Fast Food, Quick Information!

Gone are the days when you'd order from a fast-food menu and keep your fingers crossed that what you were eating didn't have too many calories. Now it's easy to find out how many calories are in that fried fish sandwich or vanilla shake. You'll be amazed at how many calories can be packed into one little bun!

Fast food doesn't automatically equal bad food! Chain restaurants are doing more these days to make their meals healthier. They're also providing a lot more information about the nutritional content of the food so that you can make the best choices. Here's the latest on fast food — and what you should look for when you eat out:

• Most fast-food chains now offer complete nutritional information on their Web sites. How's that for a great tool? Before you hop in your car, hop online and plan your order!
• McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Taco Bell, and Wendy's are all taking steps to reduce dangerous trans fats or completely eliminate them from their menus. Nice work! (Keep an eye out for foods containing these fats, though — just in case.)
• Need nutritional information while you're in the restaurant? Look around! Some chains are posting it on place mats, in brochures, and even on the food packaging.
• Some cities have laws requiring fast-food chains to post nutritional information on the menu board, so it's front and center while you order. All you have to do is look at the sign — it's that simple!