Yashvi Chheda
Bariatric Dietician & Content Writer
Healthy Restaurant Choices Aren't Healthy? Why?
A healthy diet is one that enhances or maintains general health. The body receives the basic nutrients it needs from a balanced diet, including proper amounts of hydration, macronutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, & fats as well as micronutrients like vitamins, and fiber.
According to us, these items are healthy for ordering from/at a restaurant:
- Dal khichdi
- Pulav curry
- Roti sabzi
- Masala dosa
- Rajma rice
- Kebabs
- Sweets, etc.
Let me give you a reality check then. These are not really healthy.
According to FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India), oil should not be re-used more than 3-4 times for cooking/frying. This oil then goes to the companies where soap is manufactured.
Now, these rules are typically followed in food industries where there are food inspectors on a regular basis to do the necessary tests of oil.
But in restaurants, especially local restaurants, there are no such inspectors. Additionally, the chefs may not be even aware of these guidelines.
They may be using the same oil in which they probably made samosas and used little by little oil from the same batch to make your daal khichdi.
Hmmm…..tasted yummy! BUT if consumed repeatedly in the name of health, this might give rise to cardiovascular diseases.
These fats will go running to your arteries and nicely sit there for years forming plaque if you repeat ordering “healthy restaurant items”.
In patients who have undergone bariatric surgery, they are always advised to consume a nicely fresh, home cooked meal. This is because there is already a known, strong relation between obesity and cardiovascular health.
Few explanations are as stated below:
Obesity is a significant risk factor for coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and heart failure, as well as other types of heart disease. Obesity contributes to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which causes atherosclerosis and puts a greater burden on the heart. This is especially true of abdominal obesity (carrying weight around the waist).
Obesity and hypertension are closely related conditions that refer to high blood pressure. Having too much body fat needs increased blood flow, which puts more strain on the blood vessels and raises blood pressure. The risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues rises as a result of hypertension.
Dyslipidemia: Being overweight frequently results in aberrant lipid profiles, which are characterized by high triglyceride levels and low HDL (good) cholesterol levels. This combination, referred to as dyslipidemia, is a very important risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
Type 2 Diabetes: Obesity and the development of type 2 diabetes are closely related. Diabetes considerably raises the risk of cardiovascular problems, such as peripheral arterial disease, heart disease, and stroke.
Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are conditions that obesity fosters in the body. These conditions can harm blood vessels, impede heart function, and advance cardiovascular illnesses.
Obesity is a risk factor for heart failure, a condition in which the heart cannot effectively pump blood. The extra weight puts more strain on the heart, altering its structural integrity and decreasing cardiac performance.
Arrhythmias: Obesity is linked to a higher risk of a number of heart rhythm abnormalities, such as bradycardia, ventricular tachycardia, and atrial fibrillation. These diseases raise the risk of stroke and other consequences by interfering with the heart’s natural rhythm.
Your intentions may be good but their oil isn’t!!
