Introduction
If you’re trying to eat healthier, you may think that fast food is off the menu. But many fast-food restaurants now offer healthier options that can fit into a balanced diet. However, it’s important to be aware that some of these “healthy” options may not be as healthy as they seem. This article will look at some of the most popular “healthy” fast-food favorites and reveal how much saltier and fattier they are than you might think. So if you’re looking to make healthier choices when it comes to fast food, read on to find out which options you should be avoiding.
These ‘Healthy’ Fast-Food Favorites Are Actually Much Saltier and Fattier — Eat This Not That
When you’re on the go and need a quick meal, fast food can seem like the only option. But if you’re trying to make healthier choices, you may be tempted to opt for the “healthier” options on the menu. Unfortunately, many of these “healthy” fast-food favorites are actually much saltier and fattier than you might think. Here are some of the worst offenders and what you should eat instead.
McDonald’s Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad
This salad may seem like a healthy option, but it’s actually loaded with sodium and fat. The salad contains a whopping 1,130 milligrams of sodium and 28 grams of fat. To put that into perspective, the American Heart Association recommends that adults consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. And the American Heart Association also recommends that adults consume no more than 25 to 35 percent of their daily calories from fat.
Eat This Instead:
If you’re looking for a healthier option at McDonald’s, opt for the grilled chicken snack wrap. It contains only 360 milligrams of sodium and 8 grams of fat. It’s also a good source of protein, with 18 grams per serving.
Taco Bell’s Fresco Crunchy Taco
This taco may seem like a healthier option, but it’s actually quite high in sodium and fat. The taco contains a whopping 500 milligrams of sodium and 12 grams of fat. That’s more than half of the recommended daily sodium intake and more than a third of the recommended daily fat intake.
Eat This Instead:
If you’re looking for a healthier option at Taco Bell, opt for the Fresco Soft Taco. It contains only 170 milligrams of sodium and 4.5 grams of fat. It’s also a good source of protein, with 8 grams per serving.
Burger King’s Veggie Burger
This veggie burger may seem like a healthier option, but it’s actually quite high in sodium and fat. The burger contains a whopping 890 milligrams of sodium and 17 grams of fat. That’s more than half of the recommended daily sodium intake and more than a third of the recommended daily fat intake.
Eat This Instead:
If you’re looking for a healthier option at Burger King, opt for the BK Veggie Burger. It contains only 380 milligrams of sodium and 6 grams of fat. It’s also a good source of protein, with 15 grams per serving.
When you’re on the go and need a quick meal, fast food can seem like the only option. But if you’re trying to make healthier choices, it’s important to be aware of the hidden salt and fat in some of the “healthier” options. By avoiding these high-sodium and high-fat options, you can make healthier choices and still enjoy a quick meal.
When you think of the words “plant-based,” you probably think that these food items would be healthier than their meaty counterparts.
However, a recent analysis by Daily Mail shows that isn’t the case at all.
Looking at items sold at popular chains with plant-based options such as McDonald’s, KFC, Subway, and Burger King, Daily Mail found that these options are saltier, more sugar-laden, and fattier than their traditional counterparts.
In fact, plant-based burger options contained up to a third more salt, 20% more sugar, and 60% more fat than the meaty originals.
Related: 8 Worst Fast-Food Burgers to Stay Away From Right Now
Burger King’s plant-based Whopper contained 22% more salt and 20% more sugar than its traditional beef burger. Both Burger King and KFC’s meat-free sandwiches contain half of the daily recommended salt intake for adults.
Professor Gunter Kuhnle, an expert in nutrition and food science at the University of Reading, told the UK-based news outlet the “big problem” when making plant-based food is creating a comparable taste to the original version, which is why companies add a ton of salt and fat.
“Most foods are made in a way that the consumer likes them–and these plant-based foods are no exception and they should not be seen as some kind of health food,” Kuhnle told Daily Mail. “People who want to follow a vegetarian (or vegan) diet for health reasons should really look carefully at their diet–also to make sure that they avoid deficiencies. Those who want to enjoy it should do so without worrying.”
Eat This, Not That! recently spoke with Amy Goodson, Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, to see how you can enjoy a burger without setting you back a whole day’s worth of calories.
“While a hamburger can fit into a healthy diet, many fast-food chains have taken the concept of ‘burger’ over the edge by increasing the portions sizes and piling on high-calorie additions like bacon and creamy sauces,” says Goodson, a registered dietitian and certified specialist in sports dietetics.
A burger can actually be made much healthier with a few simple tweaks at home. For example, choose a lean cut of beef for your patties—ideally 90% lean with 10% fat, she advises. “Lean ground beef is a nutrient-rich source of high-quality protein, providing you with ten essential nutrients,” says Goodson.
If you’re looking for a truly healthy plant-based alternative, check out the one vegan fast-food burger that beat out all the others.
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