Fast Food, Healthy Heart

Many people are eating on the run in today's busy world. You're usually better off eating at home rather than dining in a restaurant. But it's still possible to make healthy selections if you have to eat fast food. Here are some rules of thumb you should follow as you’re perusing the fast food menu.

Most fast food restaurants are conscious of the reputation their food has for clogging arteries. To meet the challenge, they have introduced many food choices that are better for you. For instance, many fast food chains now have salads on the menu. Nevertheless, watch out for dressings that are loaded with saturated fat. And if your salad comes complete with deep fried chicken on top, you can be sure it's not as heart healthy as the one featuring grilled chicken.

For your sandwich, opt for grilled chicken over fried. And you can't go wrong by requesting extra vegetables on your sandwich. Rather than using mayonnaise for a dressing, choose ketchup or mustard, which are low in saturated fat.

When deciding on the side servings, select fruit or salad instead of fries. So instead of a lunch laden with saturated fat, you'll be feeding your body the fiber and vitamins it needs. You might also choose milk or juice over soda as a beverage with your meal. This can aid in maintaining normal blood sugar and give you additional vitamins and minerals.

It's alright to give in to the occasional craving for a hamburger and French fries. But be aware of the portion size you're ordering. Sometimes portion sizes at fast food franchises are so large they could easily feed two people. To reduce the amount of saturated fat in your meal, choose a small hamburger and small fries, or even a kid's meal.

When making fast food choices for your children, keep in mind that there are now a variety of healthier selections like apple or orange slices. You can also choose milk or juice rather than soda.

In a Mexican fast food place, you can eat surprisingly healthfully by choosing a simple taco or burrito. Make a point to add on as many veggies as you can to increase the fiber. You might think a taco salad is a good choice, but frequently it's high in calories as well as saturated fat.

If you mostly eat fast food, and you're not choosing the healthier menu options, you're putting your heart health at risk. Your best option is to eat at home. However, if that’s not feasible, why not try the "better for you" choices that are out there.