For those of us that have a sweet tooth, it’s important to evaluate the desserts we consume as we aim for optimal heart health as we age. A well-balanced diet, exercise and ample hydration can do wonders for your heart, but too many sugar-filled, fattening and high-calorie desserts can have negative impacts. For more information, we checked in with cardiologist Dr. Nitin Bhatnagar, M.D., D.O., to determine the worst kind of dessert for your heart that you might order at fast food eateries.
READ MORE: The Worst Type Of Restaurant Dessert That Is Putting Your Health At Risk, Experts Say
"Nothing feels more deserving than a high-calorie dessert after a heavy, salty fast food meal like fries, nuggets or burgers to further satisfy the sugar cravings," Bhatnagar acknowledges, but stresses that these desserts that are not only unhealthy, but should be "avoided all together," for your aging heart's sake.
"Any dessert that causes an abrupt spike in blood sugar that is already climbing to an elevated altitude after the fast food meal is to be cautioned," he says. Read on for more tips and specific kinds of treats to look out for: milkshakes.
How Milkshakes & Similar Dairy Treats Can Impact Your Heart Health
Milkshakes are classic dessert treats and undeniably delicious, but Bhatnagar deems them "a dangerous option" when taking your heart health into account.
Those with "additional fixings" are especially unhealthy, he says, due to the high amount of sugar in the dairy coupled with the syrups. "At times, milkshakes packed with 8 donuts worth of sugar are calorie equivalent to 2 chicken sandwiches," he notes, stressing that this does not promote optimal heart health in aging bodies.
Other dairy-filled desserts he mentions to watch out for include fast food ice creams and similar frozen items. "McDonald’s ice creams are known for their legendary taste, only to be notorious for their 80 g of sugar that rivals the calories of a Big Mac," he says.
"Burger King has their own thrilling chocolate shake, yet equally to be avoided for their 100 g of sugar," Bhatnagar continues.
From shakes to 'Blizzards' to cones, there really is no way to take these treats at these restaurants healthily. "Frozen desserts at [places like] Dairy Queen or Sonic are delicious, yet the high fructose corn syrup, additional peanut butter and Oreos increase the salt content to over 1000 mg," he says, stressing that this can top your dessert to "1800 calories with again 110 grams of sugar."
While these may be the worst kind of treats for your heart's sake, Bhatnagar also points out menu items like brownies aren't much better for you, even if you add fruit or other "seemingly healthy" toppings. "Fast food fudge chocolate brownies with syrups, and fruit with a large, hand-sized dollop of ice cream can easily be 2 main courses," he says. "It is the excess fat and processed sugars that do the damage to the heart."
Saturated fat, high sodium and very high sugar amounts in these kinds of foods and drinks greatly outweigh the daily recommended doses of fat, salt and sugar, Bhatnagar explains. This, he says, can "worsen the risk of diabetes, high cholesterol" and hypertension.
Pro Tip: If You Must, Have Milkshakes & Similar Treats In Moderation
Bhatnagar concludes that it is the "daily habit of consuming these tantalizing treats" that causes a "cumulative effect on the daily, weekly and yearly calorie requirement" that push the body over the edge into a heart-related illness. "Excess salts and sugars then effect the immune system, leading to other diseases as well," he adds.
