Just how bad is fast food? Look inside for my story...

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: Amused
"Fast food" has nothing to do with this. If you ate burgers and fries at home, you'd have the same problem.

You can eat healthy at most fast food places. It wasn't "fast food" that did that to you. It was your overall diet choices. You can eat equally bad anywhere, including at home.

This is true to a point.

Preparation of food is at times just as important (or more so) as the contents of the food.

Slicing potatoes like fries and broiling them still yields carbs, but it has none of the fatty oils that clog your arteries.

 

[JDrake]

I cant believe I agree with amused

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Garet Jax

Originally posted by: Amused
"Fast food" has nothing to do with this. If you ate burgers and fries at home, you'd have the same problem.

You can eat healthy at most fast food places. It wasn't "fast food" that did that to you. It was your overall diet choices. You can eat equally bad anywhere, including at home.

This is true to a point.

Preparation of food is at times just as important (or more so) as the contents of the food.

Slicing potatoes like fries and broiling them still yields carbs, but it has none of the fatty oils that clog your arteries.

I'll agree with that. Deep frying anything makes for a disaster in people with a predisposition for high cholesterol and/or heart disease. In fact, I mentioned this in a later post here this morning... that the fries he ate were probably a large part of his problem.

The problem is, many will buy frozen fries and bake them, not knowing that many have that oil/fat added so they taste good.

 

[edro]

Originally posted by: Amused
"Fast food" has nothing to do with this. If you ate burgers and fries at home, you'd have the same problem.

You can eat healthy at most fast food places. It wasn't "fast food" that did that to you. It was your overall diet choices. You can eat equally bad anywhere, including at home.

Yes.

I eat fast food all the time (probably 5-8 times a week). You just have to know what their nutrition content is. Almost all fast food places have their Nutrition Info on their website.

You are always safe with Grilled Chicken salads (low fat dressing) and Grilled Chicken sandwiches, no mayo or cheese.

Hell, a lot of them are now letting you choose your side item instead of fries now.

A Grilled Chicken sandwich + Side Salad and Fat Free dressing and a Diet Coke is a very good meal.

 

[MiniDoom]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Garet Jax

Originally posted by: Amused
"Fast food" has nothing to do with this. If you ate burgers and fries at home, you'd have the same problem.

You can eat healthy at most fast food places. It wasn't "fast food" that did that to you. It was your overall diet choices. You can eat equally bad anywhere, including at home.

This is true to a point.

Preparation of food is at times just as important (or more so) as the contents of the food.

Slicing potatoes like fries and broiling them still yields carbs, but it has none of the fatty oils that clog your arteries.

I'll agree with that. Deep frying anything makes for a disaster in people with a predisposition for high cholesterol and/or heart disease. In fact, I mentioned this in a later post here this morning... that the fries he ate were probably a large part of his problem.

The problem is, many will buy frozen fries and bake them, not knowing that many have that oil/fat added so they taste good.

What about cooking with olive oil? I've heard it isn't bad for your heart.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: rdubbz420

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Garet Jax

Originally posted by: Amused
"Fast food" has nothing to do with this. If you ate burgers and fries at home, you'd have the same problem.

You can eat healthy at most fast food places. It wasn't "fast food" that did that to you. It was your overall diet choices. You can eat equally bad anywhere, including at home.

This is true to a point.

Preparation of food is at times just as important (or more so) as the contents of the food.

Slicing potatoes like fries and broiling them still yields carbs, but it has none of the fatty oils that clog your arteries.

I'll agree with that. Deep frying anything makes for a disaster in people with a predisposition for high cholesterol and/or heart disease. In fact, I mentioned this in a later post here this morning... that the fries he ate were probably a large part of his problem.

The problem is, many will buy frozen fries and bake them, not knowing that many have that oil/fat added so they taste good.

What about cooking with olive oil? I've heard it isn't bad for your heart.

Nope, not bad at all. Problem is, most people don't deep fry with olive oil.

 

[MiniDoom]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: rdubbz420

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Garet Jax

Originally posted by: Amused
"Fast food" has nothing to do with this. If you ate burgers and fries at home, you'd have the same problem.

You can eat healthy at most fast food places. It wasn't "fast food" that did that to you. It was your overall diet choices. You can eat equally bad anywhere, including at home.

This is true to a point.

Preparation of food is at times just as important (or more so) as the contents of the food.

Slicing potatoes like fries and broiling them still yields carbs, but it has none of the fatty oils that clog your arteries.

I'll agree with that. Deep frying anything makes for a disaster in people with a predisposition for high cholesterol and/or heart disease. In fact, I mentioned this in a later post here this morning... that the fries he ate were probably a large part of his problem.

The problem is, many will buy frozen fries and bake them, not knowing that many have that oil/fat added so they taste good.

What about cooking with olive oil? I've heard it isn't bad for your heart.

Nope, not bad at all. Problem is, most people don't deep fry with olive oil.

I wonder why that is, taste? price? that?s all I ever cook with, but the extent of my frying is cooking home fries or eggs in a frying pan.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: rdubbz420

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: rdubbz420

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Garet Jax

Originally posted by: Amused
"Fast food" has nothing to do with this. If you ate burgers and fries at home, you'd have the same problem.

You can eat healthy at most fast food places. It wasn't "fast food" that did that to you. It was your overall diet choices. You can eat equally bad anywhere, including at home.

This is true to a point.

Preparation of food is at times just as important (or more so) as the contents of the food.

Slicing potatoes like fries and broiling them still yields carbs, but it has none of the fatty oils that clog your arteries.

I'll agree with that. Deep frying anything makes for a disaster in people with a predisposition for high cholesterol and/or heart disease. In fact, I mentioned this in a later post here this morning... that the fries he ate were probably a large part of his problem.

The problem is, many will buy frozen fries and bake them, not knowing that many have that oil/fat added so they taste good.

What about cooking with olive oil? I've heard it isn't bad for your heart.

Nope, not bad at all. Problem is, most people don't deep fry with olive oil.

I wonder why that is, taste? price? that?s all I ever cook with, but the extent of my frying is cooking home fries or eggs in a frying pan.

Olive oil has a relatively low smoke point, and that's not exactly conducive for deep frying I assume. It's hard enough to work with on the stove at times. They do have olive oils that are refined in some way to be suitable for higher temperatures, but I've never used them.

At any rate, I'd wager that the above explanation is the reason.

 

[Red Dawn]

You can get healthy fast food items if you try, finding some that actually tastes good can be another story.

 

[Chaotic42]

I eat fast food quite a bit at my cholesterol was 151 the last time I checked. My uncle can look at a hamburger and the doctors have to start using multiples of Graham's number to measure his cholesterol.

It really seems to vary from person to person.

Anyway, good for you for getting healthy. I hope that you can stick with it, despite the juicy, cheesy goodness that calls you... beckons you... day after delicious day...

 

[Tobolo]

Originally posted by: monk3y

Originally posted by: Amused
"Fast food" has nothing to do with this. If you ate burgers and fries at home, you'd have the same problem.

You can eat healthy at most fast food places. It wasn't "fast food" that did that to you. It was your overall diet choices. You can eat equally bad anywhere, including at home.

What do you usually eat at McDonald's that's healthy? I'm just wondering... I also haven't stepped foot in a fast food place in AGES!!!

They have all kind of good salads now, along with yougurt and such. You can even get apple slices there now.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Tobolo

Originally posted by: monk3y

Originally posted by: Amused
"Fast food" has nothing to do with this. If you ate burgers and fries at home, you'd have the same problem.

You can eat healthy at most fast food places. It wasn't "fast food" that did that to you. It was your overall diet choices. You can eat equally bad anywhere, including at home.

What do you usually eat at McDonald's that's healthy? I'm just wondering... I also haven't stepped foot in a fast food place in AGES!!!

They have all kind of good salads now, along with yougurt and such. You can even get apple slices there now.

LOL, why not just go to the grocery store and buy preckaged salad, yogurt or apples for much cheaper?

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
I eat fast food quite a bit at my cholesterol was 151 the last time I checked. My uncle can look at a hamburger and the doctors have to start using multiples of Graham's number to measure his cholesterol.

It really seems to vary from person to person.

Anyway, good for you for getting healthy. I hope that you can stick with it, despite the juicy, cheesy goodness that calls you... beckons you... day after delicious day...

Yep, my numbers are fine and barely budge no matter how good, or bad I eat. High cholesterol at anything but advanced age is something someone is genetically predisposed to. Much like a diabetic they have to modify their diet to care for their condition.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Tobolo

Originally posted by: monk3y

Originally posted by: Amused
"Fast food" has nothing to do with this. If you ate burgers and fries at home, you'd have the same problem.

You can eat healthy at most fast food places. It wasn't "fast food" that did that to you. It was your overall diet choices. You can eat equally bad anywhere, including at home.

What do you usually eat at McDonald's that's healthy? I'm just wondering... I also haven't stepped foot in a fast food place in AGES!!!

They have all kind of good salads now, along with yougurt and such. You can even get apple slices there now.

LOL, why not just go to the grocery store and buy preckaged salad, yogurt or apples for much cheaper?

Because some people need something fast in a pinch sometimes?

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Tobolo

Originally posted by: monk3y

Originally posted by: Amused
"Fast food" has nothing to do with this. If you ate burgers and fries at home, you'd have the same problem.

You can eat healthy at most fast food places. It wasn't "fast food" that did that to you. It was your overall diet choices. You can eat equally bad anywhere, including at home.

What do you usually eat at McDonald's that's healthy? I'm just wondering... I also haven't stepped foot in a fast food place in AGES!!!

They have all kind of good salads now, along with yougurt and such. You can even get apple slices there now.

LOL, why not just go to the grocery store and buy preckaged salad, yogurt or apples for much cheaper?

Because some people need something fast in a pinch sometimes?

A 12 itelm limit Checkout at the Grocery Store isn't fast enough for you? Oh that's right you own some Fast Food Places:thumbsup:

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
A 12 itelm limit Checkout at the Grocery Store isn't fast enough for you? Oh that's right you own some Fast Food Places:thumbsup:

I own sandwich shops, yes.

At any rate, you still need to prepare those salads in a bag.

And if you're talking about the salads on a plate at supermarket delis, how are those any different than the ones at fast food places? Keep in mind than many, including the ones at McDonalds are very tasty.

I don't know about you, but I can get in and out of a fast food place a hell of a lot faster than a supermarket.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
A 12 itelm limit Checkout at the Grocery Store isn't fast enough for you? Oh that's right you own some Fast Food Places:thumbsup:

I own sandwich shops, yes.

At any rate, you still need to prepare those salads in a bag.

Oh noes, you have to open the bag and pour it out:roll:

And if you're talking about the salads on a plate at supermarket delis, how are those any different than the ones at fast food places? Keep in mind than many, including the ones at McDonalds are very tasty.

Yeah when you add all the goodies like Bacon Bits, Cheese, Croutons and such

I don't know about you, but I can get in and out of a fast food place a hell of a lot faster than a supermarket.

What 5 minutes compared to 7 minutes ?

I can understand going to a sandwich shop like yours to get a tasty healthy sandwich ad a fast food joint to get a greasy burger but to get a salad, yogurt or apple slice?

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: MazerRackham
So, here's a brief bloodwork history for yours truly:

August 2005:
Cholesterol: 309
Triglycerides: 1603

March 2006:
Cholesterol: 367
Triglycerides: 1640

August 2006:
Cholesterol: 179
Triglycerides: 235


How could this happen?? Around May/June this year I stopped eating fast food. Well, at least mostly stopped. And now look at my cholesterol and triglycerides!! I didn't believe it at first, but the results are real. Triglycerides should be below 150 mg/dl, but going from 1640 to 235 in the span of 5 months isn't too shabby. And cutting my cholesterol by MORE than half is also pretty good. Goes to show just how much crap food I was eating. I should have my own movie.

Now I need to lose about 30 lbs and I'll be set!!!

Anyone else have similar cholesterol-reduction stories??

For me.

July 2006
Cholesterol:243
Triglycerides:1030

August 2006:
Cholesterol:241
Triglycerides:470

Still working on it but my triglycerides were all messed up from medication I was on and the doctor is working on getting it corrected.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
A 12 itelm limit Checkout at the Grocery Store isn't fast enough for you? Oh that's right you own some Fast Food Places:thumbsup:

I own sandwich shops, yes.

At any rate, you still need to prepare those salads in a bag.

Oh noes, you have to open the bag and pour it out:roll:

And if you're talking about the salads on a plate at supermarket delis, how are those any different than the ones at fast food places? Keep in mind than many, including the ones at McDonalds are very tasty.

Yeah when you add all the goodies like Bacon Bits, Cheese, Croutons and such

I don't know about you, but I can get in and out of a fast food place a hell of a lot faster than a supermarket.

What 5 minutes compared to 7 minutes ?

I can understand going to a sandwich shop like yours to get a tasty healthy sandwich ad a fast food joint to get a greasy burger but to get a salad, yogurt or apple slice?

Sure, why not? People actually go to sit down restaurants and order salads. Shocking, huh?

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: monk3y

Originally posted by: Amused
"Fast food" has nothing to do with this. If you ate burgers and fries at home, you'd have the same problem.

You can eat healthy at most fast food places. It wasn't "fast food" that did that to you. It was your overall diet choices. You can eat equally bad anywhere, including at home.

What do you usually eat at McDonald's that's healthy? I'm just wondering... I also haven't stepped foot in a fast food place in AGES!!!

Get their salad without the dressing.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
A 12 itelm limit Checkout at the Grocery Store isn't fast enough for you? Oh that's right you own some Fast Food Places:thumbsup:

I own sandwich shops, yes.

At any rate, you still need to prepare those salads in a bag.

Oh noes, you have to open the bag and pour it out:roll:

And if you're talking about the salads on a plate at supermarket delis, how are those any different than the ones at fast food places? Keep in mind than many, including the ones at McDonalds are very tasty.

Yeah when you add all the goodies like Bacon Bits, Cheese, Croutons and such

I don't know about you, but I can get in and out of a fast food place a hell of a lot faster than a supermarket.

What 5 minutes compared to 7 minutes ?

I can understand going to a sandwich shop like yours to get a tasty healthy sandwich ad a fast food joint to get a greasy burger but to get a salad, yogurt or apple slice?

Sure, why not? People actually go to sit down restaurants and order salads. Shocking, huh?

Nope, those Salads take time to prepare and are made by Chefs or Cooks, not some Pimple Farmer with crusty hands.

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: Amused
"Fast food" has nothing to do with this. If you ate burgers and fries at home, you'd have the same problem.

You can eat healthy at most fast food places. It wasn't "fast food" that did that to you. It was your overall diet choices. You can eat equally bad anywhere, including at home.

:beer:

 

[TheAdvocate]

Originally posted by: Amused
The myth here is that a hamburger at a fast food place is any less healthy than a burger anywhere else. That's just not true.

Actually, it is. Fast food burgers and fries are injected with very controlled chemcial cocktails deisgned to get you addicted to the food (mainly through your sense of smell, not taste). Chicken sandwiches are pumped full of phosphates, and other chemicals. A burger pattied from 80% lean ground chuck at home, or a homemade chicken sandwich (made from a bonesless breast from the local supermaket, even if marinated and spiced) are far more healthy from the stanpdoint of chemicial processing. Also, they tend to contain a LOT less fat due in part to the meat itself and the preparation style (most people inadvertently grill out a lot of fat from a hamburger on the webber at home - doesnt taste as good, but it's healthier), especially if they are using something like a foreman grill, which does improve the healthiness of your food. McDonald's fries theyre ultra-fatty sorburgers. That burger is miles away from the one you'd make at home.

French fries though - you're right about those. They're pretty much all terrible for you, because almost no one cuts & bakes their own fries. A processed bag of fries from the supermarket isn't a whole lote different from what you get at a fast food joint.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Nope, those Salads take time to prepare and are made by Chefs or Cooks, not some Pimple Farmer with crusty hands.

Have you looked in the kitchen of your local sit down restaurants?

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: TheAdvocate

Originally posted by: Amused
The myth here is that a hamburger at a fast food place is any less healthy than a burger anywhere else. That's just not true.

Actually, it is. Fast food burgers and fries are injected with very controlled chemcial cocktails deisgned to get you addicted to the food (mainly through your sense of smell, not taste). Chicken sandwiches are pumped full of phosphates, and other chemicals. A burger pattied from 80% lean ground chuck at home, or a homemade chicken sandwich (made from a bonesless breast from the local supermaket, even if marinated and spiced) are far more healthy from the stanpdoint of chemicial processing. Also, they tend to contain a LOT less fat due in part to the meat itself and the preparation style (most people inadvertently grill out a lot of fat from a hamburger on the webber at home - doesnt taste as good, but it's healthier), especially if they are using something like a foreman grill, which does improve the healthiness of your food. McDonald's fries theyre ultra-fatty sorburgers. That burger is miles away from the one you'd make at home.

Paranoia will destroy ya.