When you think of fast food, the first thing that probably comes to mind is a stick-thin model holding an apple slice. Maybe the second thing that comes to mind is a bowl of nachos or hamburger. Fast food restaurants are notorious for their lack of quality and quantity. Their foods are generally high in fat, sodium and calories, which makes them less than ideal as a meal choice.
That being said, eating at fast food restaurants doesn’t mean you can’t also enjoy some healthy options. A few unhealthy-yet-delicious items will make your fast-food dining experience more enjoyable. Read through to learn more about these unhealthy fast foods:
Wraps and Sandwiches
Wraps are convenient and easy to eat, which makes them ideal for on-the-go lunches. They’re also a great way to get some fibre into your diet. While tortillas make a great wrap, they’re also an excellent vehicle for unhealthy ingredients. These ingredients include cheese, mayonnaise, cream cheese, bacon and other fatty ingredients. To avoid consuming too much sodium and saturated fat, be careful about what you put in your wrap.
Instead, try using vegetables as fillings and spreading hummus on your tortilla instead of cheese. Avoid bread as a wrap ingredient. Instead, try using low-fat whole-wheat tortillas or tortilla chips as your wrap base. Another option is to use lettuce instead of bread as the wrap layer. You can also safely substitute meat for vegetables in your wrap recipes.
Fries and Onion Rings
The golden age of fast food coincided with the ‘80s when Americans were feeding their love muscles with burgers and large portions of French fries. Thankfully, we’ve since become a more health-conscious society, so we don’t see french fry vending machines as much anymore.
Unfortunately, the fast food industry hasn’t learned from our mistakes and has instead turned to unhealthy options as a solution to our unhealthy demands. Fries are one of these options. In addition to being high in fat, french fries are also high in sodium and calories. Cooking them at home is better than ordering them out, but it doesn’t come close to matching the delicious taste of fresh, crispy fries.
You can give your fast food meal a healthy boost by ordering a side of fries that come with a small order of vegetables. You can also try ordering a side of onion rings instead of a side of french fries. Onion rings are crispy but are lower in calories and fat than french fries.
Hamburgers and Mexicats
Hamburgers are a fast food classic, and for good reason. They’re high in protein, making them a great option for when you’re feeling a little fatigued and worn out from a long day at work.
Unfortunately, a lot of fast food burgers are high in fat and sodium. Fortunately, most of these burgers also come with a side of greens, so you can take in fibre from other vegetables without consuming excessive amounts of sodium. However, most of the time, these burgers come with a side of french fries.
When you eat burgers with a side of fries, you’re consuming a lot of unhealthy ingredients. Fries are high in fat, sodium and calories, while turkey burgers are high in salt, fat and calories. To make your fast food meal healthier, try ordering a salad with your burger.
Another idea is to order a side of Mexicans, which are seasoned fried corn tortillas. Another option is to order a veggie patty instead of a beef patty. Veggie patties are made from protein-rich vegetables and are a great option for vegetarians.
Chicken Nuggets and Baked Chicken Nuggets
Chicken nuggets are a quick and easy way to get protein and carbs into your diet. Unfortunately, most fast food chicken nuggets are fried in unhealthy oils, which makes them high in fat, sodium and calories. To make these nuggets healthier, find a chicken nugget recipe that uses baking as a method for cooking the chicken.
Baked, not fried, chicken nuggets are much healthier because they lack the fat and sodium that most nuggets contain. To add some extra flavour to your chicken nuggets, find a recipe that uses spices like cumin and cilantro. These spices are mild and can be used safely in recipes.
Another healthy option is to order a side of baked chicken nuggets instead of fried chicken nuggets. Baked chicken nuggets are much healthier than fried nuggets since they are moist and contain less fat.
Desserts
Desserts are an unhealthy yet delicious part of any fast food meal. Whether you order a dessert or share one with your friends, remember, it’s the sweetness that makes all these sweet treats so appealing. Unfortunately, a lot of desserts are high in fat, sodium and sugar.
But some dessert options are low in these unhealthy ingredients. For example, sweetened yoghurt is a great non-sweet dessert option that’s low in fat, sodium and sugar. You can also try pairing your dessert with a side of yoghurt. Another healthy option is to order a side of fruit. You can also try pairing your dessert with a side of low-fat yoghurt or vanilla ice cream.
Conclusion
Eating healthy doesn’t have to mean you don’t get to enjoy your favourite foods. You can find healthy items at just about any fast food establishment. It’s important to remember that fast food is high in fat, sodium and sugar. But you can still enjoy your favourite unhealthy items, just by making some small, healthy changes.
