Eating 2 burgers is better than ordering one with fries

Nutritionist Emily Field says it doubles your protein, keeping you full for longer
This means you could reduce your overall calorie intake for the rest of the day
You’re also reducing the amount of carbs – which are linked to weight gain
This simple switch could help keep your blood sugar levels steady

By Claudia Tanner For Mailonline

Published: 16:31 GMT, 8 November 2017 | Updated: 16:52 GMT, 8 November 2017

It goes without saying that eating fast food isn’t great for you – but there is a way you can ease the guilt somewhat.

Instead of ordering a burger with fries, it’s healthier to opt for a second burger, according to a nutritionist.

This means you’re quadrupling your protein, which keeps you full for longer, says Emily Field, who is also a registered dietitian in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

So by swapping the fries for a second burger, you could reduce your overall calorie intake for the rest of the day.

Furthermore, you are reducing the amount of carbohydrates you’re consuming. While carbs are important to your health, an excess has been linked to weight gain.

Instead of ordering a burger with fries, it’s healthier to opt for a second burger, according to nutritionist Emily Field (stock image)

Many studies show we are eating too much artery-clogging saturated fat

‘Try it out and see how you feel,’ Ms Field told Business Insider.

The mathematics

A hamburger from McDonalds has 250 calories and 13g of protein. A medium portion of fries has more calories at 337 and only 3.3g of protein.

When it comes to carbs, the burger has 31g while the fries have a whopping 42g.

The chips do have a little more saturated fat at 3g compared with 1.5g for the burger.

Carbohydrate directly influences blood sugar levels, so this simple switch could help keep them steady.

This is important for diabetics. In the long run, uncontrolled blood sugar can also damage the vessels that supply blood to important organs, like the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves, according the the Mayo Clinic.

THE WEIGHT LOSS RESULTS OF ATKIN’S WITHOUT THE RISKS

High-protein diets are known to keep us feeling fuller for longer – and now scientists believe they understand why.

They have discovered its down to an amino acid found in protein that triggers the release of appetite-suppressing hormones in the gut.

It is hoped the findings may lead to a treatment that can mimic a high-protein diet, which can be difficult to maintain and come with numerous health risks.

These include constipation due to a lack of dietary fibre, increased risk of heart disease – because of higher red meat consumption – and concerns about kidney damage.

Experts now say the compound phenylalanine could be used in the fight against obesity.

Mariana Norton, lead researcher from Imperial College London, said: ‘Diets high in protein are known to encourage weight loss but adhering to them can be difficult.

‘Identifying the mechanisms that sense the protein may allow us to use drugs or functional foods to hijack appetite regulation, and treat obesity.’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk