With as busy as life gets, it’s easy to opt for quick and cheap fast food options. Whether you’re too exhausted to make dinner or running out the door in the morning and don’t have time to make breakfast, fast food is a tempting and convenient go-to. However, from preservatives to added sugar, it’s no mystery that fast food isn’t the most nutritious option. But what are the biggest health risks that come with fast food being a regular fixture in your diet? We asked Dr. Sam Kalioundji, cardiologist at Dignity Health Northridge Hospital, what actually happens to your body when you eat fast food regularly.
“Health risks of eating fast food regularly include obesity, cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure, constipation, dental issues, poor skin and nail growth, and insulin resistance. This is due to fast food containing high levels of saturated fats/trans fat, sugar, salt, processed ingredients, and calories with poor nutritional rich ingredients such as vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants.” Dr. Kalioundji explains.
As stated previously, fast food menu items are extremely high in salt. This is mainly done to add to the taste and acts as a preservative—but excessive sodium in your diet can lead to a number of unwanted health problems, especially water retention. You may not realize it when it’s occurring, but water retention can lead to weight gain or difficulty losing weight, bloating, and puffiness. All of these things can cause a great deal of discomfort. While salty french fries and other fast food staples are delicious and can be enjoyed in moderation, if you eat them regularly it could lead to pesky symptoms and physical discomfort.
For this reason, it’s important to seek balance in your diet—opt for fresh, whole foods when possible, and save the McDonald’s drive thru for occasional times when you’re in a pinch. If you’re on the go and are going to be hitting up a drive thru, are there any ways you can make healthy-minded choices? Dr. Kalioundji has a few tips, like oatmeal with fruit for breakfast and a salad for lunch or dinner. However, if you’re going to order a salad be sure and order things like croutons and dressings on the side, as they are typically high in additives like saturated fat and oil.
There is no single food group that you should cut out altogether. Rather, focus on balance—make sure you’re eating veggies at every meal, stay hydrated, and eat strong sources of protein like fish, chicken, legumes, and beef. While fast food is fine to eat here and there, eating it regularly can lead to things like water retention, which can sneak upon you with symptoms like bloating, puffing, and weight gain. Being thoughtful and intentional with what you order at fast food restaurants and seeking nutritional balance in your daily life are all key aspects to a healthy mind and body in the long term.
