Information Resources
By Evelyn Cunico, MA, MS/LIS
Health Science Communications
Posted March 29, 2023
Fast Food Choices
Eating fast food does not mean you have to settle for the foods that come with your meal or sandwich. Although fast food restaurant menus are designed for convenience, you can ask for healthier options, substitutions, and portions. You can choose.
Here are a few tips to help you to decide which foods to choose when you visit a fast food restaurant.
- In general, eat at places that offer salads, soups, and vegetables. Select low-fat salad dressings, or vinegar, or lemon juice.
- If a fast food restaurant offers hamburger sizes, choose the smallest size, or a single meat patty. Ask for extra lettuce and tomatoes.
- Develop a taste for a baked potato, instead of French fries. Or add a fruit bowl or a fruit and yogurt option.
- Make a habit to look for chicken, fish, or red meat that is baked, broiled, grilled, or roasted. Avoid meals that are breaded or fried.
- If the dish on the menu comes with a heavy sauce, ask for it on the side, so that you can choose to use just a small amount.
- When ordering pizza, ask for a vegetable pizza or a pizza with a thin crust.
- Select low-fat desserts or order a dessert and ask for a doggy bag to enjoy part of the dessert at home.
- Many beverages are high in calories. Instead of a regular soda, order water or unsweetened iced tea. Water without sweeteners quenches thirst.
Nutrition specialists at the National Library of Medicine suggest that your own food choices can teach your children, too, how they can learn to choose nutritious foods.
For more information, see the following Selected Information Resources.
Disclaimer: Information in this blog should not replace the medical advice of your doctor. You should not use this information to diagnose or to treat any disease or other health condition without first consulting with your medical doctor or other health care provider.
Selected Information Resources
American Academy of Family Physicians. Making Healthy Choices at Fast Food Restaurants
Summary Note: Learn how often to eat at a fast food chain. Be prepared to look for healthy food choices before you order at a fast food chain. For example, look at the menu at chains, such as Burger chains, Chinese chains, Fried Chicken chains, Italian chains, Mexican chains, and Sandwich chains.
(Accessed 2023 March 25)
Mayo Clinic. Healthy Lifestyle. Nutrition and Healthy Eating. Fast Food: Tips for Choosing Healthier Options
Summary Note: Make a decision before you enter a fast food restaurant that you will order only healthy foods when you are in the restaurant. Consider food portion sizes and nutritious choices.
(Accessed 2023 March 25)
National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus. Encyclopedia. Calorie Count – Fast Food
Summary Note: Browse a list of fast food items, their serving sizes, and the number of calories of each item. Categories include the names of fast food chains and the types of foods, such as Breakfast foods, Burgers, wraps, and sandwiches, Chicken, Tex-Mex, and Pizza.
(Accessed 2023 March 25)
National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus. Encyclopedia. Fast Food Tips. Can You Eat Fast Food?
Summary Note: Cautions that in general, persons with diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure must be very careful about eating fast food. Offers tips for when you go to a fast food restaurant.
(Accessed 2023 March 25)
National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus. Nutrition
Summary Note: MedlinePlus Home Page on Nutrition includes a section entitled, The Keys to a Healthy Eating Plan. In the section entitled, Related Issues, includes links to information about Fast Food choices.
(Accessed 2023 March 25)
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