What?! I can hear you now, jumping up and down on your couch with doubtful glee. Rest assured, I’m being honest.
I know it seems unlikely, but the truth is, eating fast food while dieting is not going to make the scale jump up—not if you make the right choices, anyway. That doesn’t mean that you can go to any greasy dive that only serves a few calorie and fat-laden choices, but you can visit your favorite fast food chains now and then and not gain weight.
For instance, if you go to McDonalds, order a regular hamburger instead of a Big Mac. It’s only 6 points on Weight Watchers. And considering you get 20-26 points per day on Weight Watchers, that’s pretty good. The small fries aren’t that bad either, so go ahead, order a Happy Meal…even better, get the hamburger and a diet coke with the Happy Meal and substitute the fries with apple dippers—then you’ll be eating something savory and something sweet. The result? No cravings. No denial. No weight gain.
Or try the fruit-n-yogurt parfait. It’s creamy, rich, and delicious. Order it alone or with a hamburger and you’ll likely be satisfied.
If you go to Taco Bell, resist the stuffed burritos and opt for a bean burrito or a soft taco. They’re not high in calories on their own and won’t send your scale into overdrive.
And don’t forget the salads! Be wary of salads with crunchy bites on top though because they are usually fried. And make sure to order a fat free or low fat dressing.
These days, with people as health conscious as they are, many fast food restaurants are stepping up and offering healthier choices for kids and adults alike. They’re doing their part. Now it’s just up to us to take charge of our choices and order those healthier choices.