Eating out at a restaurant can be such a nice and fun way to get out of the house, and, of course, get a break from cooking. However, the things you order can also take a toll on your health.
While eating out is typically a special occasion for many people, there are also lots of people out there who prefer to frequently dine out, instead of cooking at home and grocery shopping. Still, no matter which way you slice it, there are often a lot of tempting, indulgent foods available at restaurants, and many of them can take a toll on your heart health, especially if you order them often. We spoke with a registered dietitian, Destini Moody, RD, CSSD, LD, at Live it Up, about three of the ‘worst’ artery-clogging menu items you should stop ordering at restaurants in order to protect your heart health. Read more about them below.
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1. Bacon
Bacon is one of the most commonly ordered sides at diners, breakfast joints, and places that specialize in brunch. For many, it's hard to imagine ordering some kind of pancake or egg dish for their breakfast at a restaurant and not asking for a side of bacon to go with it. However, before you continuously order it, you may want to think again.
"Cured meats like bacon and pork sausage are high in saturated fat, which is a type of fat that's been linked to increased risk of heart attack and high cholesterol due to its ability to harden the arteries," says Moody. "However, these meats also use sodium to cure them and extend their shelf life, and excess sodium is linked to high blood pressure. Instead, choose leaner meats like Canadian bacon or poultry substitutes like chicken and turkey sausage that have a lower saturated fat content."
2. Pizza
Another super popular food people often venture out of their homes for is pizza! Pizza is a classic restaurant pick, as it's delicious, and when you're out with friends, easy to share. Still, you might want to make sure pizza is only a special occasion food, as it contains a lot of ingredients that can worsen your heart health over time.
"Pizza that's loaded with toppings like pepperoni, ham, and sausage could spell trouble for your cholesterol," explains Moody. "Not only are these meats loaded with bad fats, but when you factor in the high-fat cheese and refined grains from a thick crust, you don't have the most optimal menu item on your hands. Furthermore, most pizza you order in restaurants is loaded with sodium both for flavor and so restaurants can save money by keeping ingredients on hand for longer without having to throw them out due to spoilage."
"If you want to get your fix of Italian food, some more heart-healthy dishes would be whole grain pasta with a tomato, primavera, or pesto sauce," she adds.
3. Ice Cream
Once your meal is over, whether you're at a casual joint or a fancier restaurant, chances are, you're going to get offered some sort of ice cream as a dessert. And like all of these orders, ice cream is fine to enjoy in moderation, but you might start to feel ill if you eat and ask for it frequently.
"It's a tempting thing to gravitate towards when the waiter drops off the dessert menu at the end of the meal, but not an ideal choice for heart health," says Moody. "Ice cream is made from cream and full-fat dairy ingredients, like cream and whole milk, which also contain saturated fat. What's more, though, is that ice cream has a lot of added sugar. While most people associate sugar with diabetes, excess refined sugar can also increase the risk of heart disease by raising LDL cholesterol and causing inflammation that damages blood vessel walls."
"Instead, end your meal with a fruit-based sorbet that's sweetened naturally," she continues. Even a smartly constructed banana split sans the ice cream but with some cocoa, nuts, seeds, and a cherry or two could be a more nutritious choice."
