Living a Healthier Lifestyle

Life-styles

Lifestyles are all about choices. Making smart choices about your eating habit is the only way to fight the negative things that come with fast food. Exercise is another facet of a healthy lifestyle but i figured for most Americans going to McDonald's JUST twice a week is a huge step. (Sean)

Strategies to Avoid Fast Foods (http://www.thelifestylecompany.com)

Certainly, not all fast food is bad. But like most things that are easy, simple, and taste good, we tend to make them more of a permanent part of our dietary patterns. Let’s face it, today’s food companies have learned what tastes good and what the American people will buy. There are, however, strategies that may help avoid the fast-food fallacy.

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Develop an Attitude

One strategy is to develop an almost “militant” attitude toward fast-food advertising and other ploys to get you to come in. Think of the advertising ploys as a way to get you to stop in, eat more, and gain more weight. Dr. Kelly Brownell of Yale University has used this strategy to help clients avoid fast-food restaurants. Think of the sales clerk—instead of asking you, “Would you like a combo,” think of him or her really asking, “Would you like more calories and more fat to eat?” Think of the sales clerk—instead of asking you, “Would you like to super-size that order,” think of him or her asking, “Would YOU like to be super-sized.” Any form of recasting advertising slogans or promotional ideas that make you angry will help you develop this attitude and avoid the fast-fat restaurants.

Plan Ahead

Make a list of those fast-food restaurants that you will absolutely avoid and others that you may patronize, provided you have planned your meal in advance. It is always a good idea to play your meal before going in and sticking with it. You can get a copy of the restaurant’s menu with nutritional values by looking on the Internet, calling the corporate headquarters, or requesting one at a restaurant location. Carefully go over the menu and determine before hand what you will order when you go in next time. Check the total calories and fat calories of your planned meal and write it down to carry with you. The next time you plan to go to a fast-food restaurant, use your list and order from it. Politely tell the clerk “No, thank you” when he or she asks you to order something larger or something that you do not have on your list.

Avoid the Meal Deals

Meal deals and super-sizing will always add more calories and fat to your meal. When was the last time you saw a “salad meal deal” or a “fruit meal deal”? The best strategy here is for you to decide what you will and will not order at a fast-food restaurant. You decide—do not let the sales clerk decide for you.

Carry Food with You

Sometimes it is difficult to totally avoid eating at a fast-food restaurant. Lunch with the guys and gals is often hard to pass up every day. For these occasions, carry fresh fruit with you to eat with your meal or for dessert. Low-fat yogurt is another option if you have a way to keep it cool. Fresh-cut vegetables are also good to carry with you to help balance out a meal at a fast-food restaurant. See if you can come up with your own list of healthy foods to carry with you for such occasions.

Summary

“Just say NO to fast food”

Cheap Alternatives to Fast Food

(http://www.bargainist.com/deals/2007/09/12-cheap-alternatives-to-fast-food/

1. Plan ahead. Many times we get fast food because we're hungry and we have no alternatives. But if you plan your day each morning (or the night before), you can figure out better alternatives. Make sure you're home during mealtimes, for example, or pack a lunch or dinner to take on the road. With a few minutes of planning, you can save some money and eat healthier.

2. Cook in bulk. Along those lines, you could take an afternoon and cook a few different foods in bulk. A big pot of soup or chili, for example, is easy to make, and you can put single-serving containers in the freezer to grab when you head out the door. With a little creativity, you could probably come up with a bunch of your favorite foods to cook in bulk.

3. Appetizers. If you're on the go and want something cheap but good, you could call your favorite restaurant and order appetizers. Often a full entree is way too much for most people to eat in one sitting, and costs way too much as well. But appetizers are often just about the right size, and cost way less.

4. Keep a cheap list. There are always a few restaurants in every area that serve good dishes for under $10. Keep a running list of those restaurants, with phone numbers, so you can order to-go while on the go. Your local paper or an Internet search are good places to start.

5. Good salads. Most restaurants serve hearty salads these days that are cheap, fast, portable and filling. They're good alternatives to less healthy fast food. Just be sure to use a low-fat dressing, as the dressing can take away the health benefits of a salad.

6. Breakfasts. In many sit-down restaurants, you can order breakfast any time of day. And that's often way less expensive than dinner, and comparable to fast-food prices. And filling as well.

7. Lunch specials. The same goes with lunch: many restaurants have specials that are light on the wallet but good for the palate. Keep these on your cheap list (see #4 above).

8. Sandwiches. Make a sandwich in the morning to take with you (they're very portable), or order one to go from a restaurant. Cheaper than a full entree, but filling and tasty.

9. Make your favorite fast food. If you get a hankerin' for a certain fast food, make it yourself. You can buy the ingredients, easily make a bunch at once, and freeze them individually for quick consumption later. Much healthier, and tastier. For a fraction of the cost. Read more.

10. Always pack snacks. Keep a bag full of snacks to take with you on the road, as they can keep hunger at bay and thus keep the need for fast food to a minimum. Fruit, cut-up veggies, nuts, trail mix, blue corn chips and salsa, dried fruit ... the possibilities are endless. If you pack snacks that need refrigeration, toss an ice pack in the bag.

11. Bring bottled water. Often what we think is hunger is actually dehydration. If you drink water, you feel less hungry. Always have a bottle of water with you on the road, along with your snacks, and keep yourself hydrated (and less hungry) all day long.

12. Grocery stores. Another great alternative to fast food is a grocery store, which contains all kinds of food that doesn't cost much but is healthier than fast food. Often grocery stores have hot or prepared food as well. Just run in, grab some fruit and a prepared sandwich with bottled water, and you're good to go.

I believe finding alternatives to eating fast food is the biggest obstacle to overcome because EVERYONE knows fast food is bad for you but continues to eat it anyway.