Healthy Choices at Fast Food Restaurants

It's late. You just picked the kids up from soccer practice, and everyone's clamoring for dinner. Although you know that a home cooked meal would be best, there's a pile of laundry waiting at home for you. In the distance, you see your family's favorite fast food restaurant. But those high-fat, high-calorie menu items will make a serious dent in your diet (especially since you already had a handful of chocolate candy at the office). So what do you do?

Don't despair! There are still plenty of healthy fast food options. You can enjoy a quick drive-thru dinner without worrying about adding pounds to your waistline - as long as you make some smart choices. Here are a few basic guidelines that work for most fast food joints:

Skip the soda! Sugary sodas can add lots of calories to your meal, and they've been linked to various health problems, too. It's usually a good idea to limit soda in your diet, so order an unsweetened ice tea or water instead. If you must drink soda and you're worried about calories, opt for a diet version.

Avoid breading! Many sandwiches sound healthy, but they're covered in processed breading and then deep fried! Avoid any sandwich that's fried or breaded. One warning sign is when "crispy" is part of the description.

Choose low-fat! Plain grilled chicken sandwiches are often a good choice at fast food restaurants. Chili, salads and grilled wraps are other healthy options.

Eat the burger! It may sound counterintuitive, but many fast food hamburgers are actually fairly low in calories. However, to get this low-calorie benefit, you have to order the smallest size.

Watch the condiments! Ketchup and mustard are usually relatively low in calories, but mayonnaise and "special sauces" are hidden land mines of fat and calories. Ask for your food without any condiments or sauces.