Final answer:
Healthy eating requires informed choices and awareness of nutritional information. Fast-food meals are high in calories and fat, making them energy-dense. Simple changes and avoiding excess solid fats and added sugars, along with physical activity, contribute to better health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The keys to healthy eating involve understanding what you're consuming and making informed decisions. Home-cooked meals are typically healthier than dining out, but even when eating out, healthier choices can be made. A fundamental strategy is to check nutritional information, which often reveals that some menu items can reach up to 2,000 calories, exceeding daily recommended amounts of saturated fat and sodium.
Consider the nutritional content of typical fast-food meals: high in calories, fat, and sodium, and low in nutrients. Fat, an energy-dense macronutrient, contains nine Calories per gram, in contrast to protein or carbohydrates that have only four Calories per gram. This is a key reason why fast-food meals are calorically dense.
When dining at fast-food restaurants, small changes like skipping soda, choosing small fries, and opting for smaller burgers can save numerous calories and fat. Adding a piece of fruit from home can enhance nutritional intake without substantial calorie addition. It's essential to be aware of SOFAS (solid fats and added sugar) and make an effort to lead an active lifestyle to maintain a balanced calorie intake and expenditure.