fast food

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2003
fast food
13
Sun, 05-02-2004 - 10:10pm
Is there any such thing as healthy choices at fast food places? Does anyone eat out at fast food places? If so, what are your favorite healthy choices to eat? I was recently on traveling on a long car trip and we stopped at McDonalds. I had a salad that was not good at all. It wasn't much more than wilted lettuce, a few shreds of carrots and maybe two ounces of chicken pieces. I usually don't even stop at fast food places, but dh and I figured that after sitting in the car for hours, dd would like to play at their playland. I know Subway has a good selection of sandwiches that are low fat. Next time maybe I'll stop there.

I wish there were more healthy alternatives. The nutritional value in a lot of fat food is so low. There are some salad places in food courts that I go to from time to time. Grilled chicken sandwiches might not be bad, but I wonder what additives they put in the chicken to make it taste "better" or make it juicier.

What are your thoughts on fast food? Does fast food have a place for those trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle? Should there be more healthy choices? Would you like to see changes in fast food's selections or do you just opt to eat elsewhere? Please clue me in on what healthy menu selections you like at fast food places.

Debbie

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: esperada
Sun, 05-02-2004 - 10:54pm

I do fast food on my dd's lesson nights which right now is twice a week.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
In reply to: esperada
Mon, 05-03-2004 - 7:23am

At McDs I usually go for the salads with the grilled chicken and the low fat balsamic dressing.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: esperada
Mon, 05-03-2004 - 7:43am

Debbie- great question. I think more and more joints are realizing that healthier alternatives are wanted/needed, and many of them are including better choices in their menus recently- low fat/ atkins or low carb/ salads, etc...


Here's a site I found with nutritional value from a few places: http://www.healthchecksystems.com/ffood.htm

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2004
In reply to: esperada
Mon, 05-03-2004 - 8:37am


I agree, fast food stuff is "iffy" sometimes. I am one who prefers Subway or Blimpies (discovered they have the low carb bread too) but if at Burger King or McDonalds I'll usually get a grilled chicken sandwhich and then not do the bread (or bread if I'm wanting some carbs). I like salads but am so particular about the lettuce most of the time, so it's usually better to make my own - don't see paying for wilted lettuce I won't eat (yuck!)LOL Some of them are starting to offer "low carb" meals, but you still have to watch the total fat...
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2003
In reply to: esperada
Mon, 05-03-2004 - 1:02pm
Thanks for the tips. That's a good idea to check online for nutritional information. I will do that.

Debbie

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2003
In reply to: esperada
Mon, 05-03-2004 - 1:05pm
Thanks! I will check that site out. Calie also suggested looking for nutritional information online which I didn't think to do. At least with that information it'll help us make better choices.

Debbie

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
In reply to: esperada
Mon, 05-03-2004 - 1:09pm

I actually went to the McDonalds site and it lists the nutrtional content of the food, so you could probably go to other sites and make a list of "good items" for you to carry in your purse, that way you could have a few choices.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: esperada
Mon, 05-03-2004 - 1:31pm
I eat out at fast food places with people at work.

Normally at wendy's I'll usually get their Chicken BLT salad with reduced calorie ranch dressing and a diet soda. That totals 520 calories. Or if I go to Subway, anything that is loaded with veggies is good for you and not really “bad”.

I’ve never attempted anything at McDonald’s yet. The chicken sandwich at wendy’s isn’t that healthy.

What you should do is go online. Wendy’s Subway and McDonald’s all has a nutrition section that allows you to look up different “meals” to get your food intake, Papa Gino’s does as well, so I bet BK probably does. This is what I do before I know we may go somewhere to know my options.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
In reply to: esperada
Mon, 05-03-2004 - 2:44pm

Fast food. Okay, here's what I've learned so far. The salads at most of the fast food places are FULL of fat and calories. NOT good. There are some healthier alternatives, you just have to watch it. Also, if you're looking for low-carb, what I'm about to write is kinda useless then.


Last night I was reading a Fitness magazine. It showed a sub sandwich, and a salad with chicken. Which was healthier? The sub. The chicken had about 200 more calories and about 20g more fat.


if you want healthy at mcd's. eat ONE hamburger. no fries. and maybe a shaker salad. if you want anything healthy at any fast food. go for the grilled chicken, or eat a SMALL portion. Even those yummy fruit and parfait things I love aren't really healthy.


My mom gave me a list of "good" foods at fast food. I should try to find it.


For me. Fast food is not healthy. But instead, I just try to watch my portions. So, instead of say a quarter pounder w/cheese meal. I'll get a hamburger, a small parfait, and a shaker salad. and drink water. Much healthier overall. or just eat a happy meal.


good luck.

~Cher




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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-14-2003
In reply to: esperada
Mon, 05-03-2004 - 2:51pm
All th e information here is correct. You can check any fast food info ono the web page. I have two or three items memorized from the local fast food. jack in th box has chicken pita bread that is 250 calories, iced tea 0. SO taht easy Taco bell you can get a chicken fiest burrito for 360. Burger kings hass some new chicken sandwich calories 380 and they are good and big. If all else fails i stick to the kids meak, like mcdonalds small cheesburger small fries andd icea tea. So as long as you stay around that you should be fine.

Rainey



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