how many would actually bring home-cooked food
in a tiffin carrier to work? As such, fast foods form breakfast, lunch
even diner and supper for many city-slickers.
Unfortunately, fast foods are often
associated with unhealthy eating habits. It is a known fact that they
are high in fats, salt, cholesterol and sometimes MSG, in order to keep
the food tasting delicious. So what can you do if you would like to
practice a healthy lifestyle but cannot avoid taking fast foods?
Here is a guide to make the most out of
fast foods:
1) Have Variety
Choose different menus all the time so
that you get a balanced diet. For instance, if you had a hearty breakfast
at McDonalds, go for noodles, soup or something light during lunch.
2) Don't be Deceived
Think you are eating healthily by
having a salad or a pack of low-fat potato chips for lunch? Some foods
may be fattening by themselves. For example, 'low fat' potato chips may
be high in fat and may contribute to raising your cholesterol level,
because high-fat foods cause the formation of cholesterol in the body,
even if the food itself contains no cholesterol. In the same way, the
toppings to your salad or fillings in your sandwich may contain the same
amount of calories as having a full meat.
3) Downsize
Instead of the large sizes, opt for
regular or small. You will be surprised at how much difference it can
make to your overall calorie intake, as one piece of chicken less may
save you many more rounds of exercise to lose the excess calories.
4) Cook it Right
Whenever possible, opt for healthier
cooking method such as roasted or steamed instead of deep-fried. Somehow
it is easier to remember when cooking at home but the common sense seems
to fly out of the window when we are eating out!
5) Hidden Dangers
Before you congratulate yourself for
having a bowl of porridge while your friends order fried chicken, take a
closer look at what you are drinking. For some people, one large glass
of soft drink which equivalent of 300 calories is equivalent to an
entire meal. The sugars and calories in your drinks matter as much as
what you are eating!
6) Have lots of veggies
Vegetables are a good source of fiber,
nutrients and vitamins. However, if you are in a Western food joint,
stick to the greens and don't order extra fries as they are not
considered vegetables! French fries contain as much calories as a main
meal and not a 'side dish' as normally categorized.
Fast foods may not necessarily become
fat food if you make a conscious choice to eat healthily wherever you
are. The occasional treat is fine but too much of a good thing may lead
you to the emergency ward before your time!
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