Eating healthy isn’t always easy. Speaking from experience, one of the biggest temptations that leads to straying away from a clean diet is fast-food. Meal prepping takes time and fast-food is exactly that: Fast. Food.
But don’t let the occasional visit to the drive-thru hinder your clean eating progress, because there are easy ways to choose healthier options while dining out. Here are some of those “healthier” options to consider:
photo from FabFitFun.com
In-N-Out
While eating a fried hamburger from In-N-Out probably won’t fall under clean eating whatsoever, take this step to reduce excess junk. Order your burger protein style, with no sauce. Protein style burgers are served wrapped in lettuce in place of a bun and come with mustard and ketchup in place of “secret sauce” (the secret part is 80 calories). Ordering protein style will cut 150 calories from a burger with a bun.
photo from SweetToothSweetLife.com
Chipotle
Start by trying a salad bowl. A salad bowl is literally a bowl with lettuce on the bottom with all of your favorites added on top (Tip: skip the dressing and add salsa on top for flavor). Now remember, the servings at Chipotle are guaranteed to be large, but did you know that you can request to have half servings on some of your favorite items, such as rice and beans? Cutting down on the serving sizes is an easy way to save you from eating those extra calories. And to really capitalize on this health option, stay away from add-ons like brown rice (200 calories), sour cream (115 calories) and cheese (100 calories).
photo from DanicasDaily.com
Panda Express
Fast and delicious, Panda Express is nearly unavoidable, especially with it being located in the marketplace. But their best seller is actually one of the worst caloric items on the menu. One serving of orange chicken contains 420 calories, and that’s only like, five pieces. Opt for broccoli beef which boasts only 120 calories per serving. Ditch the chow-mein (490 calories) and fried rice (530 calories) and order a side of mixed veggies (70 calories) instead.
photo from Taco Bell
Taco Bell
Even if you’re on an all carb diet, Karen, you can still indulge in Taco Bell. Be careful for any items that have “layered” in the title and anything in a bowl. A fiesta taco salad has 457 calories, while two grilled steak soft tacos fresco style weigh in at only 240 calories. Twice the amount for about 50 percent less calories. Don’t let the word “salad” fool you when you’re ordering items at fast food. They tend to refer to the bowl they’re served in and not so much the contents.
photo from Jamba Juice
Jamba Juice
Unfortunately, just because “juice” is in the title does not make Jamba Juice a free-for-all paradise of nutrition. However, Jamba’s new light menu will drop the calories one-third from the regular blend, and cut the sugar nearly in half. A Strawberries Wild light contains only 160 calories for a 16 oz. serving. Also, unless you’re bulking up, stay away from the peanut butter moo’d (480 calories per 16 oz. serving). Jamba Juice offers the largest variety of healthy choices when compared to its fast food counter parts. Head down to the the BRIC and then enjoy one of the many fitness classes offered this quarter, and then reward yourself with a nice refreshing smoothie.
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