Ghost-Written Article
Fast Food May Be Fast, But Other Food Choices Mean Better Health
By Peter Gintner, PA-C
You've worked all day and you're running late. You're tired and your stomach is growling. You know the leftovers are gone and you don't feel like cooking.
What do you do? If you're like millions of Americans, you zip over to your favorite fast food restaurant, pull into the drive-up lane and order a burger, a taco, a pizza or something else that promises to satisfy your hunger in a hurry.
No doubt about it, fast food is a convenient solution when we're trying to squeeze a meal into our jam-packed schedules. Unfortunately, what's also true is that burgers, fries and other fast foods contain plenty of fat and cholesterol. When consumed on a steady basis, these substances can result in higher blood cholesterol levels and an increased risk of heart disease.
What's also important to remember is when you're eating fast food, you're often missing out on the key basics of a healthy diet. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, our diet is crucial to helping us minimize the amount of fat and cholesterol that we consume, as well as sugar and sodium. It's also crucial in providing important nutrients like vitamin A and vitamin C in ensuring good overall health.
At this point, maybe you're thinking this sounds OK. But maybe you're also wondering if this is realistic—especially when you want to eat out. The good news is you can eat out at restaurants, and you can do it without compromising your health.