Fast Food Health

Fast food is an affordable and convenient way to fill yourself up when on the run. The majority of people can't avoid the occasional fast food. Although you shouldn't feel guilty for an occasional indulgence, regularly eating fast food can seriously damage your health. Coupled with low nutritional value, the calorie, sugar and sodium content of these foods can lead to a variety of health problems. With statistical associations to weight gain, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular conditions and all-cause mortality, regularly eating fast food can be a dangerous thing.

Fast food is associated with an increased risk of death even after ruling out deaths due to cardiovascular conditions. In its 2005 study, the Canadian research team noted that regions high in fast food restaurant density are 2.52 times more likely to be extremely high in all-cause mortality. 

Health Craze

Healthy eating is a hot topic.  There are multiple diets that are gaining popularity like, low carb, high fat, all meat, no meat, and Paleolithic. Full disclosure, I follow the Gary Taubes diet methodology . Gary Taubes gained prominence in the low-carb diet debate following the publication of his 2002 New York Times Magazine piece "What if It's All Been a Big Fat Lie?". The article, which questioned the efficacy and health of a low fat diet and defended the Atkins diet against the medical establishment. 

The Best Bang for your Buck               

I'm finally getting to the topic of discussion, CHIPOTLE. The best option for fast food hands down is chipotle.  As you see by the graph below, nutritional facts of a normal burrito bowl follow a low carb high fat and medium protein diet with plenty of fiber and low sugar.

You Can Still F*** it UP

You can easily make Chipotle meals that are unhealthy.  To avoid an unhealthy Chipotle meal you should stick to a no tortilla rule.  Also, try to avoid extra or large portions of rice. Chipotle sides often have a lot of added salt.  So try to stay away for some of the salsas with large salt content items as well.