fast-food-related stories
Burn Off Your Favorite Fast Foods
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| Photo: Christian Cable/Flickr |
But when you're really in a pinch, it's handy to know exactly how much those favorite fast food items are going to set you back. CafeMom and the Diet Detective, Charles Stuart Platkin, have some tips on how to burn off the calories from popular fast food items. Bethany has some more tips on how to survive a run in with the drive thru. And be sure to check out these weight loss tips from Charles Stuart Platkin, too.
Dining Guide - Best and Worst for Your Diet
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
As much as we like to call out the pitfalls of the fast food and convenience food industries, not everything you eat while out and about is, or has to be, bad. At AOL Health, we've done the dirt-digging for you. For starters, we have the worst side orders, fast-food shockers, secretly salt-saturated orders, worst food in America -- and on the positive end of the eating-out experience, we have a salad-bar survival guide, high-fiber fast food orders, smart eating-out strategies, meals under 400 calories and the ultimate thin dining guide. Plus, do you know how long it would take to burn off these common orders?
KFC Grilled Chicken - A Healthier Choice
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"Feel like getting a bucket of chicken?" I asked my husband over the weekend. When I told him that the only condition was I wanted to try the new grilled version, he didn't seem impressed. At the drive-thru, we discovered a bucket of grilled chicken was the same price as fried, a pleasant surprise. Once we got them home, we dug in. And they were good. Finger lickin' good. Tasty, I mean, but they're also definitely a better choice than the fried version. Let's compare:
- Original Recipe: 110 to 370 calories with seven to 21 grams of fat, 290 to 1,050 mg of sodium
- Grilled Chicken: 70 to 180 calories with four to nine grams of fat, 160 to 440 mg of sodium
Awesome Abs, Mindful Eating and Diet Diaries - Week in Review - April 13 to April 19
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
You might not be able to change your desk job, but you can change the way you sit. Find out why slouching is bad for your back and butt and how to fix this common problem.A club sandwich just happens to be one of my favorite menu items, and here's why I rarely order it: Martha says a club contains a whopping 1,030 calories. Next time I want to indulge, I'm sharing it with someone else!
Put that two-piece bathing suit in your shopping cart. Fitz has two exercises to help you create some awesome abs.
Jonny reminds us that in the battle between high fructose corn syrup and sugar, there are no winners. Both should be avoided when possible and enjoyed only in moderation.
See a salad on a fast food menu? It might actually cause you to eat fries instead. Don't let the notion of healthy food make you let your guard down. Order it, eat it and be healthy instead.
So you want to make some healthy changes but aren't sure where to start? Try stocking up with one of these seven fridge superstars.
Ever sat in front of the TV munching on chips, only to realize you've polished off half the bag? Laura's got tips for being a more mindful eater.
A study links vegetarians to eating disorders, but could it really be the other way around? Maybe people with eating disorders are "hiding" behind vegetarianism.
Good on you, That's Fit readers! Forty six percent of you keep a diet diary. That's a great way to keep track of calories and not let mindless eating get away from you.
Do you have a fitness buddy? I tried it for a week, and it really is a great motivational tool. Try calling up one of your friends this weekend and commit to a shared workout.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Fast Food - The Worst Orders for Your Diet - This Week on AOL Health
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
What's the worst fast food you've ever had? And when was the last time you had any -- have you removed it completely from your diet?
Healthy Fast Food - Good Choices Gone Bad
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
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Three small studies turned up this conclusion, and it's an intriguing finding. Study author Keith Wilcox attributes it to the "licensing effect." You know how sometimes after a long run, you think to yourself, "Well, I can indulge at dinner tonight, I worked out." The same appears to happen in the brain when salad or other healthy choices show up on a fast food menu. "People give themselves license to eat more indulgently because there is a healthy option," Wilcox tells That's Fit.
Smart Food Choices
By Liz Neporent
When it comes to making good food choices, conventional wisdom seems to be a moving target. Think you're up on the latest nutrition facts? Test yourself to see which of the following food pairs is the healthier choice.
Farmed or Wild Salmon?
Farm-raised salmon contain 13 times more cancer-causing pollutants than salmon caught in the wild. Since the bulk of the contaminants are stored in fish fat, you can eliminate them by removing the skin and grilling thoroughly -- but this also reduces heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Ketchup or Tomatoes?
Organic ketchups -- typically darker in color compared to non-organic brands -- are the best source of lycopene, a chemical that reduces the risk of heart disease and fends off many types of cancer. Ketchup contains about five times as much lycopene per weight as a tomato.
Cloudy or Clear Apple Juice?
The murkier the juice, the higher the antioxidant count -- up to four times higher than the sparkling version, according to a brand new Polish study. Though clear is more attractive, it's been processed to remove apple solids, diminishing many of the health benefits.
Butter or Margarine?
Believe it: Butter is the better choice. Both butter and margarine are high in calories and saturated fat but traditional margarines also delivers two to three grams of artery busting trans fats per tablespoon. A recent slew of new heart-smart margarines are trans fat free and can actually help lower cholesterol.
Red or Green Pepper?
All bell peppers are deliciously healthy because they're low in calories and high in vitamins, antioxidants and fiber. But when green peppers are ripened to red they become true nutritional champs by supplying a generous dose of lycopene and 50 percent more vitamin C as well.
Black Tea or Tea With Milk?
Hold that splash of moo juice to your spot of tea. A German study found that all of tea's cardio-protective effects are canceled out by adding milk. Milk proteins called caseins decrease the amount of catechins, the compound found in tea shown to guard against heart disease.
Bottled or Tap Water?
The thirst for bottled water has nearly doubled in the past decade despite the fact that it offers no real health benefits. A four-year study judged it no safer or cleaner than regular tap water. Bottles gobble up natural resources and cost up to 10,000 times more than turning on a faucet.
Low Fat or Full Fat Dairy?
More than 19,000 women who ate at least one serving of full fat dairy each day put on less weight over the long term, according to a Swedish study . Low-fat dairy didn't seem to prevent a bulked up waist line but researchers are unclear why.
In one study, Wilcox gave participants -- college students -- two different menus. One had french fries, chicken nuggets and baked potatoes. The other had all three choices, plus a salad. Participants were three times more likely to choose fries when offered the menu with the salad than without.
Lower Calorie Versions of Everything You Love - This Week on AOL Health
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
So you're on a diet, or you're trying to cut back. Why shouldn't you have the things you love -- in moderation? Even at AOL Health, the editors watch what they eat -- occasionally. That's why we've got a roundup of every kind of low-cal food item you can imagine -- low-cal desserts, frozen meals, frozen treats, snacks, salty snacks, snacks under 100 calories and fast-food orders for under 400 calories.
Tell us your take. Do these low-cal items look appetizing and filling? Do you try to go low-cal, or are you all about portion control?
Tell us your take. Do these low-cal items look appetizing and filling? Do you try to go low-cal, or are you all about portion control?
Ballpark Burger - Does It Need a Warning?
As a writer for "AOL Health," one my greatest pleasures (and horrors) is writing about the latest and most outrageous fast food disasters. While I've come across some doozies in my reporting, nothing quite compares to the West Michigan Whitecaps' soon-to-be-released four-pound, $20 sandwich, which is boasted to contain five beef patties, five slices of cheese, nearly a cup of chili and liberal doses of salsa and corn chips, all crammed in an eight-inch bun, amounting to 4,800-calories. Yes, that's nearly two and a half day's worth of calories! No wonder a dietitian from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine called this seriously bad burger a "dietary disaster."
Fat is Your Fault, Lil Kim and Healthy Fast Food - Week in Review - March 16 to March 22
Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment
Meghan McCain is a size 8, and she thinks that in the world of politics, size should be irrelevant. What do you think about Laura Ingraham's plus-sized barb?Cardio: Are you a compensator or a non-compensator? Knowing the difference might just help you lose weight.
Sweaty active wear can cause your skin to break out. Kristen's got tips to help you say bye bye to bacne for good.
In a poor economy, stress levels are higher than ever. Laura knows your life may be changing in ways you don't like, so she's got some ideas to help you weather the storm in a healthy way.
Lil Kim's strutting her stuff on "Dancing with the Stars," and it's inspiring her to live a healthier lifestyle. Find out what changes Kim is making.
Diet-Blog thinks "The Biggest Loser" is overrated, but Bev disagrees. She says the show's positive focus and fitness tips make it a worthwhile watch. What do you think?
Howard Schneider shares some tough talk, and Bev agrees: If you're overweight, it's nobody's fault but your own.
Fitz talked fitness with American Gold Medalist Shawn Johnson and SATC's naked shower guy Gilles Marini, and they dished about their stint on "Dancing with the Stars."
Healthy fast food -- is it an oxymoron? Not quite, but fast food restaurants have not quite yet perfected the healthy meal either.
Healthy Fast Food - How Easy Is It?
Walk the Walk, Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
In the war on obesity, fast food is usually our biggest target. Cheap and convenient, it's a popular choice. But it's fatty, salty menu choices don't make it a healthy choice.
Some people work hard to never step foot in a fast food restaurant, but I don't think that's a realistic goal for the general population; statistics show that half of Americans' meals aren't cooked at home. Though I think we would all be better off reducing our takeout meals, I think it's also important that we educate ourselves on how to eat fast food without downing 1,000 calories in a sitting.
To their credit, fast food restaurants have started offering healthier options to their customers. Long John Silver's is the latest with their Freshside Grille menu. My goal this week is to eat one healthy meal at a fast food restaurant each day this week, to find out exactly how realistic healthy fast food really is.
Walking the Walk - Day 1
Walk the Walk, Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Day 1: We've been meaning to try Qdoba for a while now, on the recommendation from a friend. Since it's in a neighboring city, we haven't had a chance. Tonight, though, we happened to be over that way, and this week's "Walking the Walk" challenge was the perfect excuse to stop in.Qdoba, for those who haven't been, is kind of like a Mexican food Subway. Selections are made-to-order on the spot with fresh (and tasty!) ingredients. In this particular restaurant, I couldn't find any nutritional information. Since I hadn't had a chance to look online, I was kind of ordering on the fly.
The Naked Burrito looked good -- essentially a burrito without the tortilla. But watching my husband's Pablan Pesto Burrito as it was made, I realized it probably would be way too high in calories. Those things are gigantic. The Naked versions aren't terrible though, roughly 500-600 calories depending on your selection. I was looking for something lighter, though. The Naked Taco Salad (no crunchy shell), which I ended up choosing, weighed in at 340 calories. Good choice.
Though Qdoba doesn't have the nutritional information for all of their products online (boo!), they do highlight their decent selection of healthier choices.
Walking the Walk - Day 5
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Day 5: Burger King is home of the Triple Whopper, have it with cheese and mayo and you'll be swallowing 1,230 calories and 82 grams of fat. And that's before you order that large fry and soda. Yikes. Is it really possible to find something healthy to eat here?BK's Tendergrill Salad is probably the best choice, at 240 calories and nine grams of fat (before dressing). But I'm tired of salad. That's probably my biggest complaint this week -- if I want to avoid fried and fatty, then salads are my only choice. I'm bored with grilled chicken salads, so I'm going to try and piece together something a little more interesting.
A Whopper Jr. with no mayo is 290 calories and a respectable 12 grams of fat, and likewise, the Tendergrill chicken sandwich is 400 calories and nine grams of fat (again, no mayo). Either choice works for me, but when I start looking at sides, the pickings are slim: Order a side salad, or dive into the kids' menu and get an applesauce or apple fries.
I go for the Whopper Jr. and salad. I'm full, but it was definitely an uninspired meal.
Walking the Walk - Day 3
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Day 3: McDonald's puts their nutritional information on the back of their tray liners, so at least they're transparent about how terrible some of their food is. You want fat and greasy? You can get it at McDonald's, but when it comes to lighter fare, they do have options.One of my favorite breakfasts at McDonald's is their fruit and walnut salad. At 210 calories, it's more snack-sized than meal-sized, but the protein from the nuts and the yogurt can usually carry me through. But today I'm here for lunch. I decide on a grilled chicken salad -- all three are respectable, though you'll want to skip the high-fat Caeser and ranch dressings. The grilled chicken snack wraps would be another good choice, paired with a side salad.
My biggest complaint about McDonald's salads is the lettuce, a boring and tasteless iceberg. I wish they'd consider switching to fresh greens, which would make it a pretty decent lunch. I also think they need to add more low-fat dressings to their menu.
Walking the Walk - Making It Work for You
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Fast food restaurants have finally realized that everyone needs a convenience meal now and then, but not everyone loves greasy, fatty food. If you eat out on a regular basis, here are some tips for choosing well at a fast food restaurant, including:- Avoid foods that are described as fried, battered, creamy, or crispy.
- Avoid combo meals, which usually come with a soda. Drink water instead.
- Watch your dressings -- order sandwiches plain, salads with dressing on the side. That way, you get to choose what and how much you add.
- Choose smaller portions. The 12-inch sub might be on sale, but if you know you'll eat the whole thing, order the six-inch instead.
- Opt for the Kids menu -- another option for smaller portions. If you really, really want that burger, order a junior with a salad on the side.
- Ask for extra veggies on your sandwich to up the nutritional value.
Panera was recently named the healthiest fast food restaurant, a good choice if you have one nearby. And GoodFoodNearYou is an online tool that finds local fast food restaurants and offers healthy suggestions. Finally, here's some more tips on enjoying fast food without going overboard.
Have you ever tried choosing a healthy fast food meal? What kinds of tips and tricks can you share with our readers to make this healthy habit stick?
Got a Walking the Walk idea you'd like to see Bethany try for seven days? Share it with us in comments!
Walking the Walk - The Verdict
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
It's time to decide -- is this a healthy habit that can be realistically worked into day-to-day life?- Piece of cake! I can definitely work this into my daily routine.
- Not my cup of tea. This is harder than I imagined. Still, I plan to stick with it and do my best.
- Nuts! This seems nearly impossible to keep up. But I'll definitely do it whenever possible.
Healthy fast food isn't my cup of tea, and I'll tell you why. But first let me share what I liked about this week.
I was in seven fast foot restaurants in all -- Qdoba, Burger King, McDonald's, Wendy's, Arby's, Subway and Long John Silver's. At every single location, there were choices that filled me up without landing me over my calorie budget. Many of the restaurants made their nutritional information available in-house, and nearly all of them shared nutritional information online. If I wanted to live entirely on healthy fast food, I wouldn't starve. And occasionally, I might even enjoy my meal.
That said -- and this is just my personal opinion -- I'd rather avoid fast food altogether than have to eat their healthy menu items. There are two reasons for this. The first is that it's really, really hard to go into a restaurant that's known for it's salty fries and order a salad. It feels like denial, and I don't want dieting to constantly feel like punishment.
And second, the food just wasn't that good. It was fine, sure. But I can make my own pretty kick-a** salad ... those fast food versions are uninspired at best. Which brings me to my final criticism: Most fast food restaurants rely on salad as their go-to healthy choices. Salad is good, but I'd love to see the big three -- McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's -- expand their options.
