9 Health Hazards in Takeout Breakfast; What to Eat for Breakfast for Different Groups
Whether it's women at home, busy students, or office workers, breakfast shops are a popular choice for many. But what are the actual hygiene and nutritional conditions of these breakfast shops? How can you eat healthily?
There are 9 major hygiene hazards in fast-food breakfast shops:
1. Handling ready-to-eat food directly after handling cash, without washing or disinfecting hands (100%);
2. Handling food directly after touching the refrigerated display case, without washing or disinfecting hands (100%);
3. Staff not wearing masks or hats (87%);
4. Severe buildup of dirt and dust on ceilings, walls, or pipes (67%);
5. Handling ingredients directly after touching cleaning cloths (60%);
6. Staff wearing rings or bracelets (47%);
7. Trash not cleared from tables or indoor/outdoor floors (47%);
8. Sauce bottles left uncovered (47%);
9. Using the same tongs for raw and cooked food, posing a risk of cross-contamination (40%).
Expert Advice:
First, consumers should choose breakfast shops with better hygiene where staff wear masks and gloves.
Second, everyone should urge the shop owners to wash their hands after touching money or cleaning cloths, and to maintain strict staff division of labor.
3 Major Nutritional Deficiencies in Fast-Food Breakfast
Besides hygiene and safety, breakfast should also be nutritious and balanced. However, many set meals in breakfast shops have nutritional deficiencies.
Experts believe: The amount of protein is generally sufficient, but the biggest problem is that it's "too greasy";
At the same time, dairy products are almost always insufficient, and there is too little fruit and vegetables.
Furthermore, breakfast shops offer many processed foods with heavy sauces, so the sodium content in their products is often high.
Expert Advice:
First, consumers should ask the shop to add more vegetables, or request "lettuce salad" on the menu.
Second, opt for more whole grains or coarse grains.
Third, eat fewer sausages and try to choose whole meat cuts like pork tenderloin or chicken thighs.
Fourth, ask the shop for sugar-free and low-sugar black tea, coffee, soy milk, and low-fat fresh milk. The more people who request this, the more it can encourage businesses to improve.
Fifth, it is suggested that breakfast shops sell fruit, although none currently do.
Finally, to reduce food safety risks, everyone should also:
1. Make sure the breakfast shop cooks eggs thoroughly.
2. Unless you're short on time, try to choose food made to order to avoid excessive bacteria.
3. For beverages, ceramic or glass cups are best for in-store dining. For takeout, use heat-resistant paper cups. Remember to use clear straws, as colored straws can have high lead content, which may be harmful to health.
Breakfast Tips for Different Groups:
1. School children in their developmental stage
Supplement with calcium and protein. The most easily overlooked nutrient for growing children is calcium. Remember to choose fresh milk for breakfast. If your child doesn't like fresh milk, yogurt is also a good option, or adding a slice of cheese to a hamburger or egg pancake can also boost calcium intake.
High-quality protein is also an essential element for breakfast. Sources like eggs, meat slices, beans, and milk can all be found at breakfast shops.
2. Men who are often on the go or have high physical exertion
Get enough starch to reserve energy for the day. For people with high activity levels who need to store sufficient energy, increasing starch intake is most important.
It's recommended to increase the portion of carbohydrates for breakfast, but don't eat it all at once: order a breakfast with both vegetables and meat that is more filling, and buy an extra thick slice of toast or a steamed bun to eat around 10 AM when you feel a little hungry.
Of course, if you can carry a piece of fruit or other snack with you, it can not only replenish energy but also provide a variety of nutrients, which is best for your health.
3. Office ladies or women who want to maintain their figure
Choose whole grains and vegetables for a healthy, non-fattening breakfast. For a healthier breakfast, don't forget to add some vegetables. You can also ask the shop to add a few more lettuce leaves to your hamburger or egg pancake.
In addition, experts suggest that one-third of your daily staple foods should come from whole grains. Therefore, try to choose "whole wheat toast" or "whole wheat pancakes" as good sources of carbohydrates.