I read a news post that talks about the significant health issues of a young woman whose sole diet consisted of McDonald’s “chicken” nuggets.
“Shocked doctors learned of her habit when the factory worker, collapsed and was taken to hospital after struggling to breathe.
“Ms Irvine, who has never eaten fruit or vegetables, had swollen veins in her tongue and was found to have anaemia.
“A lack of vitamins and other nutrients combined with a dangerous amount of salt can raise blood pressure and weaken the immune system and lead to an increased risk of heart attacks or
strokes, particularly as Ms Irvine ages.”
Whether it be McDonald’s, Burger King or any of the chicken outlets, fast food has become a strong competitor in the food market.
If we base a diet on the salt, fat and starchy carbohydrate-laden foods served at these places, we have potential for health problems. As a “sometimes food”, a meal every now and then, it’s unlikely to cause much harm.
Current healthy eating guidelines recommend plenty of fruit, fresh vegetables and lean protein sources while avoiding high salt, sugar, unhealthy fats and starchy carbohydrates.
Can you guess which side of the equation a Burger King ‘Whopper with cheese’ value meal sits?
Let’s see if we can make this meal a little more healthy.
If you are offered an upsize to a larger “value” meal, say no. This is a simple way for the fast food companies to add more money and does nothing for your waistline.
French fries are high in fat, salt and starchy carbs, while low in vitamins. This combination is bad for the waist and heart, sending insulin into overdrive, increasing fat deposits in the body.
An alternative to fries is a salad. Most fast food outlets are starting to offer salads. If the salad comes with dressing, have it without or just a tiny amount to add flavour.
One of the biggest sources of sugar in a hamburger is the bread roll. As with all white breads, less is better. If there is an option for pita bread or a wrap rather than a roll, go for that choice.
Soft drink contains high volumes of sugar. A healthy option would be to have water. If you do crave a fizzy drink, choose a diet soft drink.
I enjoy a bad meal occasionally, however, I go into it understanding that this is probably not a good choice. One of the advantages of living in a city like Melbourne is that there are restaurants or snack bars where I can get a great Asian stir-fry, a wrap or even a healthy curry for less than the cost of a Burger King meal, and I feel a lot better for it.
By DR GEORGE FORGAN-SMITH
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