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Food

This Is The Worst Mistake You Can Make At The Drive-Thru, According To Health Experts

October 25, 2020 by Justine Schwartz
shefinds | Food
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Happy Sunday! You might be inclined to hit up the fast food establishment today in lieu of cooking at home–but before you pull the car around the drive-thru, read on. Experts we spoke to recently warn that fast food ordering comes with some obvious health pitfalls that you should avoid. What are they?

READ MORE: This Is The Worst Mistake You Can Make When Ordering Breakfast At A Fast Food Restaurant

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Colorful drive-thru menu showcasing delicious fast food options

kuudose founding celebrity trainer and fitness/nutrition expert Joey Thurman, CPT, CES, FNS, NASM: The worst mistake you can make at the drive thru is ordering fries, a big fat meal, and sugar combined. In other words, ordering a meal with high carbs, fat, and sugar all together. That immense sugar spike with the fat is highly likely for those calories to be stored as fat. This will also intensify the brains reptilian pleasure response and cause you to crave even more calories, especially more processed foods.

Drive-thru lane filled with cars waiting for service

Jinan Banna, registered dietitian and professor of nutrition: The worst mistake you can make at the drive-thru is to agree to super-size your food. Portion sizes have grown enormously over the years, and even small sizes these days provide tons of calories. Consider taking a look at the nutritional information provided for the establishment to get realistic about just what you are consuming.

 

READ MORE: The One McDonald’s Menu Item You Can Eat Every Day & Still Get A Flat Stomach, According To A Nutritionist

Drive-thru restaurant with cars lined up for service.

Tiffany Joy Yamut, RN, co-founder of Ketogenic Buddies: Not double-checking if the food in the paper bag is the one you ordered. This is especially important for those customers who follow special diets like low-carb keto.

Refreshing fountain soda in a clear cup with ice.

Lisa Richards, nutritionist and author of The Candida Diet: Avoid common drive-thru and fast food mistakes by avoiding drinking your calories and adding saturated fat to your otherwise healthy salads. The easiest and most overlooked way to cut out excess calories and sugar when dining out is to pass on sugar-sweetened beverages. Opt for water instead, which will keep you from drinking your calories and cutting out unnecessary carbs in the form of sugar.


READ MORE: The One McDonald’s Menu Item You Can Eat Every Day To Get A Flat Stomach, According To A Nutritionist

Author:

Editorial Director

Justine Schwartz is a veteran women's lifestyle editor; she's written extensively about style & beauty tips, health advice and wedding planning. Her work has appeared in New York Magazine, Huffington Post and New York Weddings. Justine has been with SheFinds since 2010; you can reach her via email at Justine@shefinds.com.

Person enjoying a healthy lunch at a dining table.
Sipping spearmint tea for relaxation and digestion.
Various types of bread displayed on a wooden surface.
Fresh bakery items from Costco, including cakes and pastries.
Woman holding her head, feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
Woman experiencing joint pain, indicating health issues.
Vibrant assortment of groceries from Shutterstock image.
Popular fast food options from Dunkin', Chick-fil-A, and Starbucks.
Woman adding sugar to her aromatic cup of coffee.
Assorted bagels with blueberries and butter on a wooden board.
Comparing cooking spray and olive oil for healthy cooking.
Top view of Brazilian food dish with rice, beans, and chicken.
Checking time on a watch during breakfast.
Display of deli meats and sandwiches in a grocery store.
Cooked salmon served with rice, avocado, and greens.
Inside view of a Costco store showcasing various products.
Woman taking magnesium supplement for health benefits.
Selection of S'mores brownies and baked ricotta from Aldi.
Grilled chicken breast served with fries and mixed salad.
Frozen pizza options available in a grocery store aisle.
Person enjoying a healthy lunch at a dining table.
Sipping spearmint tea for relaxation and digestion.
Various types of bread displayed on a wooden surface.
Fresh bakery items from Costco, including cakes and pastries.
Woman holding her head, feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
Woman experiencing joint pain, indicating health issues.
Vibrant assortment of groceries from Shutterstock image.
Popular fast food options from Dunkin', Chick-fil-A, and Starbucks.
Woman adding sugar to her aromatic cup of coffee.
Assorted bagels with blueberries and butter on a wooden board.
Comparing cooking spray and olive oil for healthy cooking.
Top view of Brazilian food dish with rice, beans, and chicken.
Checking time on a watch during breakfast.
Display of deli meats and sandwiches in a grocery store.
Cooked salmon served with rice, avocado, and greens.
Inside view of a Costco store showcasing various products.
Woman taking magnesium supplement for health benefits.
Selection of S'mores brownies and baked ricotta from Aldi.
Grilled chicken breast served with fries and mixed salad.
Frozen pizza options available in a grocery store aisle.