I am trying hard to watch sodium intake and some of these are amazing.
February 9, 2010 by Dr. Mark Wiley
Given our fast-paced, stressed-to-the-max lifestyle, it is no wonder that 25 percent of Americans eat at fast-food restaurants every day! That’s one in four people opting for low nutrition, high calorie, bad tasting, done-in-a-jiffy food. And it’s killing us.
Diseases like obesity, high blood pressure, fatty liver and high cholesterol are more prevalent in today’s high-tech health-conscience society than in the past, when we were ignorant about such things. And there’s truly no excuse for it!
One look at Eric Schlosser’s documentary, Fast Food Nation, tells the tale in all its devastating morbidity. Forget about E.coli and sub-standard working conditions and the tumors cut off the sides of beef before processing it for burgers done “your way.” Forget about the cheap toys restaurants like McDonald’s and Burger King use to attract the kids, and by extension the family, in for a potentially life-shortening meal.
Let’s talk good health and stick to the facts. In terms of food, that means keeping a tight leash on calories, fat, cholesterol and sodium. And if we Americans are too tied to our fatty burgers and deep fried chicken, or we’re just too pressed for time and money to make the necessary change… then at least we can face the enemy armed with the truth about our fast-food indulgence.
I was in the process of researching the nutritional facts from 12 of the more popular chains when a copy of Aramark Corporation’s “Guide to Fast Food” came across my desk. In this little gem I found the “tale of the tape” on 20 of the country’s most popular fast food chains. Starbucks, too! And if you think eating at Subway is good for you because of that guy from the commercial… think again. And if you think chicken served in these restaurants is a better choice than beef… you’ve been misled.
Of the 20 fast food restaurants listed in the guide I’ve culled information from 12, and I call them “The Dirty Dozen.” Below are some tables based on the information published by Aramark, as provided by the franchises themselves, or found on their websites. I call these tables, “The Worst of the Worst” (i.e., things never to eat), and “The Best of the Worst” (i.e., things almost never to eat). I then list the worst and best from the selected Dirty Dozen, in terms of overall numbers of calories, fat, cholesterol and sodium.
The Worst of the Worst
6" Subway Club, Cold
Taco Salad w/ Salsa
The Best of the Worst
Taco
The Worst and Best of the Worst Highest Calories 890 Pizza Hut—Medium Stuffed Crust Cheese Pizza (2 slices) Lowest Calories 35 Boston Market—Steamed Veggies Highest Carbohydrates (g) 0 Pizza Hut—Medium Cheese Stuffed-Crust Pizza (2 slices) Lowest Carbohydrates (g) 0 Boston Market—1/4 White Meat, No skin, Without Wing Highest Fat (g) 52 Taco Bell—Taco Salad w/ Salsa Lowest Fat (g) 0 Baskin Robbins—Ice Daiquiri, Regular Scoup Highest Cholesterol (mg) 250 Burger King—Croissan’wich w/ Sausage, Egg, Cheese Highest Cholesterol (mg) 250 McDonald’s—Biscuit w/ Bacon, Egg, Cheese Lowest Cholesterol (mg) 0 Plenty of items with no Cholesterol, such as plain baked potato, steamed veggies, salads without dressing, water Highest Sodium (mg) 2,180 Pizza Hut—Medium Stuffed Crust Cheese Pizza (2 slices) Lowest Sodium (mg) 10 Baskin Robbins—Ice Daiquiri, Regular Scoop
And the big looser is… Pizza Hut. It ranked No. 1 on three of the Worst of the Worst lists. And that’s no great achievement!
Ok, so now you know that what seemed “good” (e.g., chicken, turkey, fish) is actually bad when prepared the fast food way, in terms of calories, fat, carbohydrates, cholesterol and sodium content. And you also know that what these chains serve up as “good for you” food is as boring as a collection of ballpoint pen tops. But you’ve just got to eat fast food because time and money are rooting for the dark side. So where does that leave us…
Well, here are some tips, if you absolutely MUST eat fast food:
In the end, the fast food restaurants and the doctors you’ll see for your cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and cancer don’t give a damn about you. It’s only you and the ones that love you who care. And if you don’t care enough about yourself, then how about taking care of No. 1 for the people who love you?
So it’s time again to eat and a decision is eminent. You can easily choose the fast food road to death. Or you can make the lifestyle change necessary to extend yourself a healthy and happy life. It’s your choice.
February 9, 2010 by Dr. Mark Wiley
Diseases like obesity, high blood pressure, fatty liver and high cholesterol are more prevalent in today’s high-tech health-conscience society than in the past, when we were ignorant about such things. And there’s truly no excuse for it!
One look at Eric Schlosser’s documentary, Fast Food Nation, tells the tale in all its devastating morbidity. Forget about E.coli and sub-standard working conditions and the tumors cut off the sides of beef before processing it for burgers done “your way.” Forget about the cheap toys restaurants like McDonald’s and Burger King use to attract the kids, and by extension the family, in for a potentially life-shortening meal.
Let’s talk good health and stick to the facts. In terms of food, that means keeping a tight leash on calories, fat, cholesterol and sodium. And if we Americans are too tied to our fatty burgers and deep fried chicken, or we’re just too pressed for time and money to make the necessary change… then at least we can face the enemy armed with the truth about our fast-food indulgence.
I was in the process of researching the nutritional facts from 12 of the more popular chains when a copy of Aramark Corporation’s “Guide to Fast Food” came across my desk. In this little gem I found the “tale of the tape” on 20 of the country’s most popular fast food chains. Starbucks, too! And if you think eating at Subway is good for you because of that guy from the commercial… think again. And if you think chicken served in these restaurants is a better choice than beef… you’ve been misled.
Of the 20 fast food restaurants listed in the guide I’ve culled information from 12, and I call them “The Dirty Dozen.” Below are some tables based on the information published by Aramark, as provided by the franchises themselves, or found on their websites. I call these tables, “The Worst of the Worst” (i.e., things never to eat), and “The Best of the Worst” (i.e., things almost never to eat). I then list the worst and best from the selected Dirty Dozen, in terms of overall numbers of calories, fat, cholesterol and sodium.
The Worst of the Worst
Calories
Carbs (g)
Fat (g)
Cholesterol (mg)
Sodium (mg)
Baskin-Robbins Chocolate Shake 750
80
43
115
290
Boston Market 1/4 Dark Meat w/ Skin 320
2
21
180
460
Burger King BK Big Fish Sandwich 710
67
38
105
1110
Dairy Queen Grilled Chicken Filet Sandwich 310
30
10
50
1040
Domino’s Pepperoni Hand Tossed (2 SL) 448
55
18
38
776
Dunkin’ Donuts Blueberry Muffin 490
76
17
75
610
KFC Hot & Spicy Chicken Breast 505
23
29
162
1170
Krispy Kreme Glazed Devil’s Food Donut 390
41
24
5
250
McDonald’s Biscuit w/ Bacon, Egg, Cheese 540
36
34
250
1550
Subway6" Subway Club, Cold
294
40
5
30
1250
Taco Bell Taco Salad w/ Salsa
850
65
52
60
1780
Wendy’s Big Bacon Classic 580
45
31
95
1500
The Best of the Worst
Calories
Carbs (g)
Fat (g)
Cholesterol (mg)
Sodium (mg)
Baskin-Robbins Ice Daiquiri Scoop 130
33
0
0
10
Boston Market Steamed Vegetables 35
7
0.05
0
35
Burger King Small Hash Browns 240
25
15
0
460
Dairy Queen Fudge Bar (No Sugar Added) 50
13
0
0
70
Domino’s Cheese hand Tossed (2 SL) 375
55
11
23
776
Dunkin’ Donuts Low-Fat Bran Muffin 260
59
2
0
440
KFC Mashed Potatoes w/ Gravy 120
17
6
0
440
Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Donut 210
18
16
40
800
McDonald’s Hash Browns 130
14
8
0
330
Subway Veggie Delight 200
37
2.5
0
500
Taco Bell Taco
170
12
10
30
330
Wendy’s Small French Fries 270
35
13
0
85
The Worst and Best of the Worst Highest Calories 890 Pizza Hut—Medium Stuffed Crust Cheese Pizza (2 slices) Lowest Calories 35 Boston Market—Steamed Veggies Highest Carbohydrates (g) 0 Pizza Hut—Medium Cheese Stuffed-Crust Pizza (2 slices) Lowest Carbohydrates (g) 0 Boston Market—1/4 White Meat, No skin, Without Wing Highest Fat (g) 52 Taco Bell—Taco Salad w/ Salsa Lowest Fat (g) 0 Baskin Robbins—Ice Daiquiri, Regular Scoup Highest Cholesterol (mg) 250 Burger King—Croissan’wich w/ Sausage, Egg, Cheese Highest Cholesterol (mg) 250 McDonald’s—Biscuit w/ Bacon, Egg, Cheese Lowest Cholesterol (mg) 0 Plenty of items with no Cholesterol, such as plain baked potato, steamed veggies, salads without dressing, water Highest Sodium (mg) 2,180 Pizza Hut—Medium Stuffed Crust Cheese Pizza (2 slices) Lowest Sodium (mg) 10 Baskin Robbins—Ice Daiquiri, Regular Scoop
And the big looser is… Pizza Hut. It ranked No. 1 on three of the Worst of the Worst lists. And that’s no great achievement!
Ok, so now you know that what seemed “good” (e.g., chicken, turkey, fish) is actually bad when prepared the fast food way, in terms of calories, fat, carbohydrates, cholesterol and sodium content. And you also know that what these chains serve up as “good for you” food is as boring as a collection of ballpoint pen tops. But you’ve just got to eat fast food because time and money are rooting for the dark side. So where does that leave us…
Well, here are some tips, if you absolutely MUST eat fast food:
- Go for the salads, veggies, potatoes (no sour cream or bacon)
- Broiled is better than fried
- Never eat anything breaded
- Deep fried is out of the question
- Water is the only drink for you
- Hold the salt, there’s plenty already in there
- No desert, thank you.
In the end, the fast food restaurants and the doctors you’ll see for your cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and cancer don’t give a damn about you. It’s only you and the ones that love you who care. And if you don’t care enough about yourself, then how about taking care of No. 1 for the people who love you?
So it’s time again to eat and a decision is eminent. You can easily choose the fast food road to death. Or you can make the lifestyle change necessary to extend yourself a healthy and happy life. It’s your choice.
. Some great movie actors are Nutcases . & Some actresses You think are hot , While were at it Dont save an eagle because of they might loose there sence of smell , But Someone was doing a good thing trying to save the Bird We all have come to respect ( OK Most ) as a symbol for freedom & the USA . 
