How to Avoid the Drive Through

Sometimes you are just so super busy and have no time to eat so what do you do?? Hit the fast food joint of course. It’s fast, cheap and easy. Of course you end up eating the sandwich or hunk of meat in the car while driving. Not only will you inevitably drip mayo on your trousers, but your car will smell like the greasy joint that your food came from. Is it really worth the hassle??

Here’s the low down on fast food. You can consume an entire day’s calories in just one sitting. Mostly it’s fried, in the same oil as the hundred other meals before it. There is no proof of the quality of meat that you are getting and more pictures are popping up of the meat used in fast food and what it entails. I am not saying that going to the drive through once in a blue moon is bad. What my issue with the whole shebang is that people habitually eat this food. It has contributed to the growing obesity in the UAE and around the world. Fast food is loaded with saturated and trans fats, sugar and more often than not your entire daily sodium allowance. These are the things that our bodies do not need masses of.

I understand that it makes life easier to just pick something up on the way home, especially if you are a working mom but there are staple meals that your family will love that you can make for them. They will thank you for it. If you feel that you really rely on the fast food here are a few things that you can try to cut down on the meals that you have from the drive through.

Make a special day for the drive in – make it a family day when you bring home the take away. Choose an old school board game such as scrabble or Pictionary or play 30 seconds and make it a family treat as opposed to an everyday culinary experience.

If that trip through the drive through is unavoidable because of major time constraints or a deadline then opt for the burger or the sandwich but say no to the fries and the soft drink and don’t even consider a supersize option. These are just empty calories, sugars and saturated fats that are not necessary for your overall wellbeing.

Drink water with your meals. If you need the sparkles of soft drink then have a soda water or sparkling mineral water. This will cut down your calorie consumption and make the fast food meal a little healthier.

There is a lot of hidden fat and calories in condiments and dressings. Ask to have these on the side and have only a small amount of what you are given, or ask for olive oil and vinegar and dress your salad with those.

Be mindful of the descriptions in the menu; avoid it if it is deep-fried, pan-fried, battered, crispy, basted or au gratin. Choose an item that is grilled, steamed, baked and comes with vegetables.

Remember that smaller portions are healthier so instead of having a large burger or pizza, have a small one. You get that taste that you crave but with less calories. Even some sushi joints are fast food and choosing a tuna roll over a tempura roll can cut the saturated fat almost completely from your meal. Do not upsize or supersize your meal. Not only can you add a quarter more calories to your meal, the sodium content in such meals is sky high.

If you are trying to wean your family off the fast food to which they have become so accustomed try making your own fast food meals at home. You can make healthy hamburgers, fish and chips, chicken wings, pizza and potato chips that will be better alternatives. Keep in mind that yes, you may still be frying the chips and there will be ketchup but the oil that you use for frying will be of a high quality and you will not use as much, you will defiantly not use even a fraction of the salt that fast food restaurants sprinkle over everything. Serve the food on paper plates or wrapped in wax paper to make your family feel more comfortable with the new at home fast food variety. Have a look at our selection of fast food imitation recipes.

Plan a menu for you and yours over the weekend and prepare some things that can be frozen and eaten during the week. Most soups and stews can be frozen and also prepared meat that can just be thrown on the grill. Pasta sauces can also be frozen and just heated up and tossed over freshly cooked fusilli.

The thing about fast food is that it’s addictive. Your body begins to crave it when it becomes used to consuming the sodium rich foods. You have to wean yourself off the unhealthy meals and begin to cook more at home. Start today and pave the way to a healthier and happier, more energetic you. You may think that I am full of hot air but even a week after no fast food consumption you will feel the slight changes in your energy levels and maybe even your waist line.