Is Healthy Fast Food Any Better?

Fast food restaurants are not in the business of serving organic, wholesome, nutrition-dense foods at dirt-cheap prices. But, that’s what you need if you’re aiming for optimal health. You may not necessarily get it dirt cheap, but you can eat healthy, even if you’re on a budget. If you figure out what you would spend on health care once your health has been neglected, eating organic suddenly seems like the least expensive option.

I do applaud fast food restaurants for their efforts to move their wares in a more healthy direction. However, they are still missing the mark.

Researchers have found that eating fast food just twice a week could double your chances of developing insulin resistance, which often leads to full-blown diabetes, while packing on 10 extra pounds.

Research by the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf in Germany found so-called “healthy” fast food alternatives to have the same effect on the cardiovascular system as standard fast food meals.

Twenty-four healthy volunteers with an average age of 32 years, ate one of three fast food meals during one week, a different meal the second week, and the remaining meal the third week. The fast food meals consisted of:

1. Beef burger, fries, ketchup, lemon-flavored carbonated drink
2. Vegetarian burger, fries, ketchup, lemon-flavored carbonated drink
3. Vegetarian burger, salad, fruit, yogurt, orange juice

Surprisingly, according to lead investigator Dr. Tanja K. Rudolph, endothelial function was adversely affected within 2 to 4 hours after eating any of these three meals, with no statistically significant differences between them.

All three meals also had negative impact on other cardiovascular disease markers.

Endothelial cells line the inside of your blood vessels. These cells control blood flow by regulating the dilation of the blood vessels. When these endothelial cells are impaired, it can lead to high blood pressure or atherosclerosis (clogging of the arteries), which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

According to Dr. Rudolph, "You can not prevent the harmful effects of fast food to the vascular system if you only add 'healthy components.'”



The absolute best thing you can do for yourself and your family is to take control of your kitchen and the food being prepared in it. If you want to get or stay healthy, learning to prepare your own food is one of the best prescriptions out there. Is exchanging convenience for your health a “bargain”?

If you're thinking that you truly don't have the time to do this, don't miss my past blog, "Easy ways to Eat Better Even When You Don't Have the Time".