We all know the benefits of 'clean food', of making your own healthy, yummy, homecooked meals: cheaper, portion control, etc etc.

But sometimes ya just don't have the time for that! So I was wondering what you ladies had discovered for good 'on the go' conveinence type food or snacks. Or dare I say it, fast food?

I'll start: I tried the Asian Salad with grilled chicken and low fat sesame ginger dressing from McDonalds today. I thought it was really yummy! There was snow peas, glazed grilled chicken, romaine and baby spinach, mandarin oranges, almonds, and some sort of green bean or pea. I'm glad that I didn't immediately pour the dressing on, though. The chicken comes in an orange glaze sauce that sweetens the salad, so I didn't need much dressing after that. It was very tasty overall!

edit: The salad has 290 calories, 10 grams of fat, and is 6 points on weight watchers. The dressing is 90 calories, but I used maybe 1/4 of the packet it comes in.

What are some of your favorites?

I always buy pre-cut veggies, even though they're more expensive, 'cause I know I'm way more likely to eat them. I love those sundried tomato and basil tunas - perfect size and you can just spread it on crackers. And the Lean Cuisine Asian salmon meal is a definite favorite. I can't eat in fast food restaurants 'cause I hate the smell of them, so I just look for easy stuff to pack as a lunch.
ooh, and All Bran bars - they're kinda sweet, so i pretend they're a treat!

I like the fast food salads too, but i use my own fat free dressing that i buy in mini bottles. I have one at work too, and some small containers that i will put the dressing in to take with me if i know im going to be running all day long and will need to stop for something.
I used to love Wendy's fruit and yogart things they had, but i think they're not longer offered by me.. or I just hit up subway with light mayo on it.

My favorites if I have to get a snack out: beef jerky. It is high sodium, but relatively low in calories and really low in fat. It works, and you can find it at any gas station, anywhere. I try, though, to pack snacks if I can - things that are easily portable include babybel cheeses with some crackers, etc.

Subway is good for meals, if you get a low-cal sandwich and watch the extras. I have been getting the all-fruit smoothies at jamba juice lately - I add a protein boost so it has some extra holding power, and a fiber boost. Make sure you get an all-fruit version, though! The other ones have LOTS more calories - the all fruit with protein and fiber is only about 350, which is a reasonable meal, and it sticks pretty well (and has all 5 of your servings of fruit!)

I also eat lots of Lean Cuisines for lunches and i try and keep dried fruits and unsalted nuts with me (from farmer's market) for snacking.

I may have to try that fruit smoothie, Mandalinn, I love Jamba Juice...of course, I like the kind with sugary apple juice and other bad-for-me stuff But an all-fruit smoothie sounds good. Getting in all 5 at once sounds good, sometimes I struggle to get my 5 a day.

Mmm, smoothies... I usually throw 5-6 frozen strawberries, 1/2 banana, 1/2c plain yogurt, and a splash of 1% milk together for mine... Though if you're not used to plain yogurt it might seem a little bitter (you can use vanilla yogurt too). I just like the thicker consistency of yogurt over milk.

This weekend I discovered Special K Snack Bites... 90 cals for a package, and they taste pretty good too! I will definitely buy them again!

I love using fresh vanilla soy milk in my smoothies (i hate milk) 'cause it's sweet and makes it taste more like a milk shake, and you can get it fortified with calcium, so it's good for you, too

Now I really want to go make some smoothies! Might have to go and get some fresh strawberries and see what I can whip up. There's a 'pick your own' farm about 3 miles from my parents' place--2 quarts worth for $5! ::drools::