Fish sandwiches are a childhood food staple, often served at picnics, fairs, and festivals. But are these sandwiches really as healthy as they seem? Let’s take a closer look.
Table of Contents
The Basics
The basics of any McDonald’s menu item, be it a grilled chicken sandwich or a fish sandwich, are well-known: two all-beef patties, two slices of cheese, one pickle, and mayo on a roll. The catch is in the bread selection and the topping options.
The classic grilled chicken sandwich at McDonald’s will have a fluffy golden roll with a few onion rings as the bun. While you may think that this is a perfectly acceptable, standard bun for this popular chicken sandwich, you’d be surprised how many people think it’s too much food. The same goes for fish sandwiches. They’re often served on a roll with some iceberg lettuce, but if you really want to step up your game, you can opt for a flat hamburger bun instead. With a bun that is that small, you’re going to be feeling more bites than you’d expect for a meal that is considered healthful and filling.
What about sauce? You’ll find ketchup, mustard, and tartar sauce on the side of many McDonald’s menus, but these are not healthy options. Opt instead for a pickle or diced onions and tomatoes as a topping if you want a boost of flavor. If you’re really feeling extra indulgent, you can go for a creamy salad dressing or chili mayo as a base for your sandwich.
Another basic that applies to both the grilled chicken and fish sandwiches are the pickles that are served with them. While many people opt for a creamy pickle relish, you can reduce the fat and calories by choosing a tangy dill pickle instead. Some people say that a spicy pickle is the tastiest, but you should know that most restaurants serve very mild pickles, so you may not feel like you’re missing out on much.
Sodium And Weight Concerns
Sodium is always a major issue when it comes to menu items at fast food restaurants. You’d think that someone would have thought of this already, but people in general are often not aware of how much salt is in the food that they eat. This is why fast food restaurants have started putting calorie information on their menus, and why you should always read the labels on food that you buy and eat regularly.
You may be used to seeing the words “low sodium” on food labels but did you know that there is no universally accepted definition of “low-sodium foods”? The term can be quite confusing, as some processed foods that you may associate with healthy living have relatively high sodium content. There are many pitfalls that you may stumble upon if you choose to follow a low-sodium diet simply because you think that all foods with that label are healthy. For example, opting for a diet soda and low-fat dairy product instead of a regular cola and cheese may seem like a good idea initially, but when it comes down to it, you’ll feel bloated and unhealthy because of the sodium content in those food items. It’s important to be aware of the facts even if you are trying to eat a healthier lifestyle (or are already doing so). You may have heard of the Paleo diet, which stands for “paleo” as in “paleo foods”, as those are the kinds of foods that our ancestors ate. One of the things that the Paleo diet prescribes you to avoid are processed foods with added sugar and salt. That doesn’t mean that you have to give up all your favorite foods or buy only whole foods, it just means that you should eat less of them. It’s the same with the Atkins Diet – a diet that promotes low-carb living. When you follow this diet, you are advised to stay away from foods with lots of additives and preservatives, as those are usually packed with unnecessary sodium. There are a lot of false assumptions when it comes to the so-called healthy foods, and it’s best to be aware of those and continue on your path to a healthier lifestyle. When it comes to snacks and sweets, you may be used to seeing the words “no added sugar” on food labels but did you know that this is something that should be included on all food labels, even the ones for organic foods? There is a common misconception that products with no added sugar are healthier than those that have, and while this may be true for some products, it’s not necessarily so for all of them. As a general rule of thumb, it’s better to eat real foods that you prepare yourself rather than manufactured foods that you don’t have control over the ingredients of. There is a high likelihood that what you’re buying is not what you’re supposed to be eating, and besides, you’re providing your body with a whole lot of unnecessary salt when you eat these processed foods.
You don’t have to give up burgers and fries just because you want to eat healthier. There are many options that you can have at McDonald’s that are low in sodium without having to forgo the taste that you love. Opt for a salad bar or a wrap station instead of a regular burger and fries station. You can also have chicken tenders instead of regular chicken, or opt for eggless mayo instead of the usual egg-based mayo. Whatever you do, make sure that you always keep an eye on the ingredients before you buy anything, and read the nutrition facts carefully so that you know what you’re putting into your body.
Where Do I Go From Here?
It’s always nice to find a list of food facts as you’re browsing through the internet. It’s especially convenient when you’re looking for a place to eat that you know and trust. Going to McDonald’s to get an egg burger and fries doesn’t sound like a good idea to me but maybe I’m the only one. The truth is, there are many places, both fast food and otherwise, that you can go to get a good meal without having to break the bank. It’s all about what you want out of your experience and the money that you’re willing to spend. If you want good food that is not overly salted, you can eat Italian or French restaurants for example. If you want to save money, you can go to a Chinese restaurant or a Pizza Hut. There are a lot of options out there and you may find one that suits you perfectly. If you have a specific food craving, you can always search for a restaurant that specialized in serving your desired cuisine.
Do you ever wonder how fast food restaurants stay in business? It’s all about the stats. While many people opt for a happy meal and some old-fashioned entertainment, restaurants like McDonald’s and KFC know that people want to eat their food and leave as soon as possible. What they do is, they create an environment where people want to linger. They use psychological techniques to make you feel like you’re in a place that is safe and comfortable, and they give you a feeling of familiarity, which is why when you enter a McDonald’s, you feel like you’ve been there before. This is even more apparent at night, when there are fewer people around and the lights are on, creating a more relaxed atmosphere. There is plenty that you can learn from this simple fact.