Fast Food Meals

Food Tip: Chocolate Mints

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Amy Culver
QueenOfLean.com

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Nutrition: Fast Food Meals

Okay, yeah, we all try our very hardest to stay away from fast food restaurants.  I mean, who hasn’t at least heard about the film “Super Size Me”? 

But the truth is, it can be just about impossible to completely avoid them.  There are those times when you’re traveling and have to stop for a bite and that’s just all that’s around – or at least all that you have time for.

And for all those parents of little ones: yikes!  You want to say yes to a treat now and then, but how do you not succumb to a little temptation yourself?

Well, the truth is that the public has spoken and the fast food industry has listened.  There are some fairly decent choices out there when you find yourself being asked, “Would you like that for here or to go?”  You might be surprised too, at what the best choices are.  In most cases, by the time you add a pack of croutons and even the “light” dressing to a salad, you are looking at calorie and fat amounts similar to a burger and fries.  And here’s the thing – let’s be honest – which is going to satisfy you more?  I mean really, there you sit, watching everyone else eat burgers and fries and you’re gonna be satisfied with that salad? 

The truth is that we’re all much more likely to eat our salad AND start nibbling on the fries that everyone else got.  So, if you are gonna put over 400 calories and 20 grams of fat into your body, why not enjoy it a little?  Make the decision on what you want, limit your portion size and you won’t end up back in the car still wondering what’s for lunch.  To help you out, here are some sample meals:

Burger King   www.burgerking.com
Whopper Jr. (No Mayo) & Small Fries	520 Calories 25g Fat 57g Carbs 17g Protein 4g Fiber
Hamburger, Small Onion Rings AND a small Cherry Icee	550 Calories 19g Fat 80g Carbs 17g Protein 2g Fiber
Taco Bell - www.tacobell.com - The trick here is to go “Fresco” style on all items.  This means that they leave off the cheese and sauce and replace it with their Fiesta Salsa.
2 Crunchy Taco Supremes & 1 Side of Mexican Rice	430 Calories 18g Fat 51g Carbs 16g Protein 8g Fiber
2 Chicken Ranchero Tacos & 1 Side of Pinto Beans	450 Calories 10g Fat 61 Carbs 30g Protein 12g Fiber
McDonalds - www.mcdonalds.com - You know the list just can’t be complete without Ronald!  Besides, as the one company who’s received the largest amount of bad press, they’ve been the most pressured to make changes – and they offer some good choices.  For one thing:  their Newman’s Own dressings.  You can have an entire packet of the Low-Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette for only 40 calories and 3 grams of fat.  So if you really do want to chow down on a salad, or even order one on the side for a little extra munch, Mickey D’s is a good place to do it!
Hamburger & Small Fries	500 Calories 22g Fat 61g Carbs 14g Protein 5g Fiber
Honey Mustard Snack Wrap with Grilled Chicken & Fruit and Yogurt Parfait	420 Calories 11g Fat 58g Carbs 22g Protein 2g Fiber

So there you have it – next time you are faced with the fast food dilemma, you have some healthy options – and no excuses!

FOOD TIP: Chocolate Mints

Do you ever have trouble signaling the end of a meal to yourself?  You know what I mean – you just want to keep eating even though you’re full.  One tool I find that really helps me are Chocolate Covered Altoids. 

They give you a little sweet taste, especially if you slowly suck the chocolate off first.  And here’s another hint:  drink some cold water first – then the chocolate lasts quite a bit longer! 

When the chocolate is gone, you are left with a fairly strong mint taste that gives a nice signal to your mouth that you are done eating.  And the best part is that they are only 15 calories for 2 mints!