This post has been updated since it was originally published on April 18, 2022.
According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. While the best way to prevent heart disease is to eat a balanced diet and stay active, the presence of preservatives and sugar in our food makes that difficult. Besides that, the hustle bustle of everyday life makes us tempted to rely on convenience—making a healthy dinner not only takes longer, but is also more costly than stopping through the drive thru on the way home from work.
It’s true that fast food is cheap, easy, and tastes good, but it is also packed with dyes, preservatives, and sugar—all things that, when consumed in large amounts, could raise your risk of things like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. However, you don’t need to cut out fast food completely to live a healthy life. Balance is key, so enjoying everything in moderation is the best way to feel fulfilled while also making sure that you’re filling your body with the nutrients it needs. When you eat at a fast food restaurant, it’s helpful to at least have context around the ingredients of what you’re eating, and what will nourish your body the most. So what is one thing that may not be the healthiest on the menu that you should consider swapping for something else?
According to Dr. Raed Bargout, a cardiologist at Dignity Health-Glendale Memorial Hospital in Glendale, California, saturated fat is one ingredient you should be especially cautious of when ordering food out or buying food at the grocery store. “Food that is rich in saturated fat increases total cholesterol, LDL, and lipoprotein (Lp)a,” he says. While cholesterol is a necessary component of healthy blood, too much of the waxy substance can cause difficulty for your blood to effectively flow through the body. This can lead to increased risk of heart attack and stroke. If you’re already at high risk of these things due to genetics or preexisting conditions, it’s incredibly important to monitor your cholesterol levels.
Unfortunately, lots of fast food items, especially meat, are cooked in oils that are rich in saturated fats. But one meat that is high in saturated fat on its own is pork, making it particularly tricky for anyone who is at risk of heart disease. “Pork is loaded with saturated fat—leading to cardiovascular problems, high cholesterol, weight gain and more,” says Caitlin Policastro, a nurse practitioner at the New York Center for Innovative Medicine.
Avoid Pork Sandwiches
For this reason, sandwiches that contain pork, most commonly breakfast sandwiches with pork sausage, may not be your best choice when ordering at a fast food restaurant. As stated previously, if you’re already at risk for heart disease, or you’re just trying to keep your heart health in mind, monitoring your saturated fat intake is important, as too much of it has been linked to elevated cholesterol levels. If you want a swap that’s a little more heart-healthy, consider ordering a sandwich with chicken instead.
Physical wellness involves a lot of components that work together. Making little changes everyday, from drinking more water, to eating well, to exercising regularly, are all things that will boost not only your heart health, but your health overall. Making healthier swaps when eating out or grocery shopping is one big way you can maintain balance and ensure you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs, and leaving out the things that will increase your risk for unwanted conditions.
