We can try as best as we can to avoid fast foods, but let's face it, there always comes a moment in which we are starving and the only choice to eat is that fast food restaurant on the corner. What can we do in these cases? Do we eat? Do we starve?
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Life is not perfect, so of course, after you decide to change your eating habits, you will find yourself stuck in a situation in which the only food available is junk food. It's okay. You don't need to starve. What you need to remember here is that you should only open the fast food box in case of emergency, when there truly isn't other choice and you really need to eat.
Eating just one fast food meal can have enough calories, sodium, and fat for an entire day or more! Just imagine what it will do to you if you eat it regularly or more than once? For that one emergency moment you might have, it is important that you choose your food wisely.
Luckily for us with healthy lifestyles, many restaurants now offer a variety of healthy foods to choose from so, instead of looking at this emergency as a moment to indulge in the fattening things and the desserts, chose one of the healthy options.
What should you order?
Meats: Go for fish, turkey or chicken roasted, baked, grilled or broiled. Avoid the ones that are breaded or fried.
Drink water: Avoid sugary drinks at all costs. Soda is a big source of hidden calories. If you like to have sweet drinks, try adding lemon to your water or ordering unsweetened iced tea.
Zero dressings: As yummy as they are, dressings add so many calories to your meal. So no matter if you go healthy with a salad, if it includes a fat-packed dressing it won't work. Instead of having them add the dressing, ask for a packet so you can add it yourself, controlling how much you put on the food.
No fries, cheese or desserts: If you must have a side dish, try to make it a salad, soup or vegetables. As for the cheese, it will add unneeded fat and calories to your meal. We don't need to say much about desserts. You know how bad sugar can be for your diet so avoid it at all costs.
Buffets: Yes, you are reading correctly. Buffets, even the healthy ones, are very dangerous because we tend to overeat when do them. However, if you choose to dine in one, opt for fresh fruits, salads with olive oil and vinegar as dressings, broiled entrees and steamed vegetables.
Having a fast food emergency doesn't mean it is time to trick yourself into believing it is okay to cheat and eat all the junk food you want. It simply means you must eat and it's the only choice you have. One bad meal can ruin a day in your progress or even more days, so be wise when choosing and eat healthy. There's no excuse!
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