Apr 21, 2009 10:40 pm US/Central
How To Make Healthy Choices In Fast Food Chains
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
In these lean economic times, more and more fast food restaurants are cutting the fat. CBS 2's Vince Gerasole reports on how it's all aimed at cooking up a healthier bottom line.
A family of four can eat at a fast food restaurant for under $20. Good news for thin wallets, bad news for those trying to ward off the fat. Now fast food chains are in a race to appeal to the weight-conscious and budget-challenged . Here's the skinny on what they're serving up.
If you're chicken to eat friend chicken, KFC has now cooked up a grilled version with the same herbs and spices. Six-piece buckets side-by-side show the new option is a bit smaller in volume, but the calorie difference is sizable: 740 calories for 2 pieces of original recipe compared with only 360 calories for the grilled. If you remove the skin on either selection, you're doing yourself a healthy favor, too.
For those trying to ward off a belly, Potbelly's is catering to your cravings. Order a turkey sub at the sandwich chain and you'll now have three types to choose from: the Skinny and thin-cut varieties feature less bread and smaller portions of meat and cheese.
In spite of these new offerings, the folks at Weight Watchers say it is possible to eat at standard fast food restaurants and make tasty healthier choices. Ask Stuart Levin who just lost 40 pounds.
"You have to be kind of picky," Levin said.
In other words, take your standard burger. You can undress the extra layers of breads and sauces for a less-fattening choice. Consider portion size, too.
"You don't have to deny yourself anything that you have a taste for," Levin said.
Drink plenty of water with your fast food meal to fill you up, and find beverage substitutions to lower the caloric bottom line. The calorie savings with this substitution is sizable. A triple thick McDonald's vanilla shake is about 1,060 calories, while a sugar- free vanilla skim latte is only 110 calories.
"You just have to make sure that they give you the things that you want to have and leave out the stuff that you think is bad for you," Levin said.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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