Ways to Stay on Your Diet While Eating Fast Food

I have been on and off a diet for my entire adult life. One of the things I realized is that to make it work you have to be realistic. The temptations don't stop just because you are on a diet. There will still not be a lot of time to cook, your friends will still not be on a diet and will want to eat fast food, and your lunch hour will still be the same amount of time that you have to get a quick lunch. I have also noticed that a lot of the time eating healthy becomes expensive very quickly. I know when you walk into fast food places you think ok I must eat badly, or whatever that tastes good will ruin my diet, but that is untrue. You can scan the nutritional menu for calories but that takes time this list shows you quick choices at 4 of the top fast food places. I have managed to still lose weight while incorporating the occasional fast food into my life and this is how.

McDonald's
The most popular of all fast foods. While you think they have healthy options such as salads if you look closely you will see that their salads are loaded with extras and fattening dressing and you would be better off with a burger. My suggestion to keep it low cost and low calorie is to order a side salad with dressing on the side, a fruit and yogurt parfait which is approximately 200 calories, a 4 piece chicken McNuggets is approximately 200 calories, and if you are still hungry you can add a small fries for approximately 200 calories. If you want some meat their hamburger is approximately 260 calories. All of that will set you back about $5 and approximately 600 calories. Without the fries it is approximately 400 calories. This is a filling lunch with salad, protein, and calcium. You won't spend a lot and you won't be wasting too many calories but you can still enjoy the taste of McDonald's.

Wendy's
The best option at Wendy's is their chili. A small chili which is full of protein, and healthy beans is approximately 200 calories. It is very filling and has lots of fiber to keep you filled up throughout the day. You can always add a side salad with dressing on the side. If you want more food you can add the grilled chicken wrap off of the value menu that is also approximately 250 calories. The whole meal with chili and salad and chicken is approximately 450 calories and under $5.

Taco Bell
Taco Bell offers a new menu for dieters called the Fresco menu. This is a low fat, low calorie option to their regular menu. The burritos off this menu including chicken, steak and bean will run you around 350 calories each but they are big and filling. The best options are the soft steak taco at 170 calories, and the crunchy taco at 150 calories. If you don't feel like ordering off of the special menu and want the regular menu I suggest the chicken gordita for 280 calories, a soft chicken taco for 160 calories and a side of rice for 110 calories. This is a very filling meal and runs about $6 and approximately 600 calories.

Burger King
Another really popular fast food restaurant with good choices. Their 5 piece chicken tenders are approximately 210 calories, and you can even add a small onion rings for approximately 150 calories. Also always add as side salad with dressing on the side. If you want some meat the best option here is their hamburger at approximately 290 calories. The burger and onion rings will run you 450 calories and the chicken onion rings will run you 360. Both will cost less than 6$.

There are many other options on the menu but I always found it a good thing when on a diet to know before you go. That way you aren't as tempted when you get there to eat the "bad" stuff. There are some options but I have found these to be the most filling, the most fulfilling, and the cheapest options. This way you can enjoy the taste of fast food without having to sacrifice your diet or your wallet.