by Michy Lynn

Created on: March 30, 2009   Last Updated: March 31, 2009

Fast Doesn't Have to Mean Fat or Bad

Eating take out is easy and convenient, but it's not usually cheap or healthy. Fresh fruit, vegetables and low-fat entree choices can make for a better lifestyle and more energy and better health. However, there is a compromise between fresh, home-made cooking and burgers, fries or greasy pizza. There is a way to eat fast food, take-out ordering, at the same fast food restaurants where your friends eat, but make it healthier and tastier choices.

Fast Food Salads

The easy choice is that most fast food joints offer some form of a salad. However, don't assume that a salad at a fast food restaurant automatically means healthy. Sometimes, a small burger with lettuce and tomato is better than a salad with dressing, croutons, bacon bits, imitation cheese, chili, onions rings or fried chicken strips on top. Check those dressings too, with lots of high fructose corn syrup or added sugar and carbs.

If you must have dressing, ask for it on the side, and then dip your salad fixings in the dressing. You'll use less that way. You can also carry a salad spray in your purse or briefcase.

Oil and herb dressings, lemon juice and spices, and vinegar dressing are usually better than the creamy versions. Skip the things like chicken strips and onion rings, and who really thinks chili is a salad topping?

Don't Super-Size of Giant-Size

A few pennies more and you can plus size your meal, but those few pennies add up to over 200-400 extra calories. In truth, you either don't eat all and waste the money and the food or if you do eat it all, you feel bloated and overeat. Just say not to upsizing fast food meal deals.

Order Vegetables

Fresh veggies are good for you, so ask for extras. Most fast food restaurants won't mind piling on some extra onion, lettuce and tomato and usually without charging extra for them.

Chicken Dishes

Don't assume chicken is better for you than hamburger meat. Two pieces of breaded and fried chicken have more calories than a small hamburger with all the fixings and mustard. Which one will fill you up more? Baked chicken is better than fried chicken. Grilled chicken or grilled chicken salads aren't a bad choice either.

Buy Iced Tea or Diet Soft Drinks

If you must have a soft drinnk, stick with a diet drink. However, most of the time even sugar-sweetened lemonade or punches are still better than soft drinks. Sweeten tea with sugar alternatives if you must. Lemon or lime is acceptable too.

Asian Cuisine

Try steamed rice if you must eat rice. Fried rice has far more calories and fat. Stir fried vegetables are a good choice, and definitely better than breaded and fried veggies. Stick with brothy soups instead of creamy ones, and dumplings and noodles will fill you up, but will also pack on the pounds. Salad and stir fry, sushi, broth soups are the way to go with Asian dining.

Unhealthy Fast Foods to Avoid

These are just some practical examples of ways to cut back on fat and calories when you need to get a quick fast food fix or are out with friends and must order out. Words to watch out for are: fried, breaded, buttered, battered, creamy, cheesy, large.

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