The Hidden Health Risks of Convenience

I wanted to share something important with you because I genuinely care about your health. We all know how hectic life can get, with long work hours, family obligations, and myriad social commitments pulling us in different directions. When we’re exhausted from a long day, it’s so tempting to just grab some fast food or pick up what we think is a healthy meal from a restaurant. But sometimes, these choices aren’t as healthy as they seem. Many fast food and restaurant meals are loaded with hidden sugars, unhealthy fats, and excessive sodium, which can contribute to long-term health issues like obesity, hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. Even meals marketed as “healthy” can be misleading. Salads might come drenched in calorie-laden dressings, smoothies could contain more sugar than a can of soda, and grilled items might be cooked in unhealthy oils. It’s crucial to be mindful of what we’re consuming, scrutinizing ingredient lists and nutritional information whenever possible. By taking a little extra time to prepare meals at home with fresh, whole ingredients, we can have better control over what goes into our bodies.

Let me tell you about a day I had recently. I worked from 8:30 in the morning until about 8:30 at night. By the time I was done, I was completely wiped out and knew that cooking a meal was out of the question. So, I swung by Chipotle and got myself a chicken burrito and a barbacoa bowl for my husband. I drove home and plopped down to eat. I only got through a third of my burrito when I started feeling really off. I felt dizzy, hot, and my heart was racing. I couldn’t figure out what was going on at first, but something told me to check my blood pressure. To my shock, it was sky-high at 162/102! Normally, my blood pressure is just fine, but that burrito sent it through the roof. I quickly drank a glass of potassium water and a big glass of regular water, then took some magnesium glycinate, let everything settle and went to bed.

The next day, I decided to fast on water, teas, and beet-carrot juice to give my body a break. By the second morning, my blood pressure was thankfully back to normal at 117/80. Phew!

The reason I’m sharing this story is to highlight how crucial it is to be aware of what we’re putting into our bodies. Let’s make technology work for us. Next time you’re at a fast food place or a supposedly healthy restaurant, whip out your phone and ask Google, “How many milligrams of sodium are in this veggie burrito or whatever you’re having?” You might be surprised by the answer. You can choose to take that information seriously or ignore it and risk eating something that could spike your blood pressure and make you feel super shitty.

We all have the power to make better choices, and I hope you do just that. The recommended daily sodium intake is 2,300 mg per day, but ideally, you should aim for 1,200 to 1,500 mg. If you’re of African descent, it’s especially important to watch your sodium intake because salt is NOT a friend. There are so many delicious spices and herbs that can flavor your food without the added salt.

For me, certain ingredients are guaranteed to spike my blood pressure:

• Soy sauce
• Foods cooked with MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)
• Added salt or seasoning salt like Adobo

There are several restaurants (only a few mentioned below) and types of cuisine that no longer appeal to me due to their high sodium content:

Chipotle (Check for yourself)

Chicken Burrito with fixings – over 2170 mg

Barbacoa Burrito with fixing – over 2300 mg

Chik Fil A (Check for yourself)

Spicy Chicken Sandwich – 1730 mg

Waffle Fries 240 mg – I used to love eating this sandwich with fries but NO more … and we all love those sauces that range from 75 to 570 mg

Cobb Salad – 1700 mg and that’s without the avocado lime dressing. With avocado lime dressing add another 520 mg

Firehouse Subs (Check for yourself)

Firehouse Chopped Salad with Grilled Chicken – 1687 mg with Balsamic Dressing – 341 mg

Sweet and Spicy Meatball Large – 3750 mg

New York Steamer – 3871 mg

Pei Wei Asian Kitchen (Check for yourself)

Signature Chicken Lettuce Wraps – 4160 mg

Spicy General Tso – 1290 mg

Teriyaki Chicken – 1440 mg

Hot and Sour Soup – 4030 mg

Prioritizing our health doesn’t have to mean hours in the kitchen or giving up convenience altogether. Simple strategies like meal prepping on weekends, choosing whole foods over processed ones, and learning to read nutrition labels can make a significant difference. By making informed choices, we can nourish our bodies properly and maintain our well-being, even amid the busiest of schedules.

Remember, taking care of yourself is the first step toward being able to take care of everything and everyone else in your life. So, be cautious, my sisters. The quality of food cooked outside the home often includes ingredients that aren’t good for our bodies. Let’s take control of our health by making informed and smart choices about what we eat. Stay healthy out there!