The Famous Fast Food Nutrition Facts,
You Got Them?

Fast Food Nutrition Facts

Well, the most famous ones are high calories, high fat and high sodium.

Going by fast food's notoriety as a poor quality and low nutritional value food, it's a real oxymoron to talk about its nutrition facts.

In fact, you'd think there's no or little nutrition in fast food.

Well, I beg to be different.

There's nutritional value in fast food.

It depends on your choice and how you order it.

The Unhealthy Part about Fast Food

Ah! Fast food, your favorite, right?

"Yes!" You jump and leap at the sheer thought of it. I can see your eager face and your glittering eyes....

I say, all teens love to eat fast food. I won't be wrong. Because I've teenage nephews and nieces whose sole purpose in life is "live" to eat fast food!

Because it's fast, cheap, fun and tops, tasty, huh?

Once in a blue moon, I splurge on it too.

Yeah. Me.

That's why I can give you some pertinent fast food nutrition facts that can help you make better and healthier choices so you don't always have to settle for less - poor quality food with low nutritional value.

You know this right? Fast food is high in calories; high in fats (unhealthy ones like saturated fats & trans fat) and notoriously high in sodium (salt).

Imagine, just one fast food meal can pack enough calories, sodium and fat for your entire day!

But if you cut back on your other meals that day, you'd be OK. Eat in moderation is the key here.

OK. The reason why you can't get hold of fast food nutrition facts is because you don't have the knowledge of the nutritional content of your food.

Don't worry. Go by these "guidelines" to get healthier and also tastier choices!

1. Check out Restaurant's Website First

Many fast food restaurants post their fast food nutritional facts or information on their websites.

You'd be amazed to find out the "outrageous" calories, the amount of saturated fats and sodium in their foods.

So, the smart thing to do is to find healthier versions or substitutes of them .

2. Choose Menu Carefully

Don't be lazy. Read the menu. Avoid food that's deep-fried; pan-fried; basted; batter-dipped; breaded; creamy; crispy; au gratin or in cream sauce.

They spell high calories with unhealthy fats and sodium.

Look out for high calorie and high fat salad dressings, spreads, cheese, sour cream, etc. Cut down on them or avoid them.

I always eat McDonald's burger without cheese and sour cream. It tastes just as nice. I kid you not....

Try grilled chicken sandwich without the mayonnaise at Subway. Mmmmmm.....Yummy!

3. Opt for Special Order

Don't be afraid to order something you think is healthier than those featured in the menu.

Many fast food outlets now cater for this.

Hey! After all, you're the customer. You pay for it.

You can say you want more veggies, less oil, less cream, less salt for your food.

If your food is fried or cooked in oil or butter, ask to have it broiled or steamed.

4. Control your Portion Size

Typically, fast food portions are huge.

A single serving is enough for 2 meals.

Share the portion with your friend or a family member.

If you're eating alone, then take half of it home, to eat it later.

5. Sodium "Control"

We've established that fast food is high in sodium.

So watch out. Don't add in more salt to your food.

6. Cut Down Soda

Believe it or not, soda is the culprit with the hidden calories. One 32-oz non-diet cola packs about 425 calories, a big chunk of your daily calorie intake already!

I suggest you drink water with lemon or go for unsweetened iced tea.

Just going by one of the 6 above, you'd be "revolutionizing" the fast food nutrition facts of high calories, high fat and high sodium!

Transform your Favorite Fast Foods into Healthier Ones

I single out 4 most popular fast foods to show you how to add nutrition to them.

Fast Food Nutrition Facts - Burger

I recommend these:

-Regular, single-patty hamburger without mayo or cheese

-Veggie burger

-Garden salad with grilled chicken and low-fat dressing -Baked potato -Grilled chicken strips

Fried Chicken

KFC's "extra crispy chicken breast" has 440 calories, 27 grams of fat and 970 mg of sodium!

So, try this healthier version:

-Skinless chicken breast without breading

-Honey BBQ chicken sandwich

-Garden salad

-Mashed potatoes

-Very little gravy and sauce

Fast Food Nutrition Facts - Sandwich

You think sandwich is healthier and "friendlier" in terms of calories, fat and sodium?

Ha! Because you think so, you tend to eat more calories in a meal.

You feel you've more room to spare for calories since you're eating “healthy”.

You go for the chips, sodas and extra condiments....

Well, don't be shortchanged.

Go for a 6-inch whole-grain bread with lean meat (roast beef, chicken breast, lean ham) or veggies, some low-fat cheese, low-fat dressing or mustard and extra veggie toppings.

Plenty of vitamins and minerals (from veggies), plus fiber (from whole grain bread) and protein (from lean meat).

Pizzas

The buss word - stay away from fried, oily or overly-buttery ones. Or those with huge amounts of cream and cheese.

They stuff you with high calories and fat.

Choose thin-crust pizzas with half the cheese and with extra veggies.

Or pasta with tomato sauce and veggies.

Eat the Healthier Version

Fast food nutrition facts. I can go on with lots more.

The gist is this - create your own healthier version of the fast food you want to eat.

Then you won't eat poor quality food with low nutrition.

Happy eating!

Back to top

Perfect Body Blog | About Me/Contact Me | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer




Fast Food Nutrition Facts - back to teen health and fitness
Fast Food Nutrition Facts - back to home page