James Stabile Informational Newsletter
May 2005
Health, Fitness and Lifestyle...
McDonald's...50 years old. Mickey D's has been fattening-up Americans as well as people from all over the world for the past 50 years. I remember the first McDonald's in Sharon, PA. The hamburgers were so cheap that first couple of weeks. I think they were $0.05 or maybe $0.25 each. There was no dining room in the 1950's, we had to go inside the restaurant, secure our order and then eat in the car. I remember thinking that the French fries were the best that I had ever eaten. The vanilla milkshakes were delicious, too.
We've seen so much in the media about fast food restaurants. Are they a hazard to one's life? The answer is a definite maybe.
McDonald's as well as other fast food restaurants have improved the nutritional value of their product over the years. Yes, you can still load up on the fat and calories at McDonald's, but you can eat more nutritiously, too. It depends on the items that you select from the menu. I suggest that if you visit such eateries, make sure you are familiar with the nutritional content of the items on the menu. Many of the restaurants have nutritional informational brochures available for the asking. If not, do you have access to the Internet? Every fast food restaurant has a web page and a menu and the nutritional information for their products. Eater beware.
I eat most of my weekday breakfasts at McDonalds. However, I am selective. I never order a combo or meal. I usually order a la carte. The breakfast menu offers many lower calorie and less fattening items. Coffee is number one. I think McDonald's has the best coffee. With the coffee a plain bagel, or even less fattening, a plain English muffin hits the spot. Once in awhile I will order a plain sausage pattie or scramble eggs. Whatever I order, I always pat the substance with a napkin to absorb some of the excess fat. Once in awhile I will order hot cakes. Moderation is the key. I seldom order a pre-made sandwich. I may order a bacon, egg, cheese bagel, without the cheese and without the butter or the grease they put on it. I still pat down the egg, bacon and bagel a bit. I think the least fattening and less caloric in content is the Egg McMuffin - a mere 300 calories. In any case, one can enjoy the convenience of fast food without overloading on the fast fat and calories.
By the way, the best part of breakfast for me - the coffee and the newspaper. I'm in my element with those two items.
Everything in moderation. I do not go without, so to speak, I go in moderation. Sunday is my day to eat a modest helping of French fries. I usually go to Miami Subs, Chile's or some such place for a hamburger and a small order of French fries. Never a large or super-sized portion, but rather a regular or small. Never mayo, no , never. Do you know that a Whopper at Burger King is about 600 calories. Without the mayo it drops to 450 calories. Do you know that a Quarter Pounder at McDonald's without cheese is a mere 420 calories. I think you get my point. Sometimes we want fast food. At those times, go for it, but wisely and in moderation. And by all means, not every day.
In any type of restaurant, be careful when ordering a salad. The type and amount of dressing makes all the difference in the world when it comes to fat and calories. All salad dressings are not created equally. Go for the low fat, low calorie options. If you must eat the regular dressings, go in moderation. A trick, order the dressing on the side and don't pour that entire container of the dressing over the salad. Rather, gently and sparingly dapple some of the dressing over the salad. Another option, do not put the dressing on the salad, ask for the dressing on the side, dip your fork in the salad dressing and then put the fork in the salad for a nice big bite of salad. You will use less dressing, but you will be able to taste the dressing, too. Be conscious of the "extras" in the salad. They, too, add to the fat and caloric content of the salad. Just because you eat a salad doesn't necessarily mean that you are eating low fat or low calorie.
When it comes to lunch or dinner menu items, be aware of the nutritional value of the food that you eat. Be informed and make wise decisions about eating.
Whether it's breakfast, lunch, dinner or supper be discriminating when you choose your menu options. Whether it's a regular, boring meal or a banquet out with friends or colleagues, eat sensibly and in moderation. Healthy eating, moderation, portion control and physical activity makes for a healthy, fit forever life. It's your choice.
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