M a l e g r a m s • N u t r i t i o n M a l e g r a m s • N u t r i t i o n

f o o d f i g h t Burger Brawl It’s hard to tear yourself away from the lure of a good burger, even though you know you should enjoy them in moderation. But if you’re a diehard fan of the greasy (albeit yummier) side of life, we put some signature burgers to the test to find out which one slaps a little less guilt on that expanding waistline.

Round one: Fat

Burger King’s Hard Rock Café MacDonald’s KFC Zinger Carls Junior’s Dan Ryan’s Swensen’s Mos Burger’s Junior Pig Fat 30.3 g Famous Star Burger Mushroom Yakiniku Fat 22.3 g Fat 41 g Fat 30 g Burger Fat 28 g Chicken Burger Burger Fat 32 g Fat 55 g Fat 27 g

Round two: Calories

BK Whopper Junior KFC Zinger Dan Ryan’s Burger Mos Burger’s Yakiniku 420 calories 517 calories 690 calories 510 calories

Round three: Protein

And the Burger Baron is… BK Whopper Junior BK Whopper Junior Mos Burger’s Yakiniku Rice Burger Protein 18 g Protein 16 g

Ask The Several studies have shown that Q: I read that taking beneficial. Omega-6 fatty acids in DIETITIAN citrus fruit peels, white pith and essential fatty acids will safflower, soybean, corn, or can- Thomas Teh pulps contain phytonutrients and help with my eczema problem. ola oils are called Linoleic Acid dietary fibre. Phytonutrients may how do they help me? (LA), which are converted to GLA reduce blood pressure and inflam- in the body. In many cases, the Roy Q: The white mation, while dietary fibre is reduced conversion of LA to GLA stuff that useful to relieve constipation and Research shows that the balance in your body contributes to aller- maintain healthy bowels. On top of of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty gic reactions. GLA can be found in clings to these benefits, oranges are in acids (the essential fatty acids) plant seed oils such as borage or peeled oranges, themselves a natural source of helps to modulate immune evening primrose oil. However, Vitamin C, as well as antioxidants responses, including allergic reac- since the efficacy of fatty acids e that’s good tions. For skin abnormalities such T

that protect you from free radicals. supplementation in treating i as eczema and atopic dermatitis, e for me, right? So the next time you eat an orange, eczema is still debatable, you W What does it remember ‘the white stuff’ is also certain types of omega-6 fatty should consult your physician a n the ‘good stuff’. acid, specifically Gamma Linolenic before you start taking them to T do exactly? Acid (GLA), have been shown to be prevent undesired side effects.

TS Sim Thomas Teh is a registered dietitian with the National Kidney Foundation and a member of the Singapore Nutrition and Dietetics Association (www.snda.org.sg), an organisation providing direction and leadership for quality nutrition and dietetic practice, education and research. Photographs by

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