It’s not always easy to eat well when you’re in a rush. Fast food has the label of being unhealthy for a very good reason, it’s usually high fat, high sugar, and full of empty calories that don’t do anything for your nutritionally. With this in mind, it’s hard to eat well on the run.
Thankfully, there are plenty of alternatives that you can order when you’re in a hurry.
Ways to Eat Healthier at Restaurants
Go for the Veggies
The biggest difference between a healthy meal and an unhealthy meal is usually vegetables. If a restaurant offers vegetables, then you should definitely order them. If it doesn’t, then you may need to think twice. Veggies are one of the healthiest foods available on any menu, so look for them!
Build Your Own Salad
Salads do not have to be boring. Many places offer an abundance of toppings that you can load on top of your salad or wrap! You can also load up your veggies with some grains, nuts, or seeds as well if you’d like to avoid the extra calories that come with creamy dressings.
Choose Accessible Food
If one of your friends or loved ones is disabled or perhaps elderly, then it’s always best to stick with healthy options that can be easily eaten. You will also need to consider your friend or loved one’s needs when it comes to eating, for example, do they need to add a food thickener like Simply Thick food thickeners to help them swallow?
Healthier options aren’t difficult to come by – you could find a healthy dish with brown rice and black beans instead of a thick, unhealthy burger. You can also go without red meat when eating out, which is not only healthier as a whole, but it’s also more nutritious when you cook it yourself at home!
If you’re on the run, then don’t settle for fast food joints that aren’t worth your health.
Tips For Dining Out
The fact is, if you don’t have any other options, fast food would still be the best food for your budget and your schedule. Here are some tips for eating well on the go:
1. Eat at a sit-down restaurant.
If you’re looking for a healthy meal on the road that won’t break the bank, consider eating at one of the many good-quality sit-down restaurants that exist all over the place.
2. Bring your own food.
If you have a long drive ahead of you, stop by a grocery store and get some fresh fruits and vegetables for a healthy snack. If you’re not driving, look for the best place to buy fresh produce on your way around.
3. Avoid soda and other sugary drinks.
Sugar is one of the most prevalent empty calories in fast-food restaurants, it’s added to everything from iced tea to soft drinks and orange juice.
4. Skip fried foods.
They’re loaded with fat, and usually only taste good for the first ten seconds before you experience a “sadness cascade”. Most fast-food restaurants deep fry their chicken and other foods in vegetable oil (hydrogenated soybean oil), which is high in trans fats. Try to avoid it at all costs!
