• Fast food can also be healthy

    17-Sep-2009

    Tags: Fast , Food , Healthy , Diet , Fat Fast , Food , Healthy , Diet , Fat , Skinny more more more less


    Do you and your family love eating fast food but generally kill your craving for the sake of health? Don't worry, there's good news for all the lovers of fast food. Even you can prepare or choose healthy fast food and enjoy the same taste.

    Fast food

    Tips to choose healthy fast food in restaurants:

    • Menu selection plays very crucial role. Always order dishes with more vegetables and leaner meats. Try to avoid dishes labeled deep-fried, pan-fried, basted, batter-dipped, breaded, creamy, crispy, scalloped, Alfredo, au gratin or in cream sauce as they are high in calories.
    • When it comes to beverage, don't drink soda, it has lots of hidden calories. Try adding a little lemon to your water or ordering unsweetened iced tea.
    • Checking the dressing is also very important as dressings like spreads, cheese, and sour cream are high in calories. Always undress your food and try to add ketchups and mustard yourself according to the taste and requirement.
    • You can always ask to prepare your food little differently which will bring a huge difference for your health. For instance, ask for olive oil and vinegar for your salads or order the dressing "on the side" and spoon only a small amount on at a time. If your food is fried or cooked in oil or butter, ask to have it broiled or steamed.
    • Deciding on size is also important. Don't supersize anything, have a small portion.
    • Do remember, fast foods are very high on salt, so never add more sodium; this may result to high blood pressure.

    • Chew your food more thoroughly and avoid eating on the run. Eat mindfully, mindful eating relaxes you, so you digest better, and makes you feel more satisfied.

    Cooking tips for healthy fast food:

    • Fast food is all about fries and soda. You can make it healthier at home. Cook fries in an oven instead of a deep fat fryer and switch for diet soda.

    • Sauces are the important part of fast foods, try to choose healthier sauces. Like mustard is healthier than ranch.
    • Make a list of the ingredients of your favorite fast food and try to get the lighter or healthier versions of the products from nearest grocery store which you can swap them for.
    • The cooking method is one of the most significant factors affecting how healthy something is. Rather than using frying, grilling or oven cooking is generally much better. Grilling in particular gives meat a great taste and makes sure all the fat drips out of the meat during cooking.

    Here is a healthy Macaroni and Cheese recipe for you to try!

    macaroni-cheese

    Ingredients

    • 1-16 oz box of whole grain pasta

    • 1 T Smart Balance or butter

    • 1 T flour

    • 1 C milk

    • Salt & pepper to taste

    • 16 oz your family's favorite cheese, shredded, crumbled, or in slices


    Method

    1. Cook pasta according to package directions.

    2. Drain well and set aside.

    3. In the same pot, melt Smart Balance or butter over medium heat;

    4. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.

    5. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.

    6. Simmer for a couple of minutes until thickened, whisking occasionally. Turn heat to low.

    7. Whisk in salt, pepper, cheese and any optional ingredients until the cheese is thoroughly melted. Remove from heat. Add pasta and stir until coated.Fold in boosters as desired. If consistency is too thick, add a splash of milk and stir over low heat. Let cool.

    Now your kids will enjoy the fast food and you will be happy as they are healthy. Enjoy!

     

    (Source: helpguide.org, ehow.com, kids-cooking.suite101.com)
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