Healthy Alternatives to Fast Food

Fast food is a common temptation for most of us. It looks, smells, and tastes appetizing, and there’s nothing wrong with having it once in a while. However, if fast food is a staple in your diet or a big part of what your family considers fun, you may have a problem. Consider our alternative foods and activities the next time you are tempted to pull into the drive-through.

Cook Your Own Burgers

Fast food burgers are popular but unhealthy. If you cook your own, you can reduce fat and calories significantly. Try veggie or turkey burgers, and dress them up with your own toppings. Lettuce, tomato, and onions are good starting points, but you can shake things up with chard or kale. Add jalapenos for a spicy burger, or give it a Greek twist with feta cheese.

Butter It Up

Much of the fat from fast food comes from condiments like mayonnaise and tartar sauce. Peanut butter, sunflower butter, and almond butter are good alternatives on sandwiches or for snacks. Serve these with crackers, celery, raisins, or even dark chocolate. Add them to smoothies for extra protein.

Diversify Your Sweets

Sometimes nothing is as good as a chocolate shake, but they do not have to be so calorie-laden. Make your own at home using low-fat milk and/or Greek yogurt. Instead of chocolate chip cookies, make your own trail mix with cashews, raisins, pretzels, and small servings of dark chocolate. Freeze fruit like strawberries to make your own sorbet. Avoid the sugar present in most lemonades by making your own.