Wondering if type 2 diabetes has to limit your options for eating out? As long as you order smart, you can still frequent convenient fast-food restaurants.
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Although anyone may develop type 2 diabetes, this type of diabetes is often caused by poor lifestyle choices, such as being overweight and not being physically active. Controlling your diet by avoiding typical fast-food choices plays a large role in helping control your blood sugar levels, a must when managing type 2 diabetes — and it may even reduce the amount of medication you need to take each day.
But there are many reasons why you might need to rely on fast-food restaurants. You may work late hours or be pressed for time, for instance, and fast food might be the most convenient, or even the only, option available to you. There's no denying that these quick-bite chains seem to be everywhere — the United States currently has about 7.52 fast-food restaurants per 100,000 residents, according to a recent article in the journal Critical Public Health.
You may wonder if you have to give up all fast food once you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Common sense says that fast food is not likely to be on the preferred- foods list for people with diabetes. A typical fast-food breakfast can put you at or over your daily limit for fat, cholesterol, and carbohydrates. There are, however, better choices you can make to get the nutrition you need and take advantage of fast food’s convenience.
For starters, fast food doesn’t have to mean eating the fatty offerings. Planning ahead is the key, says Jenny De Jesus, RN, CDE, a diabetes educator at the Friedman Diabetes Institute at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. Many fast-food chains now feature healthier choices; these are the restaurants you want to go to.
“If possible, look at the menu ahead of time. This way, you’ll have more time to make a healthier choice,” says De Jesus. Some chain restaurants give nutritional information for their food items on the Internet. You can find them by typing the chain name and the word “nutrition” in any search engine. Pizza Hut, for one, even lists exchanges for its foods, giving you the equivalents for a serving of a particular type of pizza.
When trying to decide on the best fast-food cuisine, keep these ideas in mind:
Type 2 Diabetes: Beware of Fast-Food Traps
One of the ways fast-food restaurants make money is by getting more customers to come through more quickly, pressuring you to make a quick ordering decision — and when you feel rushed, you may make the wrong choices.
Make smart rules and stick to them, like never ordering jumbo or super sizes. Keep in mind that you don’t have to eat the full portion of any food you order, especially if a chain’s “regular” portions are larger than you need. Cutting down on portion sizes can make a big dent in your caloric intake.
Try these additional tips when ordering:
But there are many reasons why you might need to rely on fast-food restaurants. You may work late hours or be pressed for time, for instance, and fast food might be the most convenient, or even the only, option available to you. There's no denying that these quick-bite chains seem to be everywhere — the United States currently has about 7.52 fast-food restaurants per 100,000 residents, according to a recent article in the journal Critical Public Health.
But the news isn't all bad. If you do visit a fast-food joint, the key is knowing what to order to get the nutrition you need without jeopardizing your health.
Type 2 Diabetes: Better Fast-Food Choices You may wonder if you have to give up all fast food once you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Common sense says that fast food is not likely to be on the preferred- foods list for people with diabetes. A typical fast-food breakfast can put you at or over your daily limit for fat, cholesterol, and carbohydrates. There are, however, better choices you can make to get the nutrition you need and take advantage of fast food’s convenience.
For starters, fast food doesn’t have to mean eating the fatty offerings. Planning ahead is the key, says Jenny De Jesus, RN, CDE, a diabetes educator at the Friedman Diabetes Institute at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. Many fast-food chains now feature healthier choices; these are the restaurants you want to go to.
“If possible, look at the menu ahead of time. This way, you’ll have more time to make a healthier choice,” says De Jesus. Some chain restaurants give nutritional information for their food items on the Internet. You can find them by typing the chain name and the word “nutrition” in any search engine. Pizza Hut, for one, even lists exchanges for its foods, giving you the equivalents for a serving of a particular type of pizza.
When trying to decide on the best fast-food cuisine, keep these ideas in mind:
- Pizza may actually be a good choice for people with type 2 diabetes; just be sure to order the thin-crust type and top it with vegetables rather than high-fat meats and extra cheese.
- Tacos, burritos, and wraps can be tasty and permissible in your diet; when possible, ask for whole-wheat tortillas, and avoid any entrees that are fried.
- Look for fast-food places that offer salad bars. These can be good for you, as long as you limit the amount of salad dressing you use and don’t load up on high-fat salad ingredients, like cheeses.
Type 2 Diabetes: Beware of Fast-Food Traps
One of the ways fast-food restaurants make money is by getting more customers to come through more quickly, pressuring you to make a quick ordering decision — and when you feel rushed, you may make the wrong choices.
Make smart rules and stick to them, like never ordering jumbo or super sizes. Keep in mind that you don’t have to eat the full portion of any food you order, especially if a chain’s “regular” portions are larger than you need. Cutting down on portion sizes can make a big dent in your caloric intake.
Try these additional tips when ordering:
- Order single burgers, not double or triple patties, and go for chicken, turkey, or veggie burgers instead of beef burgers.
- Avoid fried meats and even fried fish; instead, choose grilled or broiled sandwiches or platters.
- Limit your toppings to vegetables like a slice of tomato and lettuce or salsa, staying away from high-fat sauces, dressings, and mayonnaise.
- Some restaurant items should be avoided, including croissants and croissant-based sandwiches, large muffins, and ice cream and other desserts, especially pies.
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