Does our favorite meal have the worst health profile (heart, cheap, how to)

[LittleDolphin]

Originally Posted by KaraG

Well, we cook burgers (no buns) and steaks at home, didn't realize you were talking about fast food places only.

Interesting - what are the favorite fast food meals in other countries?

Good question! I wonder the same--but with traditional dishes only and not considering the invasion of American fast food chains for burgers, fried chicken.

FYI: We're watching a Netflix series acted and filmed in Korea: The Extraordinary Attorney Woo (high recommend) and one of their fast food popular places features a dish Kimbap very similar to sushi rolls...rice wrapped in seaweed with various other fillings, mostly vegetarian with some fish/chicken. https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=kim...ages&ia=images

We noticed how slender the Koreans are--and with beautiful complexions...

[twinkletwinkle22]

Yes the health profile is fairly bad for cheeseburger, fries and soda.

But when I am out of town, not having time or knowledge of what Mom and Pop restaurants serve wholesome food I LOVE to find a BurgerKing and get a Whopper Jr, never soda yuk and rarely fries. I have never been disappointed although some franchises are better than others.

Happens about 4 times a year for me. Life isn't worth anything if I can't have "bad for me" food every now and then lol.

[fluffythewondercat]

When I can -- which isn't often -- I get an Impossible Burger at BK. I know it's not real beef, but maybe over time one less cow will be slaughtered because I bought plant-based burgers.

[WestieWhitie]

At least it’s not as bad for you as foie gras…

[farm fatale]

Originally Posted by KaraG

Interesting - what are the favorite fast food meals in other countries?

In Europe there is not this obsession with fast food. People enjoy cooking and eating at home. They buy fresh, in season ingredients, have small portions and buy good quality of meat, cheese, bread, veggies etc. They would not eat often in restaurants. I'm talking in general here. Would probably go there a few times/year for enjoying a nice meal with the family, choosing a very good restaurant. A meal can take a few hours, never in a rush (for good digestion).

Here in the US I find many to be obsessed with food. And other sensory things. I guess Americans were/are very much influenced by advertisement. It is indeed everywhere. I know many that say:"We are bombarded by food advertisement, everywhere you drive you see X and Y fast food chains or food/drinks billboards or when you watch tv it is everywhere. We just have to have it."

There is nothing to this extent in Europe. I don't even know what food chains are here in my area. I live in the US but I am from Europe. I never notice them while driving, they are invisible to me.

People are used to eating certain things, things that they ate when they were young children growing up. My American neighbor (she's almost 80 yo), every time when we drive near an In-N-Out Burger...the smell makes her crave a burger. She has to buy one. For me, the smell is rather unpleasant.

[artillery77]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

The typical burger and fries is definitely right up there with the worst meals for your health, with the amount of cholesterol and saturated fat in the burger, salt and trans fat in the fries. I love them as much as the next person, but limit my intake to maybe once a week. In my case fast food burgers are very infrequent, though. We prefer sit-down restaurants, especially bre-pub types like BJ's, Hops & Drops, or the Ram where they also serve beer, and the burgers are much better. Yes, I know that excessive alcohol can lead to chronic diseases, but I limit myself to one.

Chain pubs have amazing levels of sodium stuffed into their food...it makes you thirsty. BJ's is horrible. Almost all of their salads alone have more than your recommended daily intake of sodium (2300 but being moved to 1500 mg)....oh and that's pre-dressing for most.

The burgers....not only are they way above the limit....they are more than twice a McDonalds equivalent.

Want something small and healthy? How about a hand pulled turkey dip sandwich and fried....how about 4300 mg of sodium which should last you for two days.

Want to go all out with a rack of ribs....oh lord 7840 mg of sodium for your kidneys to somehow grind through.

But they wouldn't poison children would they? It's much better, Kids boneless wings with rootbeer glaze is 2230 mg of sodium. Makes a Pepsi's 34 mg seem downright healthy.

Just to make you aware. It's not the beer that's dangerous at pubs.

[KaraG]

Originally Posted by farm fatale

In Europe there is not this obsession with fast food. People enjoy cooking and eating at home. They buy fresh, in season ingredients, have small portions and buy good quality of meat, cheese, bread, veggies etc. They would not eat often in restaurants. I'm talking in general here. .

I think that's the way it is for most people in the US as wel, except I think a lot of people have been skipping the bread. I don't think there's an obsession with fast food here. Certainly no one I know. It seems common for others to point fingers at this invisible majority eating the SAD every day at fast food places.

I imagine for the majority here in the US, like posters are saying, it's a once in a while thing, maybe while traveling, having a tight schedule or a treat for the kids. And even so, most places offer healthier choices, like grilled chicken/salads.

[farm fatale]

If it's a once in a while thing, how come there are so many of them? Fast food places. They would just go bankrupt and disappear.

[lair8]

Originally Posted by LittleDolphin

Just idle curiosity...but my question is whether one of our national favorite meals--cheeseburger, French fries, soda--has the worst health/nutritional outcomes for our well-being?

I wonder how this meal compares with other nations' favorite meals??

No food should be judged in isolation. It should be judged purely in context of your diet as a whole, taking into account the calories, macros and micronutrients of everything you eat that day.

Eating a caloric meal is fine, if your other meals throughout the day are lower in calories. Eating low-protein foods is okay if you eat higher protein foods at other times in the day.

[lair8]

There's nothing inherently bad about burgers. Unlike fries and soda, at least it has a decent amount of protein and a light serving of veggies. And keep in mind, nobody is suggesting to eat burgers in isolation. I'm assuming you're also eating veggies, fruits and sources of protein throughout the day too.

Notice that in fast food places, over the years, the portion sizes of burgers remained the same or have gotten smaller. While french fries and soda portions have been supersized. This is telling.

I lost 100 lbs and I like to remind people that I go to Burger King more often now than when I was fat. I just order 1 burger but I skip the fries, soda and desserts.