10 Fast Food Commandments

In my Healthy Workshops, I talk about Bob the Burger and refer to fast food as a treat, not a weekly ritual. 

When I came upon this article about the 10 Fast Food Commandments, I felt compelled to have this on my blog.

1. Drink Water
Sodas, shakes, floats and specialty drinks are loaded with calories. And the huge glasses don’t help. The average “kid drink” has 430 calories and large sodas can have up to 500.

2. Choose Lean Meats, Not Processed or Fatty Treats
Eat foods that can be identified, like sliced turkey, beef or ham and skip the sausage or bacon because they contain fillers, nitrates, and salt.

3. Ask for Whole Wheat or Multigrain Bread
If you select a sandwich, sub or pizza, ask for whole wheat or multigrain bread, buns or crust. It has a lower glycemic index.

4. Skip the “Extras” and the Appetizers
Avoid the extra sauce, extra patty or the slice of cheese to subtract calories. Even asking for no butter on the bun will save you 100 calories. The average fast food appetizer has 813 calories compared with 674 average calories per serving for an entrée.

5. Thick Crust Pizza Pie Goes To Your Thighs
The thicker the crust, the higher the calorie count. And processed meats like pepperoni and fatty toppings add calories. I love putting eggplant, mushrooms, peppers or spinach on top of my pizza. And thin crust is key.

6. Skip the “Secret Sauce”
Old standards like ketchup and mustard tend to have the fewest calories. Salsa can also be a healthy condiment, full of lycopenes from the tomatoes as well as vitamins A and C.

7. Avoid the Fried Fast Food
Whenever the option exists, have your chicken or meat grilled. You’ll get fewer calories and less fats and it’s easier to digest.

8. Just ‘Cause They Serve It Doesn’t Mean You Have To Eat It
A meat serving is about the size of a deck of cards; about 3 ounces. So pass on the 12-ounce portions or only eat half and take half home. I typically split a meal with my wife.

9. Take Your Coffee With Skim Milk
Ever hear of the latte factor? It refers to the money you save over a year if you just cut out your daily latte. But the same could be said of the inches you could save by avoiding these syrupy drinks. If you must go for the latte, ask for sugar-free, and in either case, saying no to the whip cream will save you 70 calories and 7 grams of fat.

10. Invoke the Tenet of Chewdaism
I once heard the late Yogi Bhajan say, “Chew your food. There are no teeth in your stomach.” And that’s exactly what Chewdaism is all about; chewing your food 50 to 100 times before swallowing it. It takes about 30 – 60 seconds per bite. That’s good because it takes about 20 minutes for your stomach to “tell” your brain you are full. Chewing your food allows you to extract more nutrition out of your food and allows you to get full eating less.

Here's a cute little jingle about junk food.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=l0juSOz3wfo

What if you could feel good and all while eating healthy fast food?  Go here and then call Mary Beth at 810-813-3308.

Mary Beth
www.mamabearproductions.net