Diet

Diet/Health

Lets start off with some Diet info from Men's Health:
Healthy Fast Food

We analyzed the fat and calorie content of 8 popular fast food items, so you can understand exactly what you're eating --

Anyone who tells you to avoid fast food is missing the point. It's not like you plan to end up at Burger King at 9 p.m. on a weeknight. It's just the inevitable last resort on those days when you're too hungry -- and too busy -- to scrounge up anything better. And when you're stuck in that fast food frenzy, your only option is to go with what's on the menu and hope that your super-fast salad doesn't lead to a super-size wardrobe. Luckily, making one or two small changes to some of your mass-produced favorites can be enough to transform a dieter's disaster into a perfectly decent meal.

1. Manhattan Bagel's Lox and Bagel

1. Plain Bagel 330 calories, 0 grams [g] saturated fat

2. Cream cheese 140 calories, 9 g saturated fat

3. Smoked salmon 105 calories, 1 g saturated fat

4. Red onions 5 calories, 0 g saturated fat

5. Tomato 5 calories, 0 g saturated fat

Total: 585 calories, 10 g saturated fat

The compromise: Sometimes carbs really are evil. The ultra-dense bagel puts the calorie count for this sandwich over the top. And the mound of cream cheese doesn't help either. Unfortunately, light cream cheese -- with only 20 fewer calories than the real thing -- is fairly useless.

The right solution for a lighter nosh: Request your sandwich open-faced with a gentle schmear.

You save: 270 calories, 7 g saturated fat

2. Wendy's Taco Supremo Salad

1. Iceberg and romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and onions 35 calories, 0 g saturated fat

2. Cheddar cheese 125 calories, 6 g saturated fat

3. Chili 200 calories, 2 g saturated fat

4. Salsa 30 calories, 0 g saturated fat

5. Sour Cream 60 calories, 3.5 g saturated fat

6. Taco Chips 220 calories, 2 g saturated fat

7. Creamy Ranch Dressing 230 calories, 4 g saturated fat

Total: 900 calories, 17.5 g saturated fat

The compromise: To slim down this salad, swap the dressing for the Reduced Fat Creamy Ranch option, then skip the sour cream altogether. For added calorie savings, ask for the chips on the side, crumble half on top for crunch, and toss the rest.

You save: 300 calories, 7 g saturated fat

3. Starbucks Tall Caffe Mocha

1. Espresso 10 calories, 0 g saturated fat

2. Steamed milk 180 calories, 5 g saturated fat

3. Mocha syrup 50 calories, 0 g saturated fat

4. Whipped cream 70 calories, 5 g saturated fat

Total: 310 calories, 10 g saturated fat

The compromise: A healthy dose of milk fat transforms ordinary coffee into an all-out indulgence. To make this treat less costly to your waistline, trade whole milk for fat-free and just say no to the whipped topping.

You save: 140 calories, 10 g saturated fat

Healthy Fast Food We analyzed the fat and calorie content of 8 popular fast food items, so you can understand exactly what you're eating By: Karen Ansel 4. McDonald's Crispy Chicken California Cobb Salad 1. Mixed greens, grape tomatoes, and carrots 33 calories, 0 g saturated fat 2. Fried chicken breast 215 calories, 2 g saturated fat 3. Bleu cheese 49 calories, 3 g saturated fat 4. Bacon 45 calories, 1 g saturated fat 5. Chopped egg 21 calories, 0.5 g saturated fat 6. Croutons 60 calories, 0 g saturated fat 7. Newman's Own Cobb Dressing 120 calories, 1.5 g saturated fat Total: 543 calories, 8 g saturated fat The compromise: Trade fried chicken for grilled and you'll slash calories by half. Then dress your salad with Newman's Own Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette, and you won't need to feel guilty about keeping the stuff that makes the salad so good in the first place -- bleu cheese, bacon, and croutons. You save: 180 calories, 2.5 g saturated fat 5. KFC Tender Roast Chicken Sandwich 1. Bun 160 calories, 0.5 g saturated fat 2. Lettuce 0 calories, 0 g saturated fat 3. Tomato 5 calories, 0 g saturated fat 4. Roasted chicken filet 95 calories, 1 g saturated fat 5. Pepper-herb sauce 130 calories, 2.5 g saturated fat Total: 390 calories, 4 g saturated fat The compromise: Trimming down this bird is a no-brainer: Opt for ketchup or mustard instead of the calorie-laden sauce. You save: 120 calories, 2.5 g saturated fat 6. Boston Market Chicken Dinner 1. Sweet garlic rotisserie chicken with skin and wing 280 calories, 3.5 g saturated fat 2. Mashed potatoes 210 calories, 5 g saturated fat 3. Gravy 20 calories, 0 g saturated fat 4. Coleslaw 430 calories, 3 g saturated fat Total: 940 calories, 11.5 g saturated fat The compromise: Clip the wing and trim the skin, and you'll cut the saturated fat to almost nothing. Gravy doesn't do much damage, so keep it. Trade the coleslaw for a simple seasonal fruit salad that clocks in at only 70 calories. You save: 500 calories, 5.5 g saturated fat 7. Chipotle Burrito 1. Tortilla 340 calories, 2 g saturated fat 2. Rice 240 calories, 1 g saturated fat 3. Pinto beans 138 calories, less than 1 g saturated fat 4. Vegetables 100 calories, 1 g saturated fat 5. Steak 230 calories, 4 g saturated fat 6. Cheese 110 calories, 6 g saturated fat 7. Guacamole 170 calories, 2.5 g saturated fat Total: 1,328 calories, 16.5 g saturated fat The compromise: Don't even think about polishing off the entire burrito on your own. Instead, nix the calorie- and fat-heavy steak for chicken. Opt for salsa over guacamole, then split it with a friend or take half of the meal home for later. You save: 851 calories, 11.5 g saturated fat 8. Au Bon Pain Large Strawberry Yogurt with Fruit and Granola 1. Yogurt 365 calories, 2.5 g saturated fat 2. Strawberries 15 calories, 0 g saturated fat 3. Granola 240 calories, 1.5 g saturated fat Total: 620 calories, 4 g saturated fat The compromise: Switch the granola for a small cup of extra fruit. Your yogurt will have the chunkiness you like without the calories you'd like to avoid. You save: 170 calories, 1.5 g saturated fat This article came from the May/June 2005 issue of Women's Health magazine