In our health and weight obsessed society, we are taking the all or nothing attitude.
People either eat all protein and no carbs, all vegetables, only raw foods, and avoid dairy and sugar entirely in pursuit of the perfect physique; thinking these are the key to looking younger and living longer. Calories are counted and diet plans eliminate favorite foods completely in the name of youth, health and six-pack abs.
The nation of excess in terms of over indulgence is becoming a nation of excess in under indulgence. When Morgan Sperlock made his documentary “Super Size Me,” he ate nothing but fast food for 30 days in the hope of proving the negative effects of this lifestyle. But does it have to be this way; does it have to be all or nothing?
As with anything else in life, fast food can be enjoyed by a person trying to lose weight and be healthy if the right choices are made. For example, a hamburger instead of a cheeseburger is lower in saturated fat and calories. Reduce sodium by eliminating pickles. If your biggest meal of the day is lunch, aim for eating fast food then, as you are more likely to burn the calories from this meal than you are from breakfast or dinner.
Fast food restaurants offer more of a choice today than ever before. Fried foods, once the only choice on a fast food diet, can be replaced by grilled foods for a healthier alternative. Also, fast food restaurants offer salads and low fat menus in keeping with many weight loss programs. As part of one or more of the recommended food groups, including dairy and meat, fast food fits well into a healthy diet.
In the obsession to control everything people put in their bodies, many nutrients are being eliminated from people’s diets. Fast food allows these nutrients to be incorporated back into our diets. A certain amount of sugars, salts, and fats are needed for the body’s metabolism to burn fat. By drastically reducing or eliminating these nutrients, many people struggle with weight loss or plateau after losing a certain amount of weight.
Eating some fast food allows for the inclusion of these nutrients and eliminates the feeling of denial caused by many other diet programs.
As with any other diet, moderation is the key. Eating fast food every day, three times a day will not help anyone lose weight. But, occasionally eating fast food as part of a health-conscious diet can be an acceptable part of a weight-loss program. As always, a physician should be consulted before embarking on any diet or lifestyle change. Including fast food in a person’s diet may not be recommended for those at risk for heart disease, diabetes or other health ailments. If given the all clear by a doctor, try incorporating fast food wisely into a healthy diet and lifestyle. Make good choices, choose grilled foods over fried, a thinner crust pizza or onion rings instead of French fries and worry less about eating a fast food diet.