Nov. 8, 2010— -- How well is the effort to improve fast food and offer more healthful alternatives to kids really working? There are ways to eat at fast food restaurants and still stick to a healthy eating plan. Not only can you put together a faster, healthier meal -- with fewer calories and less fat and sodium -- but you can save money, too. Healthy restaurant concepts are also likely to be embraced by public health officials, who have long warned about the dangers of fast food and its effect on the population. Yes, fast food tends to be devoid of fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Items at fast food restaurants are super calorie dense and packed with processed ingredients, so sticking to smaller portions is key. Let your slow cooker save you time. Some 78% of restaurants in the "quick-service" category, which includes fast food, are seeing more orders for entrée salads, according to the National Restaurant Association (NRA), an industry group. To fuel them up for the hours ahead, try these healthy junk food alternatives, accompanied by their favorite fruit for a naturally sweet kick. Compare the 450 calories and 31 grams of fat in a fast-food biscuit with egg and bacon to the 130 calories and 5 grams of fat in a scramble with four egg whites and 1 ounce of cooked turkey bacon. Healthy fast food at Mexican chains. It's hard to drive down a street without seeing one. On the bright side, some items on your favorite restaurants like McDonald’s and Burger King are actually not as bad as you think. Undercover at Fast Food Restaurant 2. Serena Styles is a Colorado-based writer who specializes in health, fitness and food. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Blaming the restaurants for the weight of others is a little ridiculous. Does Ignoring Your Rumbling Tummy Make You Thinner? Eating at a fast food restaurant … Other choices for dinner include homemade soup, vegetable stir-fry, steamed lean meat or whole-wheat pasta. Consider stocking: Just a couple of hours spent cooking main courses one or two weekends a month works wonders for whipping up fast and healthy food on hectic weeknights. I’ve got some bad news and some good news. If you need lunch to-go, bring it in an insulated lunch box with ice packs to keep your food cold or a thermos to keep soup warm. The good news is there are some healthy and balanced alternatives available at most fast-food places. These ideas are just a few healthy alternatives to fast food. Peanut butter in a tube or a small tub to go with crackers or bread sticks. How to eat healthy in fast food chains. McDonald's is one of the most unhealthy fast-food restaurants. This is one of my favorite healthy alternatives to junk food. Instead of greasy pizza, create a homemade Margherita pizza, swap fried chicken for oven-baked chicken and have a salad with whole-grain bread instead of a deli sandwich. Alternatives such as lettuce wraps, tofu scrambles, egg and toast and oatmeal pancakes are healthier choices to give your body energy and nutrition. Pre-formed lean beef burger patties or veggie burgers. Stop! Thankfully, plant-based foods are now a must for popular fast food joints. And many of these restaurants serve up freshly prepared dishes, made-in-house, with ingredient lists that read like a recipe from a healthy cookbook. Here are tips to show you how -- whether you're at home or on the road. Planning helps you pull your own fast-food act together. The bad news is they are rare and usually not as healthy as the same food’s home-made variation. Kona-Q offers exactly this, vegetables and meats that are grilled with or without healthy marinades and sauces that add flavor not fat. Many of the restaurants serve up freshly prepared meals, like they are made in house, with ingredients which read like a recipe from a healthy cookbook. Remember to stay alert, choose wisely and customize what you consume and digest in your body. Fast-food dinners are not an ideal way to end your day. "Americans spend nearly half their food dollars on food prepared away from home, but that only accounts for about 21% of the meals they eat," says Joanne Lichten, PhD, RD, author of How to Stay Healthy & Fit on the Road. Think of these quick grab-and-go meals as half-way homemade: Several soups, such as tomato, lentil, and split pea, double as a serving of vegetables from the food pyramid, Neville notes. Quick-cooking grains such as 10-minute brown rice and whole-wheat couscous. But that doesn’t have to be the case. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. White or brown rice is offered as the starch of the meal. On the bright side, some items on your favorite restaurants like McDonald’s and Burger King are actually not as bad as you think. Fast food gets a bad rap for being unhealthy, but there are healthy fast food options at chains like McDonald's, Pizza Hut, and Sonic. Barbecue pulled pork served on whole grain buns with corn and fruit on the side. On the bright side, some items on your favorite restaurants like McDonald’s and Burger King are actually not as bad as you think. Restaurants and fast food chains are increasingly offering healthier options so customers can enjoy their favourite restaurants without feeling guilty. Healthy Food Franchises to Consider Panera Bread. In addition, many people have busy lives with long work schedules, long commutes and a busy home life. Because “healthy,” “fast,” and “reasonably priced” are not three terms that work well together in the restaurant industry. A new study by Yale University researchers is raising that question. No one really goes to a fast food restaurant to order a salad, but surprisingly there are several healthy options if you order correctly. The bad news is they are rare and usually not as healthy as the same food’s home-made variation. The good news is that our options for eating on the go have improved dramatically. People love Fast foods knowing that it is not good for health. Rather than making mac and cheese from a box, though, try making it fresh with butternut squash as an alternative to the highly saturated cheese and salt that comes with most mac and cheese. Tuna melts with reduced-fat cheese on whole-wheat bread, and salad. Alternately, have a smoothie made from fresh fruit, a sliced apple with peanut butter or strawberries with almond butter for an energy boost. The good news is that our options for eating on the go have improved dramatically. Craving: Artificially Flavored Yogurt. And in a pinch -- when you're on the road with children and didn't plan ahead -- pull into the supermarket instead of the fast-food drive-in. With our busy schedule at work and a truck load of commitments, it is certainly difficult to stay away from eating fast food. Swap: Whole-Milk Kefir. Throw the ingredients for chili or beef stew in and turn to other activities. Kerry Neville, MS, RD, spokesperson, American Dietetic Association. A fast-food double burger has more than 942 calories and 58 grams of fat; to compare, a 3-ounce turkey burger on a whole-wheat pita has 169 calories and 2 grams of fat. For savory snacks, vegetables sticks, whole-grain crackers or roasted chickpeas are tasty choices. The vegan fast food options below address this problem and give you the choice of a healthy and convenient fast food alternative. Fast food restaurants get a bad rap. If you’re grossed out enough to say sayonara to fast food all together (virtual high five! Scrambled eggs served in whole-wheat pita pockets with salsa and low-fat grated cheese; salad; milk or 100% juice, such as orange juice fortified with. Fast food breakfasts such as breakfast burritos, sausage and cheese sandwiches, syrup-soaked pancakes and oily waffles aren't the way to start your day. He added that some restaurants are further along in the process than others. Total Calories: 150 So “healthy fast food” sounds like an oxymoron. Home » foods » Healthy Alternatives to Fast Food Posted by The vagans on Thursday, July 5, 2012 It's inevitable for many people not to eat in quick food restaurants. Alternatives: Virtually all fast food restaurants have some sort of healthy option, even if … Cans or cups of fruit packed in their own juice. Eating fast food is going to happen at some point, and it’s probably in the near future for most of us. Some of these ‘junk foods’ contain low calories and less fat. These lunches are great options for those days when you just can't get around to packing your own — because it … Fast casual. They are … Junk Food Alternatives at Breakfast. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts. Excess calorie, fat, sodium and sugar content in fast food contributes to heart disease and type 2 diabetes. I’ve got some bad news and some good news. Also, be sure to avoid fries and soda wherever you go if possible. FIU should replace fast food restaurants with healthy alternatives TOPICS: Ariana Rodriguez FIU Healthy Food Options opinion PantherNOW Panera Bread is one of the new restaurants that will open at FIU in Fall 2019. Limit your fast food visits. When you want an alternative to the fast-food joints calling your name, think cool: an insulated cooler, that is. Well, that depends a bit on your meaning of healthy. Cartons of 100% orange juice, milk, applesauce, peanut butter, and yogurt in your fridge and cabinets. When you want an alternative to the fast-food joints calling your name, think cool: an insulated cooler, that is. A large Oreo Blizzard at Dairy Queen has 1140 calories and 44g of fat. Portion control is also important, since the serving size on many Mexican fast food items is enormous. Fruit salads, fruit pudding made with silken tofu and fruit dipped in chocolate are other tasty dessert choices. Now it's time to shop. From salty chips to sugary ice cream cones, the taste of junk food can be oh-so-tempting. Remember, says Neville: "In the time it takes to wait for take-out pizza or Chinese food you could put together a much healthier meal.". Dehydrated bean soups (get hot water at a roadside rest stop). Joanne Lichten, PhD, RD, author, How to Stay Healthy & Fit on the Excess calories, high fat content, and too much sugar are just a few reasons you should pass up the drive-through window. Election 2020 ... produce to determine the 10 highest-ranking restaurants. Posted on September 18, 2015 by marcedisbrazilbutler. United States Department of Agriculture: National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Fast foods, biscuit, with egg and bacon, United States Department of Agriculture: National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Egg, white, raw, fresh, United States Department of Agriculture: National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Turkey bacon, cooked, United States Department of Agriculture: National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Fast foods, hamburger; double, large patty; with condiments, vegetables and mayonnaise, United States Department of Agriculture: National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Ground Turkey, fat free, raw, United States Department of Agriculture: National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Bread, pita, whole-wheat, United States Department of Agriculture: National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Fast foods, chicken, breaded and fried, dark meat (drumstick or thigh), United States Department of Agriculture: National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Chicken, broilers or fryers, breast, meat only, raw, United States Department of Agriculture: National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Shake, fast food, strawberry, United States Department of Agriculture: National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Yogurt, plain, skim milk, 13 grams protein per 8 ounce, United States Department of Agriculture: National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Strawberries, raw, Harvard School of Public Health: Food and Diet, How to Replace Sweets With Healthy Eating. Hottovy expects to see an increase in the percentage of healthier alternatives on each fast-food restaurant's menu. While there’s no problem with a bit of indulgence from time to time, regularly eating unhealthy food can cause a whole host of health issues, including heart conditions, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Well, that depends a bit on your meaning of healthy. While most fast foods are based on cheap, unhealthy ingredients, many fast-food establishments now offer healthy alternatives. Alternatives such as baked sweet potato fries, tuna salad or a stuffed pita are much healthier. Our experts pick the healthiest menu options at McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Subway, and other fast-food favorites. America's 10 Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants. This simple meal is one of the most healthy and low calories you can find at fast-food restaurants. These five chains offer delicious, heart-healthy, nutrient-dense food that can be just about impossible to find in typical fast-food eateries: beans, nuts, fish, whole grains and a selection of fruits and veggies more interesting than plain old lettuce and tomato. It's late, your kids are hungry, and you don't have time to cook. Many of the restaurants serve up freshly prepared meals, like they are made in house, with ingredients which read like a recipe from a healthy cookbook. Choosing healthy alternatives at fast food restaurants In our fast-paced world, eating on the run is a fact of life for most of us. Excess calories, high fat content, and too much sugar are just a few reasons you should pass up the drive-through window. Mac and cheese is an easy and delicious food that can be eaten at almost any time of the day. Fast food restaurants do not force people to eat their food. Definitely, you can now devour tasty fast food meals without feeling the guilt. The good news is there are some healthy and balanced alternatives available at most fast-food places. Fresh, frozen, or no-added-salt canned vegetables; fresh and dried fruit; and fruit canned in juice. quicklist: 1 category: Healthy Fast Food Alternatives title: Supermarket smorgasbord url: text: Grocery stores are … Total Calories: 150 Speaking three languages and working on a fourth, Styles is pursuing a Bachelor's in Linguistics and preparing to travel the world. While it’s undeniably less indulgent, it’s far better for your health. Alternatives such as baked sweet potato fries, tuna salad or a stuffed pita are much healthier. 18.5% of children ages 2-19 are classified as obese in the US. Healthy drink alternatives like milk were offered by servers just 26 to 28 percent of the time at McDonald's and Burger King. For example, try: Supermarkets can save the day when you want fast food and great nutrition. Alternatives: Virtually all fast food restaurants have some sort of healthy option, even if … Definitely, you can now devour tasty fast food meals without feeling the guilt. Tips to try: Sandwiches can help you get supper on the table super fast. But they can also be caloric minefields-especially when it comes to burritos, nachos, and other cheese-heavy items. Milk, reduced-fat shredded cheese, eggs, canned tuna, canned beans, peanut butter, lean ground beef patties, chicken, and meatballs. Path to improved health. Pair an eight or 12 pack with a side salad or fruit cup. Make a quick list. How to eat healthy in fast food chains. When it comes to fast food Asian fare, simple is often healthiest: broccoli and beef tossed in a ginger soy sauce. Let’s take a moment and check out the menu. Chips, french fries, popcorn chicken, pie, ice cream shakes and other unhealthy snacks and desserts do not nourish your body. Fast food gets a bad rap for being unhealthy, but there are healthy fast food options at chains like McDonald's, Pizza Hut, and Sonic. Your best bets for healthy fare when it's time for fast food. Trail mix made from dried fruits, nuts, seeds, pretzels, or cereal with a few chocolate chips thrown in for good measure makes a satisfying snack, adds Kerry Neville, MS, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. 1. Healthy Fast Food: For the Road. "Let's Eat Out: Americans Weigh Taste, Convenience, and Nutrition,"October Toss them in salads, or use them for grab-and-go snacks or lunch. But beware of the calories in drinks other than water, says Lichten.Take that cooled milk and douse it over whole-grain cereals that come in their own single-serve cups. Blaming the restaurants for the weight of others is a little ridiculous. There is a huge market demand for fast, convenient food that can be consumed without dietary concerns. Fast, healthy food alternative. Single-serve cans of tuna with easy-open tops and crackers. A portion is only 150 calories and it is an extremely low-fat option that will provide you with enough nutrients and proteins to make it a balanced meal. Some of these ‘junk foods’ contain low calories and less fat. Fast food restaurants are everywhere. Other healthy items that don’t require prep include baby carrots and hummus, mini bananas, and nuts. Make double batches of anything you cook, and freeze half. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. ), I have several still quick, but much healthier alternatives. When a food is grilled, minimal oil — if any — is used to cook it. Sliced bananas, apples, grapes and pears. "They are the foods we miss out on when traveling.". Diners can find it a struggle to find something healthy on the menu when eating out, driving consumer demand for healthy alternatives. Hard cook a half dozen eggs. How Long Does Coronavirus Live On Surfaces? 26 Fast-Food Lunches That Are Actually Healthy Yes, it's true! The concept of fast casual is ‘fresh food fast,’ and establishments that fit the bill, including Chipotle, Panera Bread, and Pei Wei are popping up all over. Good nutrition and good fast food can go hand in hand. You can pick up fresh fruit, cheese, and bread for a satisfying meal to go. There are inexpensive and convenient alternatives to fast-food restaurants! Every fast food menu offers relatively healthy options (or at least, less unhealthy options) — it’s just a matter of knowing what to order, nutrition experts say. Here are some things to think about. Harvard School of Public Health states that consuming fast food increases your risk of obesity-related conditions. 15 Healthy Alternatives to Junk Food. The NHS advises that “within a healthy, balanced diet, a man needs around 10,500kJ (2,500Kcal) a day to maintain his weight. Phd, RD, author, How to stay alert, choose wisely and customize you... 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A large Oreo Blizzard at dairy Queen has 1140 calories and less fat, high fat,. Some healthier fast-food options out there and 44g of fat pursuing a Bachelor 's in Linguistics preparing! The process than others news is there are inexpensive and convenient fast food meals without feeling the guilt “fast” is. Food Asian fare, simple is often healthiest: broccoli and beef tossed in drive. But they can also be caloric minefields-especially when it comes to fast food and offer more alternatives! Or use them for grab-and-go snacks or lunch, PhD, RD, spokesperson, American Dietetic Association,!