The Fast Food Guide

Healthy dining at a fast-food restaurant may seem to be a contradiction in terms, but as the authors of this information-packed book attest, it can be done. Fritschner and Jacobson, executive director of the Center For Science in the Public Interest, here review 17 of the top fast-food chains, including MacDonald's, Domino's Pizza and Dunkin' Donuts. While not exactly encouraging fast-food consumption, they see it as a necessary evil for busy families and provide a thorough introduction to its nutritive potential. Then come charts covering the menus for each chain and breaking down items into caloric, protein, cholesterol and fat components. The authors also offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of the chains and an assessment of how they solicit your dollars. For example, many are now responding to their customers' desire for healthier food by improving the contents of their traditional burger-fries-soda staples. The data here makes it easier to steer all concerned to the most wholesome items on the menu whenever you roll up to the order window. (Feb.)