We all eat unhealthy food on occasion — but it's good to know when you're doing it so that it doesn't become part of your routine. Everyone knows that cheese fries are tasty, but we also know that they're not good for you.
FDA labeling laws state that chain restaurants with 20 or more locations must follow certain menu labeling requirements to keep customers informed about the dishes they offer. That's extremely helpful information to have. Here's what you need to keep your eye on.
SEE ALSO: 6 simple ways to stop overeating
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Be weary if the calorie count in a single dish is well over 1,000.
Calorie requirements for all of us may differ based on a number of factors. A hardcore marathoner is going to have different caloric needs than an office worker who sits at a desk all day. If a doctor or other health professional has given you a set of guidelines to follow, by all means, take their specific recommendations.
For most average adults, the USDA currently recommends an average of 2,000 calories per day — and the exact number may vary with age, gender, and level of activity.
Now that you know that number, it's easy to see why you might not want to consume half of your recommended daily calories in a single menu item.
High amounts of saturated fat should be avoided.
Fat itself isn't necessarily unhealthy — monounsaturated fats like those found in avocados are very good for you. But saturated fats need to be limited — according to the American Heart Association, around 13 grams per day is good for the average American.
The biggest culprits in terms of saturated fat are meat and dairy products — but beware the saturated fat in some of your favorite processed food items as well. If you're going out to eat, that cookie milkshake will no doubt taste amazing — but is also most definitely not health food.
"Crispy breaded" anything is usually deep-fried.
Even if the word "fried" isn't used in an item's description, things that say they are both crispy and breaded are usually also fried.
If someone isn't frying a thing that is crispy and breaded, they'll almost always explicitly state that it's baked — because that can be a selling point for health-conscious customers.
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