We all want to eat healthier and live better, and with all the information out there, it’s now easier than ever to find a diet for you, nutritional facts, and health benefits of what we eat. There’s a lot of untrustworthy information too, so you should probably stick to proper health sources before changing your diet.
Nutritionists, certified medics, we mean, and not only health coaches, are the single most reliable source for dietary advice. And the best way to learn from them is by watching what they eat. Here are the 9 foods nutritionists never order at fast-food restaurants, there’s something to learn here, so take notes!
Here’s an important note. Fast food is not healthy. Not one single item is better than a home-cooked meal or food made by conscious chefs at a proper restaurant. Enjoy fast food once in a while, but don’t overdo it.
#9 – Say no to over-sizing
The one thing all nutritionists agreed on, is that supersizing your fast food meal doubles the potential health problems from the processed food, it’s that simple.
It might just seem like a few more ounces of soda and an extra fistful of fries, but the extra portions can bring to an already high 2000 calorie meal, 500 more, and all that excess energy goes to your tummy as belly fat.
#8 – Ditch the fries
French fries are yummy, sure, but they’re terrible for you for many reasons.
For starters, they’re deep fried, often in used oil, that’s too many trans fats for your system. Second, they’re all starch and no nutrients, which means your body has no other use for them than turning them into fat.
#7 – Diet soda or nothing at all
A burger or pizza slice have nothing wrong and could perfectly fit your diet, still meeting your nutritional and weight goals, but fries and also soda can unbalance your meal fast.
A giant burger and fries have lots of caloric content, yes, now add 16 ounces of sugary soda, and you’re in trouble. Diet sodas have no caloric content and will quench your thirst just fine.
#6 – Two patties are more than enough
Eating protein is vital to stay healthy, and beef proteins are quite good in moderation. Good food turns bad when we abuse it, like when we order a four-patty burger, what’s that all about?
Stick to a maximum of two small meat patties or a large one, and you’ll be safe.
#5 – Forget about desserts
If fast food is unhealthy, their desserts are even more. Here’s the thing, they’re loaded with sugar, artificial coloring, and flavorings, and they’re not even fresh, ever.
Besides, if you’re already treating yourself with a cheat meal, you should at least avoid dessert. A piece of pie or a chocolate fudge sundae can have as many calories as the quarter pounder you just ate.
#4 – Fast-food salads are tricky
Salads in fast food restaurants are not fresh; they come in enormous bags. Although these salads are not entirely unhealthy, the dressings they come with are. Trans fat, MSG, sodium, you name it. The worst part is that you think you’re eating healthy when you’re not.
Salads are overpriced, by the way, if you needed another reason to order something else.
#3 – Pan pizza is a big no-no
Unless you’re in Chicago, where enjoying a deep-dish pizza is a must (once in a while), doughty pizzas are more bread than toppings, which means you’re eating too many simple carbs.
Unless you’re planning on running a marathon, all these extra calories will end up as body fat. Pizza is quite healthy as long as it’s traditionally thin, and you don’t eat more than a few slices.
#2 – Milkshakes, they’re too much
Trans fat, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, thickeners, starch, and loads of sugar, do we have to say more? We know, fast-food milkshakes are tasty, but they’re far from what a milkshake should be — milk and ice cream. Please stay clear of them and live longer, how does that sound to you?
#1 – Frappuccinos, too sweet for you
Coffee shops are lovely places; we can’t argue there’s art behind roasting coffee beans and crafting the perfect cup of coffee.
Sugary, whipped-cream frappuccinos, though, should not even be called coffee. Although highly Instagrammable, they’re unhealthy and have more calories than you could ever imagine.
Fast food is not the enemy
Fast food exists for a reason, it’s cheap and convenient; and you know something? It’s not that bad as long as you don’t depend on it.
It all comes to living a balanced, healthy life, eating home-cooked meals, and treating yourself with pizza, a burger or fried chicken once in a while; it’s OK.
When in doubt, do what your nutritionist would do, or better yet, give him or her a call.
