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Step 1
Limit your choices. Everybody gets behind schedule and has to swing through a fast food restaurant once in a while. Assess what your choices are. A deli or sub shop is a healthier alternative to fried fish or chicken. Consider what their choices are before pulling your car in. By limiting your child’s choices to healthy options, they will inevitably eat healthier meals.
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Step 2
Opt for healthier sides. If you do run through a burger joint, most offer side salads or sliced apples as replacements to French fries. When asking your child if he wants a salad or apple slices, you don’t give him an option to eat the fries. Even if the restaurant does not publicize this option, most are willing to make a substitution for free or a small amount of money.
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Step 3
Choose healthy drinks. Although sugar free, even diet sodas are riddled with chemicals. Ask the clerk behind the counter if you can get skim milk or bottled water instead of soda. As a last resort, opt for juice. Most juices are made from concentrate, and even pure juice contains a lot of sugar that is bad for children’s teeth.
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Step 4
Plan ahead. If you are going to be out and about all day, pack healthy snacks in the car. If you and your children aren’t ravenous you will make smarter choices about the restaurant you choose to eat in, and the food you decide to order. Pack your own water from home so you aren’t tempted to fill up on empty calories from soda, juices or sports drinks.
