Can Fast Food Be Healthy?

Written by Augustina Tucker

Thumbnail Photo by mafe estudio on Unsplash

Like many of their peers, Kathleen and Alice eat out a lot. As midterms roll around, they find themselves leaning towards grabbing a Tim Hortons’ chicken wrap or a MacDonald’s burger because there’s hardly any time to cook. “Nothing fancy,’’ Kathleen tells Alice as they head to Tim Hortons, her mind set on getting the BLT sandwich.  Canadians enjoy foods that can be prepared and served quickly.  The benefits of fast food are primarily related to its convenience. Many people have a busy lifestyle and time constraints. Short lunch breaks or a quick study session before dinner make these foods appealing. As unusual as it sounds, some fast food can be healthy. Consumers, especially students, are no longer limited to traditional fast food restaurants grilling up the same product throughout Canada. From nutritional information becoming more readily available to make healthier choices to changes in cooking techniques, fast foods are rapidly becoming healthier by the day. The good news is that most fast-food restaurants now offer a variety of food choices. Keep reading if you want to know why snacking on some pizza before finals should be a no-brainer!

1. Availability of Nutrition Info

One benefit of fast food is the availability of nutritional information. The FDA requires dietary facts  to be listed for standard menu items in large retail food chains. This includes information on calories, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, and protein. You can typically find the nutrition information posted on menu boards and online on restaurant websites. Knowing the nutrition of the foods you're about to order can help you make more informed and health-conscious choices. Students are concerned about overall nutrition and look for resources to choose a healthier menu. Nutrition facts are an essential deciding factor. Choosing wisely with tools such as the Fast Food Meal Calculators will assist in decision-making. The website Fast Food Nutrition provides detailed nutrition facts on all the major fast food outlets. On the website, they have an easy-to-use fast food calculator. Before ordering, one can calculate the calories, fat, sodium, and even sugar of the entire meal. This will be beneficial in deciding to get healthier options for fast food, even if you’re on the go.

2. Changes in Cooking Techniques

Photo by Ashley Green on Unsplash

Another positive change in the fast-food world is that foods can now be prepared using healthier cooking methods. For example, many fast-food eateries now include grilled chicken breasts or broiled fish on their menu rather than just deep-fried choices. Opting for grilled or roasted lean meats is usually a good choice. Fried and breaded foods, such as crispy chicken sandwiches and breaded fish fillets, are high in fat and calories. Select grilled or roasted entrees like chicken breast or lean roast beef. Pay attention to the descriptions on the menu. Dishes labeled deep-fried, pan-fried, basted, batter-dipped, breaded, creamy, or crispy are usually high in calories, unhealthy fats, and sodium. Being mindful of how your food is prepared not only gives you an idea of what’s going into your body, but you can also control how it was made. So you might want to skip out on that deep-fried cheeseburger.

3. “Freedom from Fries”: Nutritious Alternatives

More nutritious items are often available on fast food menus. Look for fresh salads, low-fat yogurt, fruit cups, and wheat buns to replace some of the higher-fat and lower-fiber menu options. Keep in mind that choosing these options can go the wrong way  when paired with less-nutritious selections, such as having fried chicken on your whole-wheat bun, high-fat salad dressing on your salad, or high-sugar candies mixed into your yogurt. Choosing more nutritious side dishes is also an excellent way of making your fast food healthier. Take advantage of the healthier  side dishes offered at many fast-food restaurants. For example, choose a side salad with low-fat dressing or a baked potato instead of French fries. Or add a fruit bowl or a fruit and yogurt option to your meal. Other healthy choices include apple or orange slices, corn on the cob, steamed rice, baked potato chips, or a broth-based soup. Ten years ago, Canadians would not have considered a bowl of vegetable scraps dressed with lime-cilantro or spicy pesto vinaigrette as fast food. Many people wouldn’t have considered it food at all. But in recent times, salads have wriggled their way into the menus of many fast-food outlets, and going green is now a good option for making better nutritious choices. Watch out for high-calorie salads, such as those with deep-fried shells or those topped with breaded chicken or fried toppings. Also, try to skip extras like cheese and croutons, which quickly increase your calorie count.

The Bottom Line: Our Bodies! Our Choice!

Fast food has become synonymous to  bad food. However, with a growing number of fast-food chains offering nutritious options for health-conscious eaters, it's easier to take advantage of the convenience of prepared food without the excess calories, saturated fat, salt, and sugar that give fast foods a bad rap. As students, it’s easy to get caught up in school work and cooking may become daunting, so it’s completely normal to decide on getting fast food. 

Remember your body is your home; nurture it with balance and health-conscious choices. Times are indeed changing for fast-food chains!