In the midst of a pretty stressful week that involved more than usual amounts of takeout, I ran across this press release talking about the dissatisfaction consumers have with the healthy selections at chain restaurants, including fast food joints. It got me thinking about the choices we've had as we ordered, took out or drove through this week. I think the main problem is that the healthy selections aren't always as appealing as the less healthy choices (think carrot sticks vs french fries). Restaurants can definitely stand to offer more equally tasty yet healthier choices and I do believe it can be done. To me, a grilled chicken sandwich is a great example of a healthier choice that I find just as, if not more, tasty than the greasy, deep-fried version. It may take some time for restaurants to heed the call, so in the meanwhile some of the tactics I use to keep my family's selections reasonable:
- Choose the must have item on the menu and have a small portion (cheeseburger or Whopper Jr not a bacon double cheeseburger)
- Balance the choice with something healthy, like nonfat milk or water rather than soda or a milkshake
- Avoid the "value meal" - it isn't such a value if you wouldn't have ordered the side dishes in the first place
- If you must have fries, get one order that everyone can share
- Most often visit restaurants with healthier selections that you enjoy, limiting those with hard to resist fatty foods to once a month
- VERY IMPORTANT: when your kids are done with their food either wrap up the rest or throw it away; eating their leftovers doesn't do anyone any good
After one of those weeks when I'm just glad everyone got fed at all, TGIF!
1 comment:
Well written article.
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