Making Fast Food a Little Healthier

Fast food is part of our culture and is not going away anytime soon. If you are unable to steer clear of it, do your best to make a healthy choice! 

BE PREPARED! Remember your overall goals! Fast food and dieting don’t exactly go hand in hand but by being prepared, not being afraid to special order, and planning a little bit you can make eating at a fast food restaurant healthier.

 Tips when going out to eat!

• Limit the extras – no high calorie sauces such as mayo or BBQ sauce.


• Stay away from liquid calories. Water please!


• Get the grilled option. Stay away from fried foods!


• Go skinless. Take off any skin that may be on your turkey or chicken

 Convenient store

• Water


•  Fresh fruit        


•  String cheese


•  Yogurt


•  Beef jerky


• Protein bar or Granola bar (Cliff bar, Luna bar, Nature Valley, protein bar of choice)


• Nuts (single serving)      

Wendy’s

• Garden Sensation Salads- limit dressing, chose low fat, low calories or top with chili for a taco salad and a little extra protein!


• Grilled chicken sandwich


• Chili with potato – low fat sour cream if any


• Limit extra cheese and mayo on hamburgers    

Taco Bell

• Fresco style tacos and burritos


• Chicken soft tacos


•  Chicken burrito


•   Bean burrito


•   Taco salad, but don’t eat the shell!

* beware of sour cream, cheese, and guacamole. These are all high calories extras. Use sparingly. Don’t be afraid to special order.

Mc Donald’s

• Chicken McGrill, no mayo!


• Side salad- Light on the dressing. Choose low fat vinaigrette.


• Grilled chicken salad- Light on the dressing. Choose low fat vinaigrette


• Egg McMuffin


• Fruit and yogurt parfait (very high in carbs, beware if diabetic)         

Subway

• Choose lean meats (chicken, turkey, ham, roast beef)


• Pile on the veggies


• Light on the sauces- choose low calorie sauces such as mustard, light mayo, or vinegar.


• Ask for no cheese- you usually cant even taste it on the sandwich and this will save you at least 100 calories.


• Choose whole grain breads

  Pizza

• Ask for thin crust


•  Limit appetizers such as breadsticks or wings


• Load on the veggies


• Choose lean meats like Canadian bacon or chicken


• Have a side salad instead of going back for a second helping of pizza.

NOTICE: All chain restaurants have their menus and nutrition facts online! Review them before going out to eat so you know exactly what you are getting!