Fast Food is Really an “F” Word For Me!

Fast food is really an “F” word for me!

But I have to be realistic and remember that for my vacationers, road tripper’s and busy Moms… Sometimes fast food is it for options.

With that in mind maybe I can help you by giving you ideas on the better choices that these places offer. Although most of us would think you can’t go wrong with a salad… that’s not always the case. So let me share a few things I will get if in a SERIOUS crunch myself (and honestly, I’d have to be as the “quality” of the food is never as good as what we can purchase ourselves) and have to order from the dreaded fast food menu.

Well, you pretty much can’t go a mile down the road without seeing a McDonald’s. I really have a love-hate relationship with this company because although I don’t like how they market to children, I do appreciate the Ronald McDonald House.

McDonald’s offers an Asian Sesame Fusion Grilled Chicken salad that isn’t too shabby. However, I’m not a fan of the dressing because of the poor quality of ingredients so try to use that sparingly.

Dunkin’ Donuts seems to be a very big chain and if you’re in a real hurry and want to get coffee and something to eat on the go, their Veggie Egg White Flatbread isn’t so bad. It certainly beats one of their donuts (remember I’ve blogged that should be a NEVER food. Find a different treat).

Now you know me, I sure wish they would use the whole egg but the protein from the egg white, the veggies included and the cheese for fat makes it a not-so-horrible idea. However, I would love for you to order two of them but add the egg white mixture to the second flatbread so you have more veggies, fat and protein but no more simple carbs. Let the birds have the second flatbread.

Now I don’t think Chick-fil-A is as big of a chain but if you have one in your area or where you visit passing through a place that has one, they really do have a salad that you can enjoy without too much guilt.

It’s called the Grilled Market Salad with a Roasted Nut Blend. Again, ingredients in the dressing aren’t the best but because of the fruit inside of the salad, I hope you can go really light on the dressing.

OK, I included McDonald’s so you know I also have to include Starbucks.

The majority of Starbucks drinks are downright ridiculously bad for you. I would ask that you steer clear of them and enjoy a natural cup of black coffee or one with just a little bit of heavy cream or almond milk in it.

Starbucks around the world are obviously fantastic at advertising so they sell a protein box, called Starbucks’s Protein Bento Box, that of course is much better than their heavenly banana bread (so I heard from a friend😜) or their cute cake pops.

Everyone believes from marketing that protein is the way to go and so in labeling it as they do, it helps them fly off the shelf. But it will help keep you satiated since it does have a good amount of protein in it, some healthy fat from the eggs and some fruit to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Because I’ve never been one that believes you need to eat every couple of hours, most of the time I would rather skip a fast food trip than eating what they offer. But being the travelers that my husband and I are, there are times it’s been way too many hours since I ate and one of these will have to do. I don’t feel too much guilt because considering the alternatives that these restaurants offer… what I’ve shared with you won’t derail you much at all (as long as your usual meal plan is on track of course!)

And finally, I suggest that what you order you get to go so that you can leave that restaurant and eat that food guilt free without having the temptation of going back to get something more.