What is it about fast food that Americans love? Is it the fact that they don’t have to cook the meals themselves when their busy schedules demand so much? Perhaps, it is the concept of having to pay less than $8 for dinner that is so appealing. Maybe, it is the little plastic toy figurines that make the experience so enticing.
Whatever the reason may be, it is unlikely that the high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity, which coincide with fast food dieting according to the Center for Young Women’s Health, play a role in the American burger and fry infatuation.
Seeing as how one in four Americans eats fast food everyday, according to HelpGuide.org, it is doubtful that this drive-in devotion will end anytime soon.
Taking note of America’s tendency to go weak in the knees by the very sound of the term “Happy Meal” or “Big-Mac,” Tracy Minkin and Brittani Renaud of Health magazine compiled a list of America’s Top 10 Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants. So, the next time you’re craving a little drive through delight, try one of these eateries.
Coming in at number 10 is Taco del Mar. Minkin and Renaud praised the chain for its whole wheat tortillas, its 320 calorie burritos and the restaurant’s choice to ban lard from the beans. You can visit the website of this burrito business at tacodelmar.com and click on the “nutritional information” button to learn how to eat more efficiently at the establishment, such as by ordering fish tacos instead of beef to reduce your sodium intake.
McDonald’s receives eighth place in this restaurant ranking. While Minkin and Renaud warn customers about portion control, the two critics applaud Mickey D’s for its Happy Meal alternatives (you can now order apple dippers instead of fries and replace soft drinks with low fat milk or juice) and low cal, high-protein Snack Wraps.
Furthermore, McDonald’s lists its nutritional information on the back of its tray sheets and on its website http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com, so no more excuses when you start tipping the scale after eating a Double-Quarter Pounder with Cheese – that bad boy comes to a whopping total of 740 calories according to the website.
Minkin and Renaud rank the Corner Bakery Café as number five. The two Health magazine connoisseurs commend the restaurant’s breakfast items, particularly the Farmer’s Scrambler (a 260 calorie dish, when ordered with egg whites, consisting of peppers, onions, mushrooms, potatoes and cheese). This charming café is also ranked as “One of the 10 Best Fast-Casual Restaurants in America” by Parent’s Magazine, according to the Corner Bakery’s website cornerbakerycafe.com.
Health magazine names Panera Bread as the contender of America’s healthiest fast-food chains. One of the restaurant’s most appealing features is the portion control. With Panera Bread’s half sandwich and salad deals, choosing an adequate size meal is simple. For instance, a half size Cesar salad accumulates 200 calories and 30 percent of the recommended amount of Vitamin A, according to paneranutrition.com.
Minkin and Renaud also value the fact that Panera Bread carries an array of trim and tasty sides including apples, fruit cups, baked potato chips and whole grain baguettes. With a menu as nectarous and nutritious as Panera Bread’s, it is no surprise that this soup and salad shop receives first place.
The next time you find yourself driving down the strip of fast-food chains or perusing the food court at the mall, try to choose one of these eateries for a healthier meal. Remember, these restaurants, just like any other dining establishments, have nutritious and detrimental options; it is up to you to regulate your portions and your calorie intake.
To review the complete listing of America’s Top 10 Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants, visit http://living.health.com.
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