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Life in the Fast Lane

Understanding the fast-paced reality of all our lives, it may not always be possible to be as prepared as we would like. We should all reserve the right, when days do not go as well as planned, to surrender to circumstances and make the best choices possible. In other words, your heading for the drive-thru and you want to get the most out of what you’re about to eat. Here are some general rules for successful fast-food dining:

· Forget the bun. It is high in sugar and hydrogenated oil. It’s what’s in between that counts. Grilled chicken or fish sandwiches don’t have to be so awful —just order it plain (without mayonnaise, ketchup or mustard) and remove the bun. If you do decide on the sandwich route, Arby’s® light roast chicken deluxe is the best choice. Wendy’s® plain kid’s meal hamburger is better than other burgers on the same menu. McDonald’s® filet of fish without tarter sauce (you must special order this), will also serve you well. Subway® turkey breast on wheat roll is surprisingly high in fat and calories. If you find yourself at Subway®, choose no mayo. Taco Bell bean burrito without the cheese and eliminating as much of the excess tortilla as possible is a favorite of mine.

· Check out the salad selections. Grilled chicken or fish on top of lettuce and onions, maybe a few carrots, cucumbers, can be another decent choice. It’s low in fat, and you may be getting a bit of fiber in your salad. (Suggestions: McDonald’s® chunky chicken salad, Wendy’s® Salad Bar)
· Soups can be a hidden source of hydrogenated fat, sugar and empty calories. Arby’s® old-fashioned chicken noodle is a good selection.
· Mexican food can also be a good resource. Taco Bell® is one of the most popular fast food restaurants that most people seem to gravitate towards. A plain bean burrito, no cheese, no sour cream (you must specify this), is an okay choice. Taco Bell® taco salad has a whopping 31.30 grams of fat, probably hydrogenated, a bad choice.

· Tips for eating out in general: Skip the bread that arrives first to the table. If you are “starving,” order a salad and ask for that as soon as possible. Choose protein and vegetables and skip the starch. Grilled fish or chicken and steamed vegetables are almost always available. Most restaurants will stretch the menu a bit to accommodate your requests. Myself I always make special requests of cooking with no oil or specific substitutions of say romaine lettuce for head lettuce, dressing on the side or eggs over easy or scrambled but light or no oil.