Go go go…that is what you do all day long. We live in a fast paced society, everything has to be high speed from our internet connections right down to the foods that we eat! Millions of Americans are consuming fast food meals on a daily basis and it is having a serious effect on our health and our waistlines! If you are a fast food junky listen up. By making smarter and healthier choices at the drive through, fast food actually can be incorporated into a fit and healthy lifestyle!
Fast food is available virtually everywhere, it is usually lacking in nutritional value and is high in fat and calories. Fast food is quick, convenient and cheap. It is part of our society and part of the lifestyle of millions of Americans. If you are looking to lose weight, increase your energy levels and improve your health but are limited on grocery shopping or food preparation time, I have some tips that will help you make healthier choices even when your chow is coming through a drive through window!
Choose grilled not fried foods. Skip the fried foods and you will cut back on unhealthy trans fats and excess calories, as well as get a jump start on your weight loss goals. Choose chicken. Most fast food joints have some type of grilled chicken sandwich. Picking chicken over beef will significantly decrease the amount of calories and fats you are consuming.
If you aren’t ready to give up your burgers just yet, start by choosing a junior burger and order it without cheese. If you feel like you can’t give up the fries just yet start by ordering a small size and don’t eat the whole thing. When you are committed to your fitness goals and motivated enough to eliminate these items from your diet you will be amazed at how much better your body will feel, how much easier weight loss will be, and how much more energy you will have!
Skip the dips and nix the mayo. Sauces including barbeque and even ketchup are typically loaded with sugar, check out the ingredients on a ketchup package and you may be surprised to see that high fructose corn syrup is at the top of the list! Mayonnaise is very high in fat and calories. Eliminating it is the best choice, but if you do choose to use it, practice moderation! Mustard is a better condiment choice.
Beware when ordering salads! Just because it has something green in it doesn’t automatically make it healthy. Salads laden with items such as bacon, cheese, fried chicken or wontons can contain as many calories as a burger, so be sure you know what you are ordering. Choose salads loaded with veggies and a good protein source such as chicken, fish, turkey, beans, or egg whites. Don’t sabotage your healthy eating efforts by drowning your salad with high fat high calorie dressings! Stay away from any dressing that is cream based, choose a light dressing or vinaigrette and keep it on the side for dipping purposes. Choose a fresh made sandwich over a burger. Sub shops allow you to load your sandwich with plenty of veggies and usually give you a whole wheat bread option. Skip the fried chips and choose baked or pretzels instead. Order a small sandwich. If you do order a large eat half of it and save the rest for your next small meal in a couple of hours.
When you have to eat on the go, popping into the grocery store for a fresh made salad or sandwich is also a great alternative to burgers and fries, it may take a few seconds longer than the drive through but it will give you the opportunity to grab a piece of fresh fruit to go with your meal!
Remember that a calorie is a calorie even when it comes in liquid form. Sodas, fruit juices and even sweetened iced teas are typically packed with sugar. In a super sized beverage you may be consuming over half of your daily calories! Water is always the best choice, but if you must have a soda make it a diet.
In a perfect world we would all have time to prepare meals that we could eat consistently throughout the day in order to keep our metabolism up and keep our bodies properly fueled. Let’s get real! With hectic lifestyles, busy jobs and families to care for the importance of food preparation is easily pushed to the side in exchange for a fast food alternative. Since quick meals on the go are part of our culture it’s high time that we recognize the fact that you CAN make healthy choices and lead a fit life even if your next meal comes in a paper bag.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diana_Chaloux
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