Fast food is a lifesaver when your stomach needs food as quickly as possible. Thanks to amazingly efficient processes and plenty of ready-made foods, you can enjoy a complete meal in less time than you could cook it yourself. Nearly 40% of Americans eat fast food on any given day. It is unlikely that the fast food diet will go away anytime soon.
Unfortunately, the medical literature does not support frequent fast food eating when it comes to managing cholesterol. journal of nutrition, weekly fast food consumption is associated with elevated levels of both LDL “bad” cholesterol and triglyceride levels. These are two consequences that most people with elevated cholesterol want to avoid.
This is because fast food items are not always made with the best ingredients for people with high cholesterol. Experts recommend a diet consisting of a variety of produce, low in saturated fat, and sodium-restricted to help lower cholesterol. Limiting fried foods is also common for those trying to lower cholesterol. And since juicy burgers, crispy fries, and sweet sodas are the quintessential fast-food pairing, frequent trips to fast-food joints are a no-brainer for cardiologists and other heart-health professionals. It’s safe to assume that it’s not a general recommendation by the house.
Among the many menu choices available at popular fast food restaurants, there are some that are better for people with high cholesterol than others. Doing so and sticking to dishes that do not contain large amounts of fatty meat are better choices for people with high cholesterol.
If you’re someone who frequents fast food joints for quick meals and has high cholesterol, here are six orders to avoid and six better options to help keep your heart healthy.
Made with a three-quarter pound of beef, cheese sauce, bacon jam, and topped with fried onions, bacon slices, and cheese, this burger is loaded with saturated fat and sodium. , and other nutritional factors that people with high cholesterol should limit.
Just one of these burgers fuels the body with a whopping 42 grams of saturated fat, the type of fat that tends to raise LDL cholesterol levels. For reference, the American Heart Association recommends that saturated fats make up only 5% to 6% of the total calories you consume in a day. So if you follow a 2,000 calorie diet, you should be consuming about 13 grams of saturated fat per day. In other words, this sandwich is the antithesis of what you should eat if you have high cholesterol.
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This salad is made with real fruits, vegetables, and grilled chicken breast, making it a great addition to your cholesterol-lowering diet. You can, but even small amounts of these crunchy additions won’t have much of an effect on your heart health.
Sure, starting your day with sausage, French fries, and buttery biscuits sounds delicious, but leaning into this big brekkie can help you shed 24 grams of saturated fat per day. Plus, because this breakfast doesn’t contain any fruits, vegetables, nuts, or seeds, you may be missing important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help keep your heart healthy. I have.
McDonald’s fruit and maple oatmeal isn’t the best oatmeal on the planet for heart health, but it’s so good because it’s made from real oats. It contains unique fiber and can help lower cholesterol levels. So including a breakfast made with oats like this oatmeal can be a heart-healthy choice.
Pro tip: Add just a few toppings to your bowl of oatmeal to reduce your sugar intake (brown sugar and dried fruit can make this oatmeal a sugar bomb!).
If you opt for the Footlong sub, this delicious combo will give you 22 grams of saturated fat and about 60 grams of total fat. It’s not heaven.
Subway has an impressive salad menu, and you can mix and match veggies to your liking. Just choose an oil-based dressing instead of a creamy dressing and you’re good to go.
Cheeseburgers can be part of a well-balanced and healthy diet, but eating an oversized cheeseburger can give your body too many nutrients that make it uncomfortable. . With about 40 grams of saturated fat, 2.8 grams of trans fat, and over 2,200 milligrams of sodium, this sandwich isn’t exactly a heart-healthy choice.
There is no rule that adults should not eat children’s meals. If you crave a burger, this meal comes in reasonable serving sizes and does not contain creamy or high-fat toppings. , juice can be replaced with non-fat milk.
Seafood is one of the best things people can eat to support heart health. Between the micronutrients found in lean protein, omega-3s, and seafood, it’s no wonder the American Heart Association recommends people include two servings of fish each week in their diet.
But if you think a fried fish platter with fried fries and hushpuppies “counts” as an acceptable seafood offering, think again. However, the association clearly states that fish should not be fried to follow their suggestions.
So Long John Silver’s Pacific Cod Platter is made with real fish, but battered and deep-fried, making it less desirable for those keeping their cholesterol levels under control. There are many fried foods on the side, so it’s a dish you’ll want to try once in a while.
Salmon is a cold-water fatty fish that is one of the best sources of DHA omega-3 fatty acids. And since non-fried fish intake has been linked to lower LDL cholesterol, opting for this fast-food fish dinner could be one of the best choices you can make to support heart health. The side dishes include the standard green beans, corn, and rice, which are well-balanced dishes that contain important nutrients without being fried.
There’s no denying that there are few things more comforting and delicious than eating a well-made chicken pot pie. There’s also no denying that KFC is a very tasty option.
But when it comes to nutrition, KFC pot pies are probably one of the worst things a person with high cholesterol can eat. Between its buttery, flaky crust and creamy sauce, this dish is known to be a major source of saturated fat, with 25 grams of this type of fat per serving. also has over 40 grams of total fat and 1,750 milligrams of sodium.
These thighs contain only 3 grams of saturated fat and less sodium than grilled breast options. A natural source of important nutrients such as choline and vitamin B12. Serve chicken with green beans and sweet kernel corn for a delicious, balanced meal.
