Healthier Drive-Thru Snacks for Parents & Children

How many times have you been in the car with the kids and wanted to pick up a quick drink or a snack? How many times have you been deterred by the thought of getting everyone out of the car, into the store, and then back into the car again after your quick stop? The drive-thru has certainly made life easier for moms and dads. Rather than picking up french fries, chicken nuggets, and soda at every stop, though, consider these healthier drive-thru snacks that will please both parents and children alike.

Milk
McDonald's and Burger King now offer milk in lieu of a soda. McDonald's 1% milk jugs, for instance, contain just 100 calories, and help provide your children with some of the necessary calcium, Vitamin A, and healthy fats that they need to grow and develop. Rather than picking up a soda, chock full of empty calories, grab your child a milk jug at the next drive thru stop, instead.

Apple Dippers/Apple Fries
You can't get much healthier when it comes to snacks than with McDonald's apple dippers. Purchase them instead of french fries or even on their own. Even with the caramel dip, apple dippers only contain 105 calories. Without, your child gets plenty of calcium and Vitamin C for just 35 calories. Burger King has their own variety, which boast just 70 calories (though include slightly more sodium and sugar in their dip).

Ice Cream Cones
Though you might dread the mess, basic vanilla ice cream cones that you can purchase from most drive thru windows are surprisingly low calorie, especially if you find somewhere that offers a kiddie size. Even a Wendy's Junior Frosty makes a better choice than some of the snacks you may find at fast food drive thru windows. For approximately 50-150 calories, depending on where you stop, both parents and kids can be pleased when selecting a kid-sized ice cream as a healthy snack.

Side Salad with Low-Fat Dressing
Salad is as healthy a snack as you can get, and if your kids are like mine, they love picking off the tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots (often leaving the lettuce for mom and dad). Purchase low-fat dressing for dipping, and a side salad can become an easy and healthy snack for kids. Most fast food chains now offer a salad option--just be sure to verify that dressing comes on the side, and ask for low-fat when available.

While fast food drive thru snacks may never be as healthy as what you can make at home, there are ways to ensure that your kids aren't filling up on nothing but empty calories. By sticking with fruit, veggies, milk and even an ice cream cone, you may be surprised how much healthier you can make a drive thru pit stop.

Read more about the drive-thru options at:
McDonald's; Nutrition Information; http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/nutritionexchange/nutritionexchange.do
Burger King; Menu & Nutrition; http://www.bk.com/en/us/menu-nutrition/index.html
Wendy's; Nutrition Facts; http://wendys.com/food/NutritionLanding.jsp