How to Make Healthy Fast Food Choices

Going through the drive-through on the way home is inevitable some of the time. Late night hunger combined with a desire to avoid cooking at all costs can equal some fast food runs. Being on a budget can also lead you towards getting some take home food to munch on. Students with little time--or no kitchens in the dorm room--often fall prey to fast food addiction. Simply because you have to eat fare typically thought of as fatty burgers and fries doesn't mean you have to make the worst possible choices. Be good while being bad.

Instructions

1. Go to Taco Bell. You can order the Bean Burrito without the cheese. Order the 7 Layer Burrito without the sour cream. Order a vegetable burrito with veggies and sauce only. You can get the same great tastes without excess calories.

2. Consider the salad menu. McDonald's offers a wide variety of salads. If ordering these, be aware that some have a lot of calories. Order your salad without dressing. The ingredients add enough flavor. Add some lemon or balsamic vinegar to the salad instead if you need it dressed.

3. Order the vegetarian burger at Burger King. Although this is not listed on the menu of all Burger Kings, nearly all of them have this choice. It's a delicious vegetarian patty. You can order it with or without cheese. Go for some carrots to munch on with it. If ordering for a child, consider getting the macaroni and cheese instead of fried fare.

4. Ask for your burger without fries. With the way calories tend to explode from burgers themselves, there is no need to pile on side order calories on top of it. If you are going to indulge, indulge in your very favorite menu item only. If your favorite fast food item is the fries, skip other things. Resume your healthy menu for the necessary daily nutrients you'll need from a varied diet.

5. Order side orders at fried chicken places. It's better to order from the yummy side order menu that order the fried chicken itself. Potatoes, baked beans, string beans and cole slaw will provide the indulgence without as much fat and guilt.

6. Observe what your vegetarian friends order at a fast food restaurant. Animal welfare might not be your top priority when it comes to fast food choices, but your vegetarian friends are definitely on to something here. Vegetarian choices at most fast food restaurants equal the healthiest overall choices.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask for things grilled instead of being fried whenever possible. This is a healthier cooking method. However, this is called fast food for a reason, and you can't be too picky.