Yes, you will discover easy fast food, but you could have to do your homework.
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Common convenience foods
Packaged, prepared foods are available many forms: boxed, dry items reminiscent of quick pasta and rice mix; canned foods, reminiscent of soup or ravioli; or frozen meals, reminiscent of single frozen dinners or “family-sized” lasagna.
All of those are frequently loaded with calories, salt, saturated and trans fats, sugar, refined carbohydrates, additives and preservatives. “If you eat this kind of fast food once in a while, it's not the worst thing, but if you start eating a lot of it, it can lead to weight gain and health problems with it. risks, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease,” says McManus.
And don't think that takeout is the reply either. “The same problem with 'to-go' food. It's fast and it's hot, but it's probably salty, greasy, and high in calories,” McManus says.
The healthy version
Some convenience foods are available healthier versions. However, finding them requires a little bit of detective work. Start with ingredient lists. “The fewer ingredients, the better, and make sure real foods are on the list, whether it's meat or vegetables,” says McManus. If there’s any added sugar, it needs to be one among the last ingredients, as ingredients are listed by quantity.
Next stop: the Nutrition Facts label. McManus recommends taking a look at the label and selecting entrees with serving sizes that provide 600 calories or less. 5 or more grams of fiber; 500 or less milligrams of sodium; zero grams of trans fat; 5 or less grams of saturated fat; And zero grams of sugar. (See “What to Look for in a Healthy Prepared Interior.”)
What to Look for in a Healthy Prepared Interior |
|
|
The label says… |
find… |
|
Calories |
600 or less |
|
Fiber |
5 grams or more |
|
Sodium |
500 mg or less |
|
Trans fats |
0 grams |
|
Saturated fat |
5 grams or less |
|
thanks |
0 grams |
Billing
Look for dry foods, reminiscent of whole-grain cereals (shredded wheat or rolled oats); frozen or canned vegetables (without salt); canned tuna or salmon; some frozen fish or shrimp; And some frozen entrees, often from corporations that promote the incontrovertible fact that they use organic ingredients. It won't take long to microwave a fish fillet and open a can of green beans or heat up a nutritious frozen dinner.
Better yet, start fascinated about fresh meals you may prepare within the meantime, or frozen meals you've made yourself you could reheat on the go (see “Your ' Fast Food' Make It Yourself”” ).
Make your personal “fast food”.
McManus also suggests keeping healthy snacks readily available. “Keep a list of the foods you fill up on each week,” McManus says. Ideas include low-fat, unsweetened yogurt. whole fruit; The hummus and snack packages you collect each week are stuffed with nuts, whole-wheat crackers, or chopped vegetables. “Having these foods on hand is the key,” McManus says. “It just takes a little bit of planning.” But in the long term, it's healthier, and it's cheaper.” |
