HealthyLife Articles

Tag: hidden calories

  • The Truth About Fast Food

    HEALTHY EATING

    Burger with french fries and fire.

    When life gets busy, it’s tempting to reach for the convenience of traditional fast food options. Just as the name says, it’s fast and is found pretty much everywhere. However, these types of food come with real downsides.

    Many traditional fast food options do not provide quality nutrition and may even be harmful to your health.

    Why we eat fast food

    A few common reasons people choose fast food include:

    *Lack of time:Long work hours and packed extracurricular schedules leave little time for home-cooked meals.

    *Convenience:Adults with little free time or few cooking skills may prefer the ease of ready-to-eat food.

    *Food environment:Some communities lack adequate access to grocery stores that carry fresh, whole food. Fast food may be all that is available nearby.

    *Financial resources:Fast food is more expensive than food prepared at home. As income goes up, the use of fast food tends to increase as well.

    Health impact of fast food

    An occasional fast food meal isn’t a problem for most people. However, regular consumption carries several health risks:

    *  Fast food is high in fat, saturated fat, salt, sugar, and calories.

    *  Portion sizes are often very large.

    *  Fast food restaurants rely on highly processed food ingredients and offer few fresh fruits and vegetables.

    Diets high in processed food, fat, calories, sugar, and salt may increase your risk of many chronic diseases, including:

    *  Obesity

    *  High blood pressure

    *  Heart disease

    *  Type 2 diabetes

    *  Cancer

    Better options

    If you find yourself stuck choosing fast food, try some of these better options when you order:

    *  Opt for broth soups and salads.

    *  Choose low-fat dressings on the side.

    *  Look for whole-grain bread or bagels instead of croissants or biscuits.

    *  Get the regular or junior size to avoid excessive portions.

    *  Order the single patty without bacon or cheese. Ask for extra lettuce and tomato.

    *  Skip the soda and lemonade. Choose plain or sparkling water.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Menu Secrets

    HEALTHY EATING

    Image of women at a resturant talking to the waitor about the menu.

    When dining out, two things that affect your menu choices the most are what you see on the menu and how you imagine it will taste.

    But what you order may have less to do with what you want and more to do with a menu’s layout and descriptions, according to a Cornell study in the International Journal of Hospitality Management.

    First,any food item that attracts attention (with bold, highlighted or colored font or set apart in a text box) makes us more likely to order that food item rather than the item listed next to it. “In most cases, these are the least healthy items on the menu,” said lead author, Brian Wansink, author of Slim by Design: Mindless Eating Solutions for Everyday Life.

    Second,menu names with descriptive items sell better and lead you to believe that they taste better. The researchers cite a study where they changed the names of restaurant menu items to make them more descriptive; the seafood filet became Succulent Italian Seafood Filet and red beans and rice became Cajun Red Beans and Rice. Sales of these items went up by 28%, and they were rated as tastier, even though the recipe was identical. Diners were also willing to pay an average of 12% more money for a menu item with a descriptive name.

    The best solutionto healthier restaurant dining may be an easy one. “Just ask your server,” said Wansink, “Ask, ‘What are your two or three lighter  entrées that get the most compliments?’ or ‘What’s the best thing on the menu if a person wants a light dinner?’”

    Eating Out Tip

    Before you choose restaurants, check out their websites. Read menu options and nutrition information, if provided, to help you make healthy choices. When you are at a restaurant, ask if you can make healthier substitutes, such as having a vegetable in place of French fries.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine