Wednesday, April 16, 2014

RSVP: Quick Tips for Healthy Choices at Fast Food Restaurants

What is the issue: Fast food is cheap, filling, convenient and tastes so good.  One fast food meal can be a whole day's worth of calories, fat, sodium, and sugar.  Fast food on a daily basis leads to a wide variety of different health problems.  These fast food options are too tempting for certain people to refuse.

When  is it healthy to eat fast food: Moderation is key.  A well balanced meal can be a challenge to find at a fast food restaurant but there are always healthier choices than others.

How to make healthier options:
  • Pay attention to the descriptions on the menu
    • deep-fried
    • pan-fried
    • batter-dipped
    • breaded
    • creamy
    • crispy
    • scalloped
    • au gratin
  • Drink water with your meal
    • Soda has a lot of hidden calorically dense calories
    • Try adding lemon to water or unsweetened iced tea
  • "Undress" your food
    • Be aware of calorically or fat dense salad dressings, spreads, cheese, sour cream
    • Ask for sauce yourself and put it on yourself. So, you know how much you are putting on.Ask for veggies/main dishes to be served without sauces.
  • Pay attention to what you eat and savor bites.
    • Chew food thoroughly
    • Avoid eating when in a hurry
    • It takes 20 minutes for the brain to realize that you are full. so eat slow.
  • Order a side salad instead of fries.
  • Don't supersize anything.
  • Take home half a portion or divide with the person you go with.
  • Instead of ordering bacon, try and order extra pickles, lettuce, tomato, mustard
  • Try to avoid buffets, but if you do go to them, try to eat more fruits and veggies.
Where are these fast food restaurants:
  • The big juicy burger joints
    • McDonalds
    • Wendys
  • Fried chicken restaurants
    • Chick fil a
    • KFC
  • Taco chains
    • Taco Bell
  • Sub, deli, and sandwich chains
    • Subway
    • Penn Station
  • Asian restaurants
    • Chinese Buffets
  • Italian and pizza chains
    • Pizza Hut
  • Etc.

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