Fast food? Is there such a thing?

There are some days when time does not give way to much of an opportunity to eat and to eat healthy.  I know that if will never loose this weight if I skip.  Even worse now that I am eating I am getting hungry every 2 hours.  So is there anything that is clean or safe to eat and low calorie at a fast food restaurant??? I noticed Zaby's had a no chicken Cesar salad for under 400 calories. 

any suggestions???

Honestly, the only "fast food" place I've even been to in the last couple of years is Subway.  And I haven't been there in months, so I'll have to defer to other folks for advice on where to go.  I just want to put a plug in here for doing a little planning ahead and to whatever extent your schedule allows, prepare your own food so you're not stuck with picking something that might not be as good nutritionally as it could be.  I know it can be a pain, but it helps in the long run.

I love McD's southwest chicken salad with the grilled chicken - yum

Also the BK ternder grill salad is very yummy. Lo cal Italian dressing

Subway - 6" wheat turkey breast or roast beef... or even grilled chicken.

You are right.  I have always been one for what was fast and what was easy.  Part of the reason why I am where I am right now!!! Tonight I am a little tired and I have choir practice and was looking for an easy way for  at least one night a week.  I guess I am taking on a lot of change in a lot of areas and all at once. 

Perhaps I need a little cheese with that whine!!! LOL

Yogu girl thanks for the info!!! Something fast and easy if what I need for tonight!!! Lauri

Honestly, no offense meant, but I really don't think that it's true that limited time precludes eating healthily. There are lots of great things that can be grabbed while on the go, like fruits, veggies, yogurt, cheese, bread, etc. You could pack your meals ahead of time, either once a week or the night before, or (when you have an hour or so) make and freeze a bunch of healthy dishes (I have a constant supply of soups, quiches, and lasagna). You can also make your own protein bars ahead of time. Companies like Kashi and Amy's make some really good healthy frozen meals.

Okay guys maybe you got me here.  I am not craving sweets and I'm not craving anything actually except easy for one night.  I don't mean it ugly and I am not offended in any way what so ever because you guys are right.   Easy just sounded so nice.  Just pull up to the drive thru - and then on the the next thing!!!  Unfortunately I have eaten so light today that I have to eat a minimum of 800 calories still tonight. 

My schedule of late has been get off work at 5 go to the gym get home by 7, take care of the horses, cook dinner , clean up and then to make the next day's lunch.  I am so not used to this!!!  Whine and whine -

Still I might have to set aside one night a week to eat easy and healthy.  Surely there has to be a way to do that once in awhile!!

Emily has the right idea about planning ahead... however, I don't think a salad with grilled chicken from a fast food place is all that bad!!  They use Romaine lettuce & not all that different from what I would make at home.  I have one for lunch 2-3 times a week!  I also do keep lowfat cottage cheese, fruit, nuts, etc on hand but those are only snacks.

Okay I made it!! I came home - fed the horses and had a nice big bowl of Kashi Go lean cereal.  Easy and healthy.  I am glad to know that there are fast food places that I can make work.  Sometimes life happens!!  For now, I am only on my second week and I am having to change everything - so it probably is not a good idea to eat fast food.  I ahve some learning to do first.  But I have set aside a dieter gone wild day for the first Saturday of the month - who knows what will happen on that day! LOL

thanks Yoga girl for the ideas which will be my emergency escape plan!!!

thanks the others for the advice.  I appreciate it for real!

Yeah, don't get me wrong, McDonald's has some salads I really like. I don't think there's anything wrong with fast food if you make the right choices, but it's just as easy, usually healthier, and cheaper to do a little planning ahead.

Original Post by tuff_n_nuff:

  Easy just sounded so nice.  Just pull up to the drive thru - and then on the the next thing!!!  Unfortunately I have eaten so light today that I have to eat a minimum of 800 calories still tonight. 

My schedule of late has been get off work at 5 go to the gym get home by 7, take care of the horses, cook dinner , clean up and then to make the next day's lunch.  I am so not used to this!!!  Whine and whine -

Hi tuff n nuff!

First, congrats on making it home and having something you feel better about. That had to be challenging with the temptation of the drive-thru lingering out there.

Secondly, good for you for packing your lunch! That was a really hard habit for me to build. I'm wondering if it's usual for you to be needing so many calories in the evening? I know when I started this program pacing my meals and calories was so hard, and often I was in your situation. It took a while for me to learn how to pack lunches, and then lunches and snacks, and then lunches and snacks with more than 1/2 my daily calories. Now I'm a tupperware and ziplock diva - haha.

Lots of props to you, keep up the good work!

Kristen

Original Post by kmk33:

Original Post by tuff_n_nuff:

  Easy just sounded so nice.  Just pull up to the drive thru - and then on the the next thing!!!  Unfortunately I have eaten so light today that I have to eat a minimum of 800 calories still tonight. 

My schedule of late has been get off work at 5 go to the gym get home by 7, take care of the horses, cook dinner , clean up and then to make the next day's lunch.  I am so not used to this!!!  Whine and whine -

Hi tuff n nuff!

First, congrats on making it home and having something you feel better about. That had to be challenging with the temptation of the drive-thru lingering out there.

Secondly, good for you for packing your lunch! That was a really hard habit for me to build. I'm wondering if it's usual for you to be needing so many calories in the evening? I know when I started this program pacing my meals and calories was so hard, and often I was in your situation. It took a while for me to learn how to pack lunches, and then lunches and snacks, and then lunches and snacks with more than 1/2 my daily calories. Now I'm a tupperware and ziplock diva - haha.

Lots of props to you, keep up the good work!

Kristen

 Good Morning Kirsten,

No I usually only have around 400 calories to eat by the time I get home. Yesterday my salad didn't have enough good stuff and my dressing is calorie free (hmm  that is what is says on the bottle), i didn't bring enough snacks and well, one thing lead to the other.

I have to admit I have never been one of those highly organized individuals that have everything so - so organized! LOL  I wish I were.  Well, of late I am starting to realize that if I want to reach my goals, then organizing is mandatory.  Be Careful of what you wish for!!! And another thing - I have to go grocery shopping!!! Yikes I guess that will be after the gym tonight and before I go home to take care of the horses!!! To think this is the way Mom's with kids, jobs careers and husbands have always lived!! LOL!  Now finally, I need to find some good ideas for food.  Woman can not live off of salad, oatmeal and Kashi for ever!!! I took a subscription to cooking light and Clean Eating(?) - so I am sure i can solve the creative problem. 

Oh well, enough rambling.  I am in a wonderful mood because the 2 pounds I gained back when I started lifting was gone this morning !!!! Yeah!!!!

Hope you guys have a great day. Lauri

I too have (HAD) a problem with being more organized. her is just a sugestion. grab couple of those Healthy choice or other low cal soup and put them in your desk drawer I have those just in case I don't have time, or came to work ill prepared for lunch, like today. You can also just prepare to eat out, knowing that your lunch will be slightly high, make sure you have a low cal breakfast and dinner.

I hate to/too/two mistakes

amayou82 - me too!  I keep stuff in my desk at work.  Things I usually have around are oatmeal packets, grits packets, salmon pouches, nuts  & protein bars.  We also have a fridge and I like to keep those lttle cups of lowfat cottage cheese in there.

You guys just solved my dilemma for today.  I was still stuck on fast food. I do have choices!!! We have a microwave so I could pick up some soup and today is a good day for it or instant oatmeal.   I never thought of that!!

Everyday is a learning day with so many options!!! Right now I am on the Clean Eating website downloading recipes.  I think variety will make a big difference for the long run.  I am really excited about a Grilled Chicken breast of Chicken Marsala at 338 calories a serving!!!  yum!!!

Thanks ladies for the advice!

Yeah I have the lil weight control oatmeal packets (which I need to restock), 100 calorie snack packs, tea bags, soup, protein shake mix, and a small blender all in my overhead cabinet lol. I like having them readily accessible. I restock about every 2 weeks.

Yogagirl, what kind of low fat cottage cheese cups, who makes them? I'm all about snack sized anything lol

spelling

I have walnuts and almonds, some soy jerky packs and usually I'll bring in a couple of apples just to keep in my file drawer for the week.  I've never learned to like oatmeal, but for those that do like it, what a great idea. 

Lauri, I'm interested in that Clean Eating magazine, I'll have to check that out.

I am going to the grocery store at lunch today and stock up my desk drawers.  I really don't want to leave a door open to make a mistake.  I am determined that  one day a month will be my day.  Oddly enough I am not in any hurry for that day!!! Must be progress.  The oatmeal packets are perfect as we have 2 pipping hot water dispensers here and that would be easy and filling.  I am leaning towards that for lunch.  I am kinda scarred to get the 100 calorie packets right now because my history has been to eat the whole box!!! I don't trust myself yet.  I guess I will need to test myself at some point.  Not yet!!!

Here is a link for Clean Eating - http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/minisite/ce_ind ex.htm

Lauri

amayou - They are Breakstone's LiveActive 2%Milkfat Lowfat cottage cheese.  They come in 4 packs kinda like yogurt.  The packages are red and a little green.  The first time I bought them I got them at Target (during lunchtime).  Now I get them at the grocery store - Kroger.  They are 90 cals & 10g protein.

Lauri - thanks for the link - I may have to try a subscription too!  I have done my share of going to the grocery store at lunch!  I buy a bunch of stuff and walk back in to work with bags.  I like the salad that comes in the plastic containers too.