The sandwiches are not alright

Every day, about 50% of America eats a sandwich. And according to nutritionists that’s… not exactly great.

⌚🥪 Tick, tock… Like a hoagie in veggie’s clothing, today’s run of the mill, processed meat and cheese sandwich is the same as “eating a heart bomb,” Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and professor of nutrition and medicine at Tufts University, told the WSJ.

• According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the average turkey sandwich in 1996 had 320 calories. Nearly twenty years later, the average has increased to 820 calories.

🗺️ Follow the breadcrumbs: It’s not just about the size either. Per the WSJ, here are a few of the sandwich’s unhealthiest parts (and healthier alternatives):

• Bread - Highly processed white flour causes a spike to blood sugar and insulin levels, followed by a crash that leaves you hungry (opt instead for 100% whole wheat or whole grain).
• Processed meats - High in sodium and preservatives, these increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer (choose fresh chicken, steak, turkey or tuna instead).
• Condiments - Mustard and ketchup are often high in sodium and added sugar (opt instead for mayo, which it somehow turns out is healthy!).

Surprisingly, the nutritionists said nothing about whether a hot dog is a sandwich, so technically we’re still good to keep scarfing those down.