FitSugar -- Healthy, happy you.

Burger King Ditches Trans Fat

FitSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0700

If you're a big fan of an occasional Whopper, you'll be happy to know that Burger King will be cooking with trans fat free cooking oil. By Nov. 1, in all of its restaurants nationwide, every item on the menu including baked goods will contain zero grams of artificial trans fat. This is big news for the nation's number two hamburger chain, and it's sure to make customers feel better about eating there.

Hydrogenated oils contain trans fat. The reason this fat is so bad for us is that it's proven to raise bad cholesterol levels in the body, lower good cholesterol, and can increase a person's risk for heart disease. Companies use this type of oil to increase the shelf life of products, to preserve flavor, and in the long run to save money.

Many customers enjoying foods made with the trans fat free oil are noticing no difference in taste, or they say the foods taste even better. Although it's been a slow process for Burger King to get on the trans fat free bandwagon (Taco Bell, KFC, and Wendy's have already made the switch), I say it's better late than never.

Quiz: Taco Bell's Volcano Taco

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0700

I had so much fun quizzing you all on Wendy's Baconator, I thought I'd "think outside the bun" for this quiz. Taco Bell's menu features a new item, the Volcano Taco. It comes with lava cheese sauce and a red hot colored taco shell. Let's see how this fiery item measures up nutritionally.

Wendy's Baconator: Just How Bad Is It?

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0700

The Baconator is not a new villain for Batman to battle, but simply: six strips of hickory smoked bacon piled high atop two quarter pound beef patties, topped with two slices of American cheese, mayo, and ketchup. This super burger is a creation of Wendy's, who claims to make "waaaay better fast food."

I know fast food can't always be avoided, but should you go out of your healthy way to avoid Wendy's Baconator? Take this quiz to find out.

Source

A Healthier Dunkin' Donuts Near You

FitSugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0700

People have been demanding healthier fare at restaurants these days and an unlikely hero has stepped up to the plate.

Dunkin' Donuts has added an entire new section to their menu called DDSmart. The new, healthier fare is supposed to have 25 percent fewer calories and less sugar, fat, and sodium compared to other products not on the DDSmart menu. And it should also contain ingredients that are nutritionally beneficial —a big departure from their traditional menu items . . . donuts.

From flatbread sandwiches to lite beverages (including coffees and smoothies), I'm pleased to see DDSmart added to the menu and would like to give it a try. What do you think? Will you be testing it out or should Dunkin' Donuts stick to making the donuts?

Source

LA Wants to Ban Fast Food For a Year

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Fast food joints are everywhere. It seems you can't drive a few miles in a city without seeing a Burger King, Taco Bell, or Mickey Ds. I've never had a personal problem with these establishments because I feel that people can make their own decisions about what they eat. It seems that Los Angeles doesn't want to give people the option though. South LA wants to ban fast-food restaurants for one whole year in the poorer neighborhoods. "Fast food" is being defined as those places that don't offer table service, and serve pre-prepared foods or ones that can be heated up quickly. Since obesity is becoming a huge problem, and there's a shortage of access to quality foods, the city wants to give other healthier restaurants a chance to move in. This ban has people's health in mind, but the restaurant industry thinks this idea is unfair. One restaurant owner said, "What's next — security guards at the door saying 'You're overweight, you can't have a cheeseburger'?"

So what do you think about this proposed ban? Do you think it's long overdue? Are you for the elimination of fast-food joints? Or do you think these types of restaurants should be allowed to remain open, being that people are responsible enough to make decisions about their own bodies? Tell me your opinion in the comment section below.

Source

Fast Food Trans Fat

FitSugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Another fast food restaurant is joining the "a little bit healthier" club. Take this quiz to see if you are up on your trans fat news!

Source

The Best News You'll Hear all Day . . .

FitSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 03:00:00 -0700

If you've ever had a point in your life where you've eaten a lot of fast food (I know I have) and worry about how certain fast food items can be highly toxic to the liver and other internal organs, then you'll be happy to know that new research believes damage can be reversed.

The issue is that a diet high in fat and sugar could cause serious damage to the liver and fast food is often high in both. Don't fret over those days in college when all you ate was fast food — here are some easy suggestions from the experts for undoing a high-fat, high-sugar diet:

Have only one fast-food meal a week.
Even when eating fast food, eat as healthfully as possible. Try the burger without mayonnaise and cheese, and avoid fries and sugary soft drinks. Try a grilled chicken sandwich, a salad with a lower-fat dressing and bottled water.
Exercise at least three times a week.
Ask your doctor to do a blood test to check liver enzymes – a key measure of the health of your liver.

Pretty simple, eh? I like that the suggestions are not meant to make you feel bad or stop eating fast food altogether, but to just pay attention to the foods you eat when you do and keep moderation in mind.

Source

NYC Chain Restaurants Required to Display Calories, Starting Monday

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 03:00:00 -0700

I applauded New York City when it banned trans fat from restaurants and started using healthier oils. I was psyched that fast food chains were also being required to post calorie counts on their menus but annoyed that McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's decided that rule didn't apply to them. So it went through the courts, and too bad for them, they're going to have to listen. A judge declared that this regulation is reasonable and will apply to restaurants in NYC that are part of chains with at least 15 outlets across the country. That includes fast-food places like McDonald’s and sit-down chains such as Olive Garden and T.G.I. Friday’s.

The calorie posting rule goes into effect this Monday, April 21. Some restaurants including Starbucks and Chipotle have already started to post calories on menus, but the Health Department won't start fining non-complying restaurants until June 3.

NYC is hoping that by displaying calories, consumers can make healthier choices (like deciding NOT to super-size it), and it will then help to reduce the prevalence of obesity and diabetes (type 2). New York City is the first US city to enact a regulation regarding displaying calories on menus, but Seattle and the state of California are both considering similar bills. Pretty awesome, huh? Do you think this displayed info will affect people's food decisions?

Source

Fast Food Mayhem

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Road tripping season is upon us. The road conditions are much improved and Spring fever drives us to spend time out and about wandering around. When it comes to food, you can't always pack your own, so when it comes to fast food you can pick the lesser evil. Here are a few questions comparing Arby's, McDonald's and Wendy's. So where are you going to eat?

McDonald's Is Going Organic!

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 02:00:00 -0700

I took a double take when I saw this commercial on TV last night. McDonald's is going organic? It's like an oxymoron, right? But it's true. They will be ditching their conventional veggies and serving only organic lettuce and tomato on their organic grass-fed beef burgers. Their French fries will be made with organic taters, and they'll even have packets of organic ketchup to dip them in.

They're also expanding their menu to include heart healthy veggie burgers made with tofu and soy cheese. Want to see a sample of their new menu? Then

Stamp of Approval: Au Bon Pain

FitSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:00:00 -0700

Look, it's not surprise that I am not the biggest fan of fast food restaurants. However, I do know that sometimes you just have to eat there so I am always on the hunt for healthier fast food joints and Au Bon Pain gets my stamp of approval.

Au Bon Pain provides Nutrition Kiosks, which allow guests to plan their meals before ordering them. You can sort the menu by a specific nutritional requirement (high fiber, high protein, low carb, low fat, low calories, etc.). They also launched Kids Nutrition Kiosk in their suburban and hospital locations. The children's version includes interactive games intended to teach the basics of making healthy meal choices. What's more? They've moved to using preservative-free chicken and they've recently introduced a new product line called Portions — a line of 14 dishes made fresh daily, packaged individually and with 200 or less calories per dish. And to bring it home, all products at Au Bon Pain have zero grams trans fat.

So next time you're going for fast food, you may want to think about stopping at Au Bon Pain. They have made every effort to help you become aware of the healthy choices they offer, all you have to do is choose them.

Top Healthy Fast Food Breakfast Choices

FitSugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 02:00:00 -0700

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day, but should you skip it if there is nothing but fast food joints on the horizon? Not so much. The good news is that Yahoo Food has done the dirty work for us and come up with the best fast food breakfast items at some of the most notorious fast food joints. You may be pleasantly surprised, so here are highlights on a few healthy fast food breakfast ideas:

McDonald's:

Fruit n' Yogurt Parfait with Granola: 160 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated), 5mg cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 1g fiber, 4g protein
Snack Size Fruit and Walnut Salad: 210 calories, 8g fat (1.5g saturated), 5mg cholesterol, 60mg sodium, 2g fiber, 4g protein

Starbucks:

Spinach, Roasted Tomato, Feta, and Egg Wrap: (It's a little high in fat but compensates with lots of fiber and protein.) 240 calories, 10g fat (3.5g saturated), 140mg cholesterol, 730mg sodium, 7g fiber, 13g protein
A Skinny Latte and a package of SB's dried fruit and nut mix: Latte (12-oz. "tall"): 90 calories, 0g fat (0g saturated), 5mg cholesterol, 125mg sodium, 0g fiber, 0g protein, Fruit/nut packet: 150 calories, 9g fat (1g saturated), 0mg cholesterol, 100mg sodium, 2g fiber, 4g protein

There are more including choices from Jamba Juice and Dunkin' Donuts so

Quiznos vs. Subway: Which Should You Order?

FitSugar — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 04:00:00 -0800

When it comes to eating a sammie, where should you go? Subway and Quiznos seem like they are equal footing in popularity, but what about calories? Take this quiz and see if your palate agrees with your desire to cut calories.

Fast Food Breakdown: Hamburgers

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 03:00:00 -0800

If you're on the road or in a rush, sometimes you can't avoid finding yourself in a fast food restaurant. Hamburgers are a pretty popular menu item, and since every fast food joint prepares them differently, it's hard to make the healthiest choice.

Want to see how these popular burgers compare? Then

Do You Agree With This Statement . . .

FitSugar — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:45:00 -0800

"I like the taste of fast food too much to give it up." Surprisingly enough, the United States is not the country who takes the title of biggest fan of fast food in the world. In the United Kingdom, 45 percent of people agreed with the statement "I like the taste of fast food too much to give it up", compared to 44 percent in the US. Does that warrant a w00t, w00t? Well, it is only one percentage point but at least it is something.Regardless, I am curious about you guys and how you would respond to the statement, so: "I like the taste of fast food too much to give it up" — agree or disagree?Source

Do You Agree With This Statement . . .

Agree.

Disagree.

Road Tripping: Healthy Eats For Your Travels

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:30:00 -0800

When you're on the road, eating healthy isn't exactly the first thing on your list. It'd be great if we could plan ahead, prepare meals and snacks before we hit the road, and stick them in a cooler, but you're probably so busy packing the car with presents and snow gear that you really don't have the time. So here are some tips:

Instead of eating fast food at rest stops, get off at an exit and look for a grocery store instead. You can buy fresh fruit and veggies, yogurt, nuts, cheese, and stuff to make sandwiches. Some places even have hot soups and salad bars.
If you have to eat at a fast-food joint, choose smaller sandwiches (go for the hamburger with one patty instead of three). Avoid the fried fish and the fried-chicken sandwiches. Broiled-chicken sandwiches are the best choice.
Choose healthier side orders such as a baked potato instead of french fries.
Choose grilled over deep-fried or breaded meats.
If it's available, go for a salad and get the dressing on the side.
While driving, if you're feeling tired, don't go for a coke or coffee to pick you up. Drink water and eat a healthy snack instead and you'll get a boost of sustained energy.

Safe travels!

Source

The Top 20 Fast Food Items Highest In Calories

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 07:30:00 -0800

My friends over at ACalorieCounter.com went through the nutrition facts of every single item from the menus of 25 popular fast food restaurants to put together a list of 272 fast food items highest in calories.

Here are the top 20 highest calories items from the list:

White Castle Chocolate Shake - Large (Louisville region): 1680
Nathan's Fish N Chips: 1537
Carl's Jr. Double Six Dollar Burger: 1520
Hardee's Monster Thickburger: 1420
Dairy Queen Large Choc. Chip Cookie Dough Blizzard: 1320
Hardee's Double Bacon Cheese Thickburger: 1300
Dairy Queen Large Chocolate Malt: 1300
Nathan's Chicken Tender Platter: 1300
Jack In The Box OREO Cookie Ice Cream Shake (24oz): 1290
Dairy Queen Chicken Strip Basket (6 piece): 1270

To see the rest of the list

Fast Food Breakdown Round Up

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 13:30:00 -0800

In honor of National Fast Food Day, I thought I would do a little round up of my nutritional breakdowns of many of the popular joints. Take heed: The fat and calories in many of the foods may upset your stomach a bit!

Last but not least:

French fries from your favorite restaurants

If you are still going to celebrate this day of fast food by eating at your fave restaurant, check out Fast Food Mayhem, my tips on how to order as healthy as possible. Or you could celebrate in a calorie-free way by taking Yum's I'm Lovin' It, Are You? Fast Food Quiz. By the way, I rocked the quiz!

Source

Fast Food Breakdown: French Fries

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:45:00 -0800

What is it about french fries that makes us crave them so? Is it the saltiness? The crispy outside and soft, warm inside? Is it that they make ketchup taste so good?

Well whatever the reason, people love them and fast-food joints know that. Unfortunately deep-fried foods aren't exactly healthy for us, which we know, but maybe seeing some actual numbers will help prevent us from ordering the super-size fries at Mickey D's next time.

Want to see the nutritional info? Then

WARNING: Hardee's Country Breakfast Burrito

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Hardee's, the chain that also brought us an 1100 calorie Southwest Chicken Salad, is assaulting health junkies once again with a new menu item to hit restaurants: the Country Breakfast Burrito.

This massive burrito is made from two omelets, five hashrounds (WTF are hashrounds?), cheddar cheese, and sausage gravy all wrapped in a tortilla. Don't go licking your lips just yet: This burrito packs in a whopping 920 calories, 23 grams of saturated fat, and about nearly 2000 milligrams of sodium. I am a big fan of everything in moderation, but I can honestly say that there is not any real reason for anyone to eat this for breakfast, or anytime really. I know a lot of us have it in our heads that breakfast burritos can be a healthy breakfast alternative, but this burrito could not be further from that — steer clear.

I tried to find a better alternative for breakfast when eating at Hardee's, and the best choice I could find is the Sunrise Croissant with Ham, which weighs in at 430 calories and 10 grams of saturated fat. Needless to say, I won't be eating breakfast there anytime soon.

Source

El Pollo Loco Breakdown

FitSugar — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Who doesn't love El Pollo Loco? Something about flame-grilled Mexican chicken is just super yummy. The good news is that you can still do El Pollo Loco on a diet, you just have to make some healthy choices while you're there.

In this breakdown I've taken the guess work out of the menu to show you items you should probably eat/avoid.

Source

Here's what you may want to AVOID...
Item	Calories	Fat (g)	Sat Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)	Sugar (g)
Original Pollo Bowl	540	4	1	1590	85	1
Chicken Wing (1)	90	5	2	2090	0	0
Chicken Thigh (1)	220	15	5	310	0	0
Chicken Tostada Salad	840	40	11	1390	76	4
Caesar Pollo Salad	520	38	7	980	17	6
Classic Chicken Burrito	500	14	6	1230	63	1
Grilled Chicken Nachos	1090	55	21	3040	99	7
French Fries	440	21	4	910	57	0
Ranch Dressing (1pkt)	230	24	4	390	2	2

Too see what you should eat (and see my ideal meal) just

Calorie Labeling Law Overturned

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:30:00 -0700

New York's fast food restaurants can now ignore a city law requiring fast food establishments to post calories counts on menu boards in restaurants as it has been overturned.

U.S. District Judge Richard Holwell ruled that the city had the power to require nutritional labeling, but the regulation at issue was pre-empted by a 1990 federal law that established nutritional labeling in the first place, which sets out guidelines for voluntary presentations of nutritional information, such as on tray papers or on Web sites.

Interesting turn of events and bravo to all those establishments that immediately complied. Personally, I was all for the calorie posting law. Sure in 1990, it was not mandatory, but was 30% of the country obese then?

Source

Fast Food: Teens vs. Twenty-somethings

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 13:30:00 -0700

We all succumb to fast food every once and a while. Some of us with more frequency than others.

So tell me if you think the following statement is true or false.

Source

McDonald's: Not Posting Calorie Counts on NYC Menu Boards

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:15:00 -0700

July 1st, 2007 marks the day that restaurants in New York City are required to begin posting calorie counts on menus in type that is at least as large as the price. Some restaurants, however, are not having it.

Word has it that Burger King, McDonald’s and Wendy’s are among the chains planning to defy New York City’s new rule (Taco Bell and KFC aren’t commenting on the matter), while waiting on a lawsuit in federal court they hope will get the new regulation thrown out. The restaurants say that the new regulation makes for a massive eye sore on a menu board in their NYC eateries, but a healthy advocacy group says that the restaurants are just afraid that when people see these eye-popping calorie numbers, they might switch to a smaller size and lose revenue.

In the end the city won’t fine anyone for violating the rule until October 2007, so I think it's going to be an ugly battle until then.

Source

Healthier Fare or Big Burger: Which Do You REALLY Choose?

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 07:30:00 -0700

A recent report on CNNMoney has found conflicting reports because the media claims that we (as consumers) are looking for healthier fare in restaurants, but the restaurants claim we are actually consuming the big, juicy burger. Hum...I figured why not ask you guys, and be honest! Even though you say you're trying to eat healthier, do you just end up ordering a big burger anyway?Source

Healthier Fare or Big Burger: Which Do You REALLY Choose?

Healthier Food

Burger

Other - Tell us below

Arby's Breakdown

FitSugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Sometimes you may have Arby's on the brain...roast beef can be hard to resist. For those days when you're feeling like making a stop, check out this nutritional breakdown before acting on that impulse.

Meal	Calories	Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)	Sugar (g)
Arby's Melt	302	12	921	36	5
Beef'n Cheddar Sandwich	445	21	1274	44	8
Regular Roast Beef Sandwich	320	14	953	34	5
Chicken Fillet Sandwich - Grilled	414	17	913	36	7
Chicken Salad w/ Pecans Wrap	638	38	1199	48	3
French Dip Sandwich	445	21	1274	44	8
Classic Italian Toasted Sub	951	54	2777	71	5
Chicken Club Salad (no dressing)	487	25	1220	31	3
Santa Fe Salad w/ Grilled Chicken (no dressing)	283	9	521	21	8
Roast Turkey & Swiss Sandwich	725	30	1788	75	17

Now I know that Arby's is famous for its shakes, sauces and fries so to see the breakdown on those menu items,

Panera Bread Breakdown

FitSugar — Fri, 25 May 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Oftentimes we think of sandwich/bread shops as a healthier alternative to say, McDonald's. While this may be the case trans fat wise, that's about it. So before heading out to grab a bite at Panera Bread, you may want to check out this breakdown first.

To see the nutritional breakdowns of popular Panera Bread items

Ordinary Foods, Extraordinary Sodium

FitSugar — Fri, 18 May 2007 11:00:00 -0700

Are your food choices giving you more salt than you bargained for? The RDI of salt is no more than 2,300 mg of sodium (or 6 teaspoons) a day. A diet high in sodium can lead to high blood pressure which can lead to heart disease. One simple way to reduce your sodium intake is by watching out for ordinary foods with extraordinary sodium counts.

Condiments: Margarine, butter, mayonnaise, ketchup, pasta sauces, soy sauces and dressings.
Processed foods: Crackers, chips, pickles, canned vegetables and soup and lunch meats.
Meats: Red meats and meats like bacon and ham tend to be higher in sodium.
Fast foods: A lot of items from fast food restaurants are loaded with shocking amounts of sodium.

Fit's Tip: Fresh is always best for getting lower sodium.

Jimmy John's Breakdown

FitSugar — Wed, 09 May 2007 07:30:00 -0700

If you've ever experienced Jimmy John's, home of the world's greatest gourmet sandwich, you've probably enjoyed it. I even find myself craving a sandwich from there every once in a while...

Problem is those sandwiches may seem healthy with all their sprouts and lettuce spilling out, but they are however, quite the opposite. So, not to ruin your fun, but I've broken down the most popular Jimmy John's sandwiches for you in this breakdown.

Sandwich	Calories	Fat (g)	Carbs (g)	Sodium (mg)
#4 Turkey Tom	554	26	53	1341
#5 Billy Club	909	44	75	2326
#9 Italian Night Club	1017	57	76	2556
#12 Beach Club	838	41	76	1666
#13 Veggie Club	1141	70	78	1779

*All sandwiches are calculated with french bread as that is JJ's standard bread on all sandwiches.

Yikes! Can't live without a Jimmy John's fix but want to know how to make it healthier? Then

No Wonder Kids Are Fat

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:30:00 -0700

Have you watched TV lately? Prime time evening shows are overflowing with commercials advertising junk food. Pizza, ice cream, candy bars, soda, sodium-filled snacks, and fast food. Where are the ads with fresh salads, fruits and whole grain snacks? Can you blame kids for the unhealthy choices they make when all they're exposed to is crap?

For years, health officials have warned us that kids were flooded with too many commercials glorifying unhealthy foods. Finally researchers studied the effects of these commercials.

Researchers monitored thirteen TV networks from late May to early September of 2005. On average, children ages 8-12 saw about 21 food commercials a day - that's 7,600 a year.

Of the food ads, 34% were for candy and snacks, 29% for cereal, 10% for drinks, 10% for fast food, 4% for dairy, 4% for prepared meals, and the rest for breads, pastries, and restaurants.

In December 2005, The Institute of Medicine concluded that these food commercials contradicted dietary guidelines for children and were putting children's health at risk. The Institute recommended that these companies change their marketing strategies and gear them towards healthier choices for impressionable and budding consumers.

In November, 10 major food and beverage companies including Coco-Cola Co., McDonald's, and PepsiCo Inc., agreed to voluntarily devote at least half of their kid-directed ads towards advertising healthier diets and lifestyles.

Don't get too excited just yet. Nothing has really changed so far, but researchers believe that this study that was recently released will help jumpstart these companies into following through with their health kick.

Panda Express Breakdown

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 08:45:00 -0700

With all this talk about Chinese food having a bad rep, I thought it would be appropriate to break down so called gourmet Chinese food, Panda Express.

**You should probably opt for these options:**
	Calories	Fat (g)	Trans Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)
Mixed Veggies	90	7	0	110	8
Mushroom Chicken	130	6	0	520	8

*The numbers above are all done without rice.

Want to know what you definitely shouldn't order (including sides) then,

Those Sneaky Little Fast Food Places...

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 13:00:00 -0800

As you know already, NYC has imposed a new rule that requires eateries to list calorie counts on their menu boards, right next to the price. However, health officials noted that the regulation would only apply to restaurants that already make calorie information available voluntarily.

It is being reported that in light of this new legislation, three major players in the fast food industry - Wendy's, White Castle and Quiznos - have pulled nutritional information from some restaurants or from their Web sites in order to avoid having to list the caloric info. Wendy's pulled all caloric information from posters and fliers at its New York eateries. Quiznos and White Castle deactivated the pages on their Web site that offered all types of nutritional information.

To me, it just doesn't seem right. I can understand that the eateries saw a way around the rule (which has been criticized for being misguided) and went for it, but still, play nice already.

Long John Silver's Breakdown

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 09:30:00 -0800

Some people love getting fish fast and cheap. I don't happen to be one of those people (frozen fish sticks are enough to make me feel ill) but if you are, check out this breakdown before your next trip to Long John Silver's.

**If you're choosing between Battered Fish and Baked Cod, then consider this:**
	Calories	Fat (g)	Trans Fat	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)
Baked Cod (1)	120	4.5	0	240	1
Battered Fish (1)	260	16	4.5	790	17

**If you're choosing between the salads, then consider this:**
	Calories	Fat (g)	Trans Fat	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)
Shrimp & Seafood* **	140	1.5	0	530	19
Crispy Chicken Cobb*	510	30	6.5	1550	35

* No Dressing
** No croutons or crumblies, but with extra tomatoes & carrots added

**If you're choosing between sides, then consider this:**
	Calories	Fat (g)	Trans Fat	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)
Corn Cobbette (1)	90	3	0	0	14
Hushpuppy (1)	60	2.5	1	200	9
Tartar Sauce (1 oz)	100	9	0	250	4

There are more tips on eating out, so

Prince Charles vs. McDonald's: Should McD's Be Banned?

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 07:30:00 -0800

Recent statements made by Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, on banning McDonald's has gotten the company who coined the term happy meal, well, unhappy. McDonald's claims that the future king must not have noticed all the efforts they are making toward building a healthier menu and supporting sustainable agriculture. (I can't say I've noticed the latter either, but still).Prince Charles was speaking from the heart as he has always been an advocate of organic food -- He even published a cookbook that rebelled against what he called, in his warm Prince Charles manner, the "soulless, mass-produced food that had come to dominate the modern diet." Tough call on this one. I mean McDonald's has added carrot sticks to their menu, but Chuck is the Prince of Wales... Whose side are you on -- Should McDonald's be banned?

Prince Charles vs. McDonald's: Should McD's Be Banned?

Prince Charles -- Ban McDonald's!

McDonald's -- Not even a king can take away my Big Mac!

I can't pick a side.

Other. Tell us below!

World's Fattest Countries Revealed

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 03:30:00 -0800

Did you know that there are currently 1.6 billion overweight adults in the world?

Forget all this small city talk, the World Health Organization (WHO) ranks the countries with the greatest percentage of overweight people of its adult population (ages 15+).

The United States used to take the cake (no pun intended) on this list but experts say it is not surprising that people across the globe are increasingly becoming overweight. They place the blame on urbanization and the influx of Western ways of life including fast food choices, little exercise and stressful jobs. This list made me realize that not only is the population growing (in mass), that I really need to brush up on my geography skills.

1. Nauru (94.5%)
2. Micronesia, Federated States of (91.1%)
3. Cook Islands (90.9%)
4. Tonga (90.8%)
5. Niue (81.7%)
6. Samoa (80.4%)
7. Palau (78.4%)
8. Kuwait 74.2%)
9. United States (74.1%)
10. Kiribati (73.6%)
11. Dominica (71.0%)
12. Barbados (69.7%)
13. Argentina (69.4%)
14. Egypt (69.4%)
15. Malta (68.7%)
16. Greece (68.5%)
17. New Zealand (68.4%)
18. United Arab Emirates (68.3%)
19. Mexico (68.1%)
20. Trinidad and Tobago (67.9%)
21. Australia (67.4%)
22. Belarus (66.8%)
23. Chile (65.3%)
24. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) (65.2%)
25. Seychelles (64.6%)

Theres 75 more, so

Chipotle Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 11:00:00 -0800

Many of us pick fast food places like Chipotle because we think that it is the healthy alternative to other restaurants on the go. It can be, but you have to choose wisely so before you head out to Chipotle, I've broken the menu down from the nutrition chart below.

So say you get a burrito with chicken, rice, black beans, cheese, sour cream and guacamole; you're looking at about 1,319 calories. [gasp]

Do yourself a favor and get a bowl (no wrap), with chicken and fajita veggies, tomato salsa and lettuce -- Skip the rice, cheese, sour cream and guacamole and it will only be 349 calories.

Popeyes Breakdown

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 08:30:00 -0800

It's amazing how a fast food joint can take a moniker of a man obsessed with spinach and make it stand for greasy, fried chicken. Despite my lack of love for Popeyes, people do fancy it so before you make a chicken and biscuits run, let me breakdown some of the most beloved menu items.

You should probably go for the: Spicy Chicken Breast (skinless and breading removed) which has only 120 calories, less than 1 gram of carbs, 2 grams of fat, 0 grams of trans fat and 380 mg of sodium.

You should steer clear of the: Mild Chicken Thighs at 280 calories, 7 grams of carbs, 20 grams of fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat and 710 mg of sodium. Most people will eat two thighs, doubling your numbers and bringing your calories to a whooping 560 calories. If you can't resist a thigh, then go skinless with the breading removed to cut the calories down to 120.

Whatever you do, do not get the: Deluxe Sandwich (mild or spicy) because it has 630 calories, 53 grams of carbs, 31 grams of fat, 1 gram of trans fat and 1480 mg of sodium.

Just because you're at Popeyes does not mean you should go for: a Biscuit as one has 240 calories. The infamous Red Beans & Rice has 320 calories per serving, so stay away from that too.

Fit's Tip: When getting chicken, make it skinless and remove the breading to lose a lot of calories. When getting a side, opt for the green beans, which only have 70 calories per serving.

Taco Bell Breakdown

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 09:15:00 -0800

Everyone has made a run for the border at some point or another. To make sure you're prepared for your next trip to Taco Bell, I've broken down some of the popular menu items.

You should probably stick to the Crunchy Taco's Fresco Style (no cheese) as one has 150 calories, 7 grams of fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat, 360 mg of sodium and 14 grams of carbs. (*The soft taco fresco style weighs in with 190 calories)

You could also go for the Chicken Gordita Fresco Style which has 230 calories, 6 grams of fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 570 mg of sodium and 29 grams of carbs.

You definitely do not want to get the Fiesta Taco Salad as it packs in 860 calories, 46 grams of fat, 5 grams of trans fat, 1800 mg of sodium and 82 grams of carbs. (*The salad without the shell still has 490 calories!)

Fit's Tip: Watch out for condiments like sour cream and baja style sauce, they will pack on the extra calories!

Burger King Breakdown

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 08:29:12 -0800

It turns out that the Home of the Whopper should probably be called Home of a Whole Lotta Calories. However for some people Burger King just can't be avoided, so while you're there take a good look at what you're about to eat.

You should probably get the:
Tendergrill Salad with no dressing at 300 calories, 11 grams of fat, 0.5 grams trans fat, 840 mg of sodium and 17 grams of carbs.

You could also get the:
Tendergrill Chicken Sandwich with no mayo at 400 calories, 7 grams of fat, 0 grams trans fat, 1090 mg of sodium and 49 grams of carbs.

There's more so

In-N-Out Burger Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 07:30:00 -0800

In-N-Out Burger is a cult like favorite out here in the West. People literally flock to In-N-Out to get their grub on. I won't lie, I recently dined at In-N-Out and with a nutritional information card no where in sight, I had to fend for myself.

So you don't have to play the guessing game next time you go, here is the Breakdown:

The Double-Double with Onion has 670 calories, 41 grams of fat, 1440 mg of sodium and 39 carbs.

The Cheeseburger with Onion has 480 calories, 27 grams of fat, 1000 mg of sodium and 39 grams of carbs.

The Hamburger with Onion has 390 calories, 19 grams of fat, 650 mg of sodium and 39 grams of carbs.

The French Fries have 400 calories, 18 grams of fat, 245 mg of sodium and 54 grams of carbs. BUT they are not cooked in trans fats, so they get a major plus for that one.

The Chocolate Shake has 690 calories, 36 grams of fat, 350 mg of sodium and 83 grams of carbs.

Fit's Tip: Get it with out the "spread" and you can knock off 80 calories, 9 grams of fat but you need to add 80 mg of sodium and 2 grams of carbs.

Taco Hell Continued

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 12:00:00 -0800

Just as I thought the Taco Bell Hell was coming to a hault, new reports are claiming that the E. coli contamination was not found in the green onions, as originally suspected, but possibly in the lettuce. While findings are not final, they are also looking at the cheese and ground beef.

While the lettuce is served in approximately 70 percent of all Taco Bell menu items, thought is that they should probably just focus on everything at this point.

White onions were also suspect at one point and health officials found the produce was contaminated with E. coli, but the strain was not the same as the one identified in the wider outbreak. Gross.

Interestingly enough, officials are still saying that the Taco Bell outbreak does not have anything to do with the Taco John E. coli outbreak.

As of Wednesday evening, the Center for Disease Control had reported 71 confirmed cases of E. coli infection in five states. New Jersey had 33 confirmed cases; New York had 22; Pennsylvania had 13, Delaware had two, and South Carolina had one.

Moral of the story? Stay away from taco joints right now.

Welcome to Moe's

FitSugar — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 09:40:00 -0800

Every time you walk into Moe's, without a doubt, you are always greeted by the entire staff with a happy "Welcome to Moe's."

I went in there the other day because I was on the road and needed to eat. I thought I'd order a cheese quesadilla, because it'd be the safest item on the menu.

But Moe's isn't like other fast food joints - really it isn't. When you order, you get to watch the people make your food, so there's no "special" ingredients being added. They make all their own salsa and guacamole from scratch from actual vegetables.

Their beans are homemade everyday - using veggie broth- not lard. In fact, right smack dab on their menu it states "we don't use animal fat or lard." All their meat is cooked on one grill, and the veggies and tofu (yup, they have tofu) are cooked on a separate grill.

Fit's Tips: If you're counting calories or watching your weight, it's easy to figure out exactly what you're eating. Right on Moe's website, you can choose anything on the menu, including any toppings you want added or removed, and it configures the nutritional info for you. Just click on Nutrition at the bottom.

...More Taco Hell

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 12:00:00 -0800

OK so I hate to be a buzz kill, but I think it may be in your best interest to stop eating at fast food taco joints for the time being.

Taco John's, the self proclaimed fresh taste of the west-mex, has a reported "possible" E. coli scare as three dozen people became ill after eating at a Taco John's restaurant in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The symptoms seem to follow suit with those that come from consuming the E.coli bacteria and many people have been hospitalized. While we wait to find out if it was really E. coli that was making everyone sick, all suspected food ingredients have been removed from the menu and the restaurant has been sanitized.

Interestingly enough, Taco John's is not at all affiliated with Taco Bell, who has been battling their own E. coli issues.

Fit's Tip: Seriously gang, if you need a taco fix then try making your own tacos at home right now. They are easy to make, way better for you and a lot less likely to contain E.coli than those you'll get at a fast food joint.

Fast Food Mayhem

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 17:35:00 -0800

So I've broken down a lot of your favorite fast food spots, leaving you wondering if there is anything you can even eat out there. I understand the occasional fast food stop is unavoidable and you can do it in a healthy way, you just have to follow a few guidelines:

Don't super size. Most people eat way more than anyone ever should at a fast food restaurant because they can. Don't do it! Order small sizes.
Opt for places that offer "made to order" food. Like Subway for example, this way you can easily create a low calorie meal.

There's lots more, so

NYC vs. Trans Fats, The Saga is Over

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 08:43:32 -0800

Did you know that the FDA estimates the average American eats 4.7 pounds of trans fats each year? Gross.

Well, not anymore if you live in NYC...

Health officials have made NYC the first city to ban trans fats in the United States. The final decision was made despite the 24,000 restaurants arguing against the ban saying that it is unrealistic to give them only six months to replace cooking oils and shortening and 18 months to phase out the ingredients altogether.

Restaurants will be barred from using most frying oils containing artificial trans fats by July and will have to eliminate the artificial trans fats from all of their foods by July 2008.

The Board of Health also passed another measure which applies only to restaurants that already report the calorie counts and requires them to display the numbers on menus and menu boards. The new law should affect about 10% of New York City restaurants, including many fast-food establishments. It's going to be hard to order that Premium Crispy Chicken Club from McDonald's when 680 calories is displayed right next to it!

Chicago is most likely the next candidate to ban trans fats citywide.

If you want to see what my friend Giggle has to say about all this click here.

Right on NYC!!!!!

I'm Thinking... Cut the Trans Fat

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 09:00:00 -0800

As of May 1, 2007, Arby's restaurants will no longer be thinking trans fat as they will no longer serve french fries with trans fats and 75 percent of its menu items will contain less than half a gram of trans fats. Arby's is following the healthy restaurant trend to stop serving trans fats with the likes of Taco Bell and KFC in an effort to help combat the rise in obesity. Several cities are already on their way to trying to ban trans fats.

To Arby's I say, why not cut all of the trans fats? But hey, at least it's a start.

Wendy's Breakdown

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 13:45:00 -0800

Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers is among the top fast food favorites for many of us. Next time you do what tastes right you may want to also do what is right for your body.

Your best bet, calorie-wise, is the:
Chicken Caesar Salad with no dressing or croutons because it has 180 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 635 mg of sodium and 10 grams of carbs. (If you must have dressing opt for the Fat Free French Style Dressing at 80 calories, 0 grams of fat, 210 mg of sodium and 19 grams of carbs.)

For other, non-salad options,

Taco Bell Asks You to Think Outside the Trans Fat

FitSugar — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:00:00 -0800

Do you frequently run for the border like Britney? Good news because your Taco Bell feasts are about to get a lot better for you (well, as better for you as Taco Bell can get). Taco Bell just announced that they will be switching from the partially hydrogenated soybean oil that they have been using for frying purposes in the past, to zero grams trans fat canola oil. The transition should be in place for all Taco Bell restaurants by April 2007.

The change follows KFC's announcement that they will be switching, in order to ensure the same flavor profile across menu items at multi brand restaurants, such as KFC/Taco Bell locations as well as a recent proposal by health officials to ban trans fat in all restaurants nationwide.