FAST FOODS

Fast foods deliver a high percentage of their calories from fat, often associated with their method of preparation (e.g., frying in saturated fat).  Fat density is a serious limitation of fast foods.  In comparison with the recommended standard (25% to 30% of total calories from fat), 40% to 50% of the calories in fast foods come from fats.  Although many fast-food restaurants are now using vegetable oil instead of animal fat for frying (to reduce cholesterol levels), this change has not lowered the fat density of these foods.  One average fast-food meal supplies over one-half the amount of fat needed in a day.  In addition, fast foods are often high in sugar and salt.

But trends indicate that the fast-food tide many be beginning to shift.  In 2000 Subway began heavily promoting its line of low-fat sandwiches with great success.  Now larger chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, and Wendy’s are following Subway’s lead, adding lower-fat sandwiches and salads to their menus.  The industry is also focusing on healthier options for children; for example, Wendy’s has announced plans to test fruit cups and milk as options in its kids’ meals, and McDonald’s has begun testing white-meat-only Chicken McNuggets.