I read this in the paper today.

1) Check the internet before you go to get the nutritional information. Even if the item is listed as "healthy," check the information!
2) Check the serving size and look to see how much you'll have to eat to feel satisfied.
3) Say no to the extras (cheese, mayo, croutons, etc.), look for grilled and broiled, order a salad or broth-based soup as an appetizer.

Making better choices:

Taco Bell: Two Fresco Style Chicken Ranchero Tacos or Fresco Burrito Supreme. Fit Tip:Order everything "fresco-style," which means with salsa and without cheese and sauce.

McDonald's: Chicken McGrill sandwich without the mayo, California Cobb Salad (before dressing), Caesar Salad with grilled chicken (before dressing). Fit Tip:Always choose grilled rather than crispy, hold the mayo, and choose a dressing like Newman's Own Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Wendy's: Ultimate Chicken Grill Sandwich, 2 1/4 pound classic singles without bun or condiments except ketchup, Mandarin Chicken Salad with almonds (no noodles and you save 140 cals. w/o almonds) and fat-free dressing. Fit Tip:Use Wendy's reduced-calories dressings sparingly because they are a bit higher than other chains.

Burger King: Chicken Whopper Sandwich on small bun without may, veggie burger with no mayo, angus steak burger, fire-grilled shrimp garden salad. Fit Tip:Order anything low-carb and itcomes w/o mayo, ketchup or a bun.

Subway: 6" veggie delite, 6" savory turkey breast, roasted chicken noodle soup. Fit Tip:Ask for a double meat 6" sub if you're really hungry (roast beef, turkey or ham).

Jack in the Box: Asian chicken salad (no wonton strips) with low-fat balsamic dressing, chicken fajita pita, chicken sanadwich with low-fat herb mayo. Fit Tip:Stick with a regular bun rather than specialty bread (pannida or sour dough) or go bunless.

Arby's: Regular roast beef sandwich, chicken club with lite buttermilk ranch dressing. Fit Tip:Avoid the Market Fresh sandwiches (they're almost 700 cals.).

KFC: Tender roast sandwich, caesar salad w/o dressing. Fit Tip:Take the skin off the original recipe chicken breast to save 240 cals., and choose green beans or corn on the cob as sides.

Great tips Sheila. I don't hardly ever eat fast food anymore. To much temptation, but it is good to know that there are healthier options if I do go.

Thanks Sheila! Great ideas. I am banning fast food till I can get used to my new lifestyle of eating but I will keep a copy of that for later.

Thanks Sheila! I'm avoiding all fast food places currently, but I'll keep this thread in mind when I finally feel that I have things under control.

Melissa

Thank you for posting this!!


I used to do all of these things, gotta start it back up.


My personal picks:

Taco Bell: I don't go there while dieting. I cannot be good. Their Caramel Apple Empanadas are responsible for some of my regain.

McDonald's: California Cobb Salad, no chicken, lowfat ranch dressing, less than half a packet. Also the Bacon Ranch salad, no chicken, same dressing. Fruit parfaits!!

Wendy's: Mandarin Chicken Salad with almonds, no noodles, and half the dressing packet, or less. Small chili w/onions. Baked potato w/chives. Side salad. I MISS THE SPINACH SALAD!!! :CRY:

Burger King: fire-grilled shrimp garden salad and an iced tea, unsweetened w/lemon

Subway: I never eat here, sorry Jared.

Jack in the Box: who?

Arby's: OMG. Food Porn. Arby's is also on restriction while I'm dieting. Or else I would order some potato cakes, with Arby Sauce, and a Beef N Cheddar, and a Jamocha shake, mmmmmmmmmm *ahem* So since I cannot control myself, I won't go there. Yes, yes I know. They have Market Fresh sandwiches now, but I'm not paying that much for a sandwich that I could've brought from home, and now they smother them in dressing & bacon anyway.

KFC: I can't eat here, too much sodium. Every once in awhile I would treat myself to a small box of the tato wedges, eat a couple & give the rest away, but not until 2006, at least.

Sheila - Thanks so much for posting this! I really struggle with fast-food as life is incredibly busy and I eat it at least 1x per week... You've given me some new ideas and also made me remember the ones I came up with when I lasted OP for a few months...

Here's mine:

McDonalds: Whole Wheat Chicken McGrill w/ BBQ Sauce - no mayo, Fruit Parfaits! Haven't tried their salads yet...

Wendys: I'm with you both on the Mandarin Chicken Salads... Small Chili poured over a Plain Baked Potatoe or Side Salad

Subway : 6 ' Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki - no cheese, on Whole Wheat Bread.

KFC: Can't find nothing healthy at the ones in Canada yet...

Arbys: Roast Beef Sandwiches - with a little of Arby's BBQ Sauce

Tim Hortons: Soup & Sandwich... Turkey Breast, Grilled Chicken or Roast Beef on Whole Wheat, no mayo... Oh, yeah and a Large Coffee.. or Iced Capp made with milk.

Hi Sheila,

I salute your courage of going into fast-food joints (Mc Do, BK, Wendy's) and choose healthy stuff on the menu.

Quite frankly, i'd be very tempted to have some fries on the side; so i'm not going.

However, i beleive subway is a good alternative. My personal favorite is 12 inches grilled chicken with light mayo + oven baked chips + diet soda....

Frenchiepolarbear, like the others, I almost never go near the stuff, except for Subway. I thought it was good information, however, for those who like the convenience of fast food. At least you know what to pick when you're really, really hungry, and the McDonald's is the only restaurant you can get to.

SAPF, guess Jack in the Box must be a west coast place. I grew up in Seattle, and it was the first drive-through place in my neighborhood in the late 60s. I remember my friends and I were so excited. We talked into the clown's mouth (their symbol is a clown--don't ask me why), then my friend pulled forward and put her hand out and said eagerly, "Is it ready?" I have no idea why that memory has stuck with me for all these years. Most people remember winning their spelling bee, or their first sporting event, but I remember my first drive-through experience.