Fast Food = Not (always) So Bad

Today, we all know the dangers of fast food. Films like Supersize Me and Fast Food Nation have brought the dangers and health pitfalls of consuming fast food to the forefront of our culture. The shoppers at your local co-op, meanwhile, feel great about buying everything organic: even ridiculously fattening chocolate cookies and genetically modified soybean products that may or may not lead to cancer. But - honestly - there is nothing wrong with places like Wendy's, Burger King, or even McDonalds.

Am I encouraging you to order a large triple bacon deluxe burger with large fries and a large soda? No. But I am letting you know that you can eat pretty well at these joints, as long as you know what to order.

Today, David and I ate at Wendy's. Here's what I got:

Small chili = 220 calories / 7g fat
Half-size Apple Pecan Chicken Salad w. Pomegranate Vinaigrette = 240 calories / 9g fat ( I did not eat the candied pecans that come in a little pouch with the salad...however, these would only add 100 calories and 9g of fat).

This whole meal only put me at 460 calories and 16g fat. In my opinion, not bad!

People will argue, "What's the point of eating at a fast food joint if you're going to eat a small chili and half a salad?" The point is that you do have options at fast food restaurants. For all the bad press fast food gets, the chain restaurants are trying to make healthy choices accessible to everyone.

For example, Wendy's website has a "calorie calculator" so you can track everything from calories and fat to sodium and sugar in all of their products. You can even customize each meal to your liking (mayo vs. no mayo) and see how your choices change the nutritional stats. And, to top it all off, Wendy's is now offering half salads and side items - including chili, baked potatoes, and fruits - as "value meals" in the same way that you can order a burger and fries at a decent price. 

So the next time someone at your local co-op sneers at the mere mention of fast food, you should inform them that your calorie-conscious, well-balanced fast food meal is (in all actuality) healthier than their sugar-laden organic Oreos and overly-processed tofu products ;)