When you’re living a healthy lifestyle, it is just that, a lifestyle. It is not a diet that you will follow for some time, it is a lifelong journey that you must adapt to. It is a proven fact that your diet effects your weight loss, maintenance and on the flip side, weight gain more than any amount of exercise you can do. So, because we are human and run out of time to cook sometimes, are way too hungry to go all the way home and cook or just like going out, I am going to share my top five picks when I am eating out.
For the record, I eat out probably 1-2 times a week. Sometimes more if it’s just one of those weeks. Although, in a perfect world it is best to always stay home because you can’t know what someone else is putting in your food, how they are preparing it, what ingredients they are using and of course when eating out, the sodium content, doubles or triples or worse. In weight loss, sodium is not your friend. But, like I said, eating out can be enjoyable and life is meant to be enjoyed.
1.) Chipotle: Known for their supersized burritos, portions and high sodium content, Chipotle is actually one of my top picks when I’m dying to eat out. Their ingredients are fresh and adjustable to create a healthy dish. My go to combination is the salad with black beans, a little brown rice, fajita peppers & guacamole. The disclaimer on the guacamole is you must take off probably about 2/3 of the amount they slap on your bowl. Avocados are excellent for you but just because something is healthy doesn’t mean you can eat an endless amount. Avocados are full of healthy fats, but because of these healthy fats they are also full of calories, I always stick to about 2 tbsp at a time.
2.) Arbys: It is true that Arby’s chicken with veggies is a quick meal to pick up for your family dinner on the way home. Their vegetables are delicious as they come, because they are covered and I mean covered in some form of buttery sauce. The key here is to ask for PLAIN! Not all of their sides will come plain, but always ask. My go to picks are the plain sweet potato and plain broccoli. Sometimes if I am out in town and get to starving with no car snacks in sight, I will head to Arbys for a plain sweet potato or broccoli and I’m ready to go again. As a meal I also eat the chicken, sans skin of course, white meat only.
3.) Burger Works: I have no idea is this a local chain in my area or a national thing, it is fairly new to me. However, Burger Works is a very impressive burger joint indeed. You wouldn’t think you could get healthy from a burger place, but in this case you can. They too have very fresh ingredients, like fresh avocado and spring mix. I say spring mix because too often you go to restaurants and their salad selection is ice burg, ew. My pick here: A naked turkey burger served on top of spring mix, avocado, tomato, banana peppers, a little feta and onions. No dressing, the avocados make the salad creamy enough, there is no need for a dressing. My other tip here is if anytime you go somewhere and they put too much cheese or condiment, always take it off, don’t go over on your portions just because it is served to you that way.
4.) Chick Fil A: I love chick fil a for several reasons. They focus on health more than any other fast food chain, they have decent fresh salads and baby love always has a good time there. My pick, the new cobb salad they came out with is super yummy. I opt for the grilled instead of fried chicken and ask them to omit the bacon. For dressing I do use a dab of their apple cider vinaigrette and by dab I mean maybe a tablespoon, please do not use the entire packet they give you. If they had oil and vinegar, I would tell you to go that route or even better, avocado!
5.) Panera: Panera has an overall healthy visage, however, it is mostly a lie. Most of their menu items are high calorie, high fat and super high sodium. They are only on my pick list because of their salads and the ability to customize them. My pick is the chopped chicken cobb, with avocado, surprise surprise. No bacon, No cheese and No dressing. I probably do the strangest thing to this salad, but I actually put mustard on it. They have a spicy brown mustard packet at Panera that I think works just fine.
So, there you have it, my top five picks for fast dining out. Sit down restaurants will be next and even a guide on how to make healthier choices anywhere you go. I hope everyone has a great weekend!
love, Brooke
