From the article: Healthy Fast Food Meals for Less than 500 Calories
Believe it or not, fast food can be a part of any healthy diet -- even if you're trying to lose weight. The trick is to find simple ways to reduce calories without completely giving up your favorite treats. My top way to cut fast food calories is to avoid high-fat "extras": I order sandwiches without cheese, I say "hold the mayo" and I bring my own low-cal dressing. How do you cut fast food calories?
My tips to cut Fast Food Calories
- I order a side salad in place of fries with low fat dressing. Use only 1/2 if it's 2 oz. I drink ice tea or diet soda. Order a small or regular delux ( lettuce, tomato, onion & pickle) burger or sometimes a grilled chicken sandwich. If price is an issue, I'll order the "special" and eat it open face. McD's has the grilled chicken snack wraps and I'll have one with honey mustard sauce. Carl's Jr has a grilled chicken sandwich on a whole wheat bun. If I go to Taco Bell then I order a plain bean & cheese burrito - it's filling and the cheese is offset by not eating the meat. I love Arby's but the one near me closed so I buy a few regular roast beef when I get the chance, and freeze them to take to work. Then I use my own horseradish instead of the mayo & fat heavy "horsey sauce" with a little bit of lt mayo. Dipping it into fat free beef broth is good, too. If you can, keep some fruit with you or in your car; like apples, oranges or even the small sugar free applesauce cups.
- —Koala.Bear
Cut fast food Calories
- I very rarely have fast food because the other members of my family have celiac disease and must stick to a gluten free menu. Wendy's is one of the few fast food chains that they can eat at. The chili is very good and they also have side salads and baked potatoes.
- —Guest Gfmama
Cutting calories when eating fast food
- Don't buy fast food unless there is nothing else. Use salad dressing off the salad by dipping fork with each forkfull of salad. Cut servings to half. Order grilled vs fried. No potatoes, unless they are sweet potatoes and baked. Drink water instead of soda FFmilk, vs whole milk. Load up on salad, no desserts or sweet breads. Fresh fruit instead of pie, cake or milk shakes. Enjoy the taste of fresh vegetables.
- —Guest Carmen Dennis
Fast food tips
- Tip #1: Try to avoid fast food restaurants :-) Tip #2: Any grilled chicken sandwich with no mayo will work Tip #3: Subway 6" sandwiches with all the veggies and vinegar only Tip #4: For all restaurants, hold all condiments, dipping sauces, gravies etc Tip #5: Just because fries generally come with burgers doesn't mean you have to order them. Choose either the fries OR the burger. Tip #6: Keep a protein bar in your purse or car so you can avoid hitting the fast food joint in the first place.
- —acretin
