What To Do If You Must Eat Fast Food

What to do when the options are.... starvation or fast food?

Photo courtesy of morguefile.com and Cohdra

No denying fast food is not healthy. So what do you do? 

Turn into a grumpy, starving Snickers scarfing Joe Pesci or eating some fast food?

Eat fast food.

Food is a basic necessity of life. If the choice is starvation or poor nutrition and processed food; take the latter. 

Reminder: Starvation is NOT "I can't wait 30 minutes until I get home for a snack or dinner." 

If you must eat fast food, here's what to do.

Emergencies only. Don't call 9-1-1 for directions. Don't eat fast food unless you must. A majority of 'emergencies' can be prevented with proper planning. 

• Pack snacks for road trips and airport travel
• Keep something in the car
• Eat before you go

Emergency means it is a last resort, not the first response.

Simplify. Big order = big bad health. I don't mean ordering seven things because you have a car full of six kids and a dog. I mean a double patty plus large fries and a bucket for soda. When 'fast fooding' remember less is more.

• Order items instead of meals
• Grilled beats fried and breaded any day
• Seek out items you can name and count all the ingredients

Skip. "Skipping actually burns more calories than jogging alone." Just ask Phil Dunphy from 'Modern Family'. Not what I meant though. Skip the extras and additions.

• Minus cheese and sauce, please (Don't worry they're both fake anyways.)
• Dressing on the side or not at all
• Skip the soda and replace with water

Stop-gap. Remember it doesn't have to be the meal to end all meals. It can be a small- hold me over- snack until something better comes along.

• Grab produce from a grocery store instead of snack from a gas station
• Find small, fresh options to tackle hunger

Food emergencies are bound to happen. The best advice is to have a plan for when they do and to avoid frequenting fast food restaurants frequently.

What healthier fast food options have you discovered?