Dashing through life -- to the mall, to your kids' concert rehearsals, to the rink -- naturally means eating on the run. But fast food doesn't have to mean compromising nutrition. Healthy choices at the drive-through or the food court will keep you well fuelled and your spirits bright. Here's our guide.
When you're power shopping, don't forget to eat. Take 15 minutes for a bowl of soup or a bagel and salad. If you put it off until you're ravenous, you'll eat the first thing you see, and that may not be the best choice. Ideally, take time to eat before starting your after-work shopping spree or, if it's going to be a long day at the mall, schedule a meal break somewhere in the middle.
Skip the french fries and deep-fried chicken balls available at most food courts and opt instead for the lighter stir-fries, vegetable soups and salads.
Go easy on the special sauces that come with many fast-food meals. They're often laden with high-fat mayonnaise. Ditto for fatty gravies and toppings.
When ordering salad, ask for dressing on the side and use it sparingly. A dressed Caesar salad or spinach salad with bacon bits can have more than 300 calories and 30 grams of fat, while a tossed salad with 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of French dressing has fewer than 100 calories and eight grams of fat.
Pass on the supersize meal deals at fast-food outlets. They may sound tempting, but you'll end up eating a lot more fat and calories than you'd get in a regular-size meal.
Most food courts include takeout kiosks that offer a wide variety of foods from around the world. If you look carefully, almost every one offers some low-fat nutritional choices. Here are the best picks from the most popular fast-food outlets at your local mall, from Mexican, Italian and Chinese foods to burger joints, delis and sub shops.
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