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FAST FOOD VS FATTY FOODS
The most popular WINForum blog post during June had more than 4,000 visitors reading about making the right fast food menu choices -- what follows are fast food tips for your student athletes.
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MAKE GOOD FAST FOOD CHOICES
 Fast food restaurants are not all bad if you read the menu board and follow some easy advice. Most fast food places have yielded to pressure to provide healthier menu items. Instead of ordering the largest order of fries and the giant cup of soda, get the smaller fries with low fat milk. Instead of getting cookies, get a fruit parfait.
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FAST FOOD TIPS
Avoid Dipping Sauces: Creamy dipping sauces are packed with calories and saturated fat. Use them sparingly. If you're given a handful of packets take only the amount you need, and before you even start set the rest aside.
Grilled or Baked is Better : Crispy chicken may sound harmless but always order the grilled or baked version to avoid the calorie-filled breading. Avoid foods with descriptions like breaded, battered, creamy and fried that contain empty calories.
 Skip Super Sizing It: It's really hard to resist when fast food providers push 'super size'. Satisfy your craving for those french fries with a smaller order - and you'll save money, too. If you're still feeling hungry, add another healthy side like apple slices or a yogurt parfait
Salad is Good - Dressing, Not So Much: Fast food salad options are healthy, but over-doing with the dressing that comes with them is not. Be sure to get dressing on the side and either dip the salad as you go, or very lightly dress the salad yourself - you only need a little to go a long way.
 Control Your Fast Food Options: Think Subway or the deli at your local grocery store as healthier fast food choices because they allow you to control the type and amount of ingredients in your sandwich or salad.
Avoid Sodas: Try not to top off your meal with a large cup of soda. Instead go for water, low fat milk or fruit juice for a healthier meal. This is especially true if you have practice or games after, since the carbonation can cause stomach upset.
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FAST FATTY FOODS CAN CAUSE DEPRESSION
Fast food is tempting during the summer months when student athletes fend for themselves when it comes to food intake, especially lunch. A study of about 9,000 people found that consuming high sugar, high fat foods not only puts on pounds, but can cause depression as well.
The saturated and trans-fats found in mass-produced pastries and fast food can put you in a bad mood, and make no contribution to your overall health. According to WebMD, those who consume such foods were 51 percent more likely to become depressed, among other signs and symptoms.
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Visit our new partner web site - BestTeenDiets.org
This informative site encourages positive food decisions supportive of good health, whether your goal is to lose weight, gain weight or stay within your healthy weight range. A teenaged body is still a growing body that needs a proper balance of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals to reach its potential and remain healthy.
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WINForum recommends healthy well balanced eating that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and low-fat or fat-free dairy. We offer nutrition information for coaches, athletes, parents and trainers that emphasizes the importance of healthy eating for peak performance. Visit www.winforum.org for more.
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About Us
The science-based contents of the Washington Interscholastic Nutrition Forum (WINForum) Site and Nutrition Navigator, such as text, graphics, images, and other material are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. WINForum clinics are accredited by the WIAA for coaches credit hours, and promote a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and low fat or fat free dairy.
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