Question:
Help with Fast Food Options!!
So far I have been doing well with my food choices. 68lbs gone in 2 1/2 months. I usually do not go over 800 calories a day. Like many people, however, my work hours are long and I do not have much time to cook at home all the time. I would like to know some of your favorite healthy fast food/takeout options. I have been faithfully using the nutritional charts and would like some variety. — N. H. (posted on November 11, 2007)
November 11, 2007
The Wendy's chili (small serving) is a great option. It is low in fat and
high in protein. Also, the baked potatoes at Wendy's are good--they serve
reduced fat sour cream (just skip the butter). Another good choice is the
chicken sandwich at either Wendy's or McDonald's, but just ask them to
leave off the mayonnaise. Another option from McDonald's is the grilled
honey mustard snack wrap--it is small, but has grilled chicken, honey
mustard, lettuce and I think tomato, but not sure on the tomato. Both
Wendy's and McD's have nutrition info on their websites. They break
everything down--fat, protein, sugars and everything in between. Also, the
"Kiddie" cone at McDonald's is low in sugar and fat and would be
a nice treat option. Good luck!
— ALafferty
November 11, 2007
That's so funny that someone already put my favorite. Whenever I get stuck
and have to rely on fast food, it's the small Wendy's chili that I get.
It's really deliciousm has protein, low fat and easy to eat for a
lapbander. It's 330 calories for the whole thing and sometimes I don't
even finish it.
— Stacey D.
November 11, 2007
The El Pollo Loco Taco l Carbon is finely copped grilled chicken, cilantro,
onion, in a very small folded corn tortilla, no sauce but flavorful. I had
my surgery on Oct. 2nd and just tried one yesterday. They are very small,
but I could only eat half. It was a treat. I had to pick the onions out
as I am not ready for raw veges for a while.
— [Deactivated Member]
November 11, 2007
I just had surgery 10 days ago and although I don't have an answer, this is
good info to know...thanks all
— PAWLLA L.
November 11, 2007
I agree with the Wendy's Chili, its the best.
— John C.
November 11, 2007
Nikki,
So, like you and so many others out there....I find myself having to make
"good, healthy choices" at fast food restaturants. Sometimes,
it's not easy. But here is what I have found in my 9 months post op.
WENDY'S - Small Chili. .99 Chicken Nuggets. .99 side salad w/Italain
dressing. Sour Cream/Onion Potato. Chicken Salad Cabatta (just eat the
chicken salad).
ARBY's - kids meal - turkey and cheese on whole wheat/add mustard. I don't
eat the bread - some people do. Chicken Salad wrap - eat the chicken salad
(meat) and the fruit, really good.
EL POLLO LOCO - I get the boneless, skinless, breast meal w/a side of
pintos and the side salad. Of course, I don't eat it all, I concentrate on
the protein (chicken/beans) and the salad for veggies.
TACO BELL - pintos and cheese. The chicken enchirto w/green sauce and extra
cheese. A spicy chicken taco. Bean & cheese burritio w/extra cheese.
Again and of course, I don't eat it all, but you get some different ideas.
DEL TACO - chicken al carbon - good. Chicken Burrito. Pintos and cheese.
Chicken soft taco extra cheese, no lettuce.
JACK IN THE BOX - fajita pita w/salsa.
CARL'S JR - chicken strips
At major chain restaturants, grilled chicken whatever. Salad. Just make
wise choices - grilled - broiled or boiled is always best :)
— jammerz
November 11, 2007
I like the mashed potato's and gravy from KFC.
— MCraig3
November 11, 2007
I've done the wendy's small chili, it IS good as are the baked potatoes
(however I don't use the butter and sour cream, never have). I put the
chili on the potatoe and eat it that way. No one mentioned Arby's or
Hardee's. I love the hot ham and cheese sandwhich's, but I take off the
top part of the bun (and throw it away), and only eat like 1 or 2 small
bites of the bottom of the bun (and throw the rest away). I also do the
Zaxby's house Zalad with very little honey french, and I can only eat half
of the salad at a time. These are treats I only allow myself like once a
month or even once every 2 months. Some non fast food choices are the
Cottage doubles made by bridgestone's (found at Kroger, and Wal mart super
centers). They have 11 grams of protein, very little fat, and are the
PERFECT size for lunch, dinner, or a snack. My nutritionist was extremely
happy that I loved all of those! They come in peach, blueberry, raspberry
and pineapple. Good luck, God bless, congrats on yr weight loss thus far,
and welcome to the losing side!
— crystalsno
November 11, 2007
Mcd's also has grilled ranch and grilled chipotle snack wraps. They are
very good and I rarely finish all of it.
— Kris T.
November 11, 2007
Hi Everyone...
Just joined your group tonight...was interested in all the answers
concerning fast food choices..but am having trouble with one..Cottage
doubles...What are they?? Wonder if we have them up here in Calgary,
Alberta?!
Also wondering...I am soon to be banded...How does one
know whether the question is from a lap-bander?!
Inquiring Canadian minds want to know!
Dee123
— dee123
November 11, 2007
I stay away from fast food........it been 2 in half for me.......and i ran
into complications and couldnt barely eat anything im starting to eat a lil
something now.....like fruits in the cups mix fruits........and so far the
only thing my stomache is accepting in cup of noodles well i dont get the
cups i get the ones in the lil bag.........cause the one in the bag has no
sugar and lesser sodium then the cups do...........but i dont even finish
it all i get full..............but beleive me i would never go back to
fast food joints.........u wanna becareful...........u dont want to stretch
out ur stomache..........believe me u dont
— Lizzie86
November 11, 2007
The reason why I asked the question is because many people have very busy
careers and lives in general. It would be great to eat a home cooked meal 7
days a week, but it is just not realistic. I have done well incorporating
healthy snacks and some meals with good fast/quick options. Sometimes I
don't leave work until 8-830pm from 8:30 that morning. Cooking on those
days is not an option. BTW, Subway has some great salads that are under 6
grams of fat and under 200 calories! They have tons of veggies that I do
not buy because they go bad in my fridge, so I let them make it. Just watch
the dressing. I never realized how many calories regular ranch has. Also,
there are some good things on Applebees Weight Watchers menu (Steak
Skewers). I had the Open RNY and no matter what I eat I can only eat about
half.
— N. H.
November 11, 2007
I don't get it! Here all of us are lucky enough to have the
"tool" to help us and guide us in "wiser" food choices
and you all are right back at eating what has made us and all Americans
(don't know habits of other countries) get to where we all are/were OBESE!
I don't advise any "fast" food, it only makes us fall back into
that old familiar pattern once again. I prepare meals to take to work, I
also make ahead and "freeze" some meals to "nuke" when
I need something quick and I always, ALWAYS carry a protein bar or ready to
mix protein drink with me. Fast food is not an option for me anymore, but
as a "treat" to myself I do ocassionally stop at Applebee's for
the "Cajun Lime Grilled Talapia" and savor every minute of
someone "waiting" on me and the half I take home the next day.
MMMMMmmmmmmmm.
— Toni Todd
November 11, 2007
Toni (above) Snap out of it. It sounds like you are having flashbacks!
Everyone does not fall off of the wagon after visiting Subway. If I can get
a salad from there cheaper and more convienient than making it myself, what
is the big deal. If I follow the nutrition chart and make good choices and
lose weight to boot, what's the problem? If someone is so scared to even
visit a fastfood eatery because of falling off the wagon, the problem lies
within themselves. True triumph lies when you can go there and be ok with
making a healthy choices. One can not hide under a rock for the rest of our
lives, life goes on and if we hide because of fear of temptation it could
be just setting us up for failure....BTW why are we always so judgemental
of eachother? We are all in this together and what's good for one may not
be for all. Thanks to those who answered my original question! Respect.
— N. H.
November 11, 2007
Another suggestion for Wendy's is the small chili and a side salad. Then
spoon some of the chili (drain the liquid off your spoon the best you can)
on your salad. Protein and veggies!
— vnash
November 11, 2007
I agree with you Nikki on Toni Todd's "no fast food!" I am so
very happy with how much will power I have now, vs. absolutely none before
surgery. I have had no problem going to fast food restaurants for my
daughter once or twice a month (she get's small fries and small soda's with
her chicken sandwhich) as there are many healthy choices now. But because
even those healthy choices are high in calories, I restrict myself to those
"treats" to only like once or twice a month. And if I do have
that high calorie food one day, I cut way back the rest of the week to
compensate for that. I have not stopped looking at caloric intake each
day, and even my nutritionist said that was fine. So Toni, take a chill
pill and realize we are not all alike, and most of us have learned to make
healthier choices. "Going back" to fast food will NOT make most
of us fall off the wagon! My sister is 4 years out, and she's doing great
at keeping it off, and still eats a slice of pizza once in a while or a
child's meal (she ends up only eating half of it and throw's the rest away)
at a fast food restaurant, but like me, she watches her calories the rest
of the week...Nikki, I want to thank you for such a great question! After
I sent my answer, I realized I forgot to mention subway. I get the foot
long turkey, BUT I get honey oat or wheat bread, low fat ranch (on the
side), cucumber, carrots, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and pickles, and I have
them cut it into 2 inch sandwhiches that give me lunch or dinner for an
entire week if not longer! I am not going to deprive myself of any
"treats" now and again, as when I did that before I would gorge
on the food all the time after I couldn't stand it anymore before wls, PLUS
we will not always have the choice of a good nutritious meal wherever,
whenever we go!!! Just make sure you increase your exercise for the week,
and drink more water, and you can continue to do well...it's called
COMPROMISE!!!!!! Have a good one everyone...God bless!
— crystalsno
November 11, 2007
YOUR TALKING ABOUT FOOD NOW AT 2 1/2 MONTHS OUT. WAIT AND SEE IT ONLY GETS
WORSE AT 6 YRS OUT.
— deb44m
November 11, 2007
I THINK: WILL POWER AND MODERATION ARE THE 2 MAIN ISSUES HERE! we are all
in this together and we all know that support is a big key!! i think you
can make good choices no matter where you decide to eat. most fast food
places are putting healthier choices on their menus now, which makes it
easier for us. i'm right with you on it being impossible to eat home
cooking 7 days a week! i work from 6:30am-8or8:30pm and on those days i
don't have the energy to hardly eat much less cook! the key is using better
judgement and doing everything in moderation. Good Luck and keep up the
good work.... Holly
— RNlvnCARSON
November 11, 2007
One thing people haven't mentioned is breakfast. I ususally have left
overs that I can take for lunch but sometimes breakfast is a huge problem
for me. On those days I go to Mcdonalds and get an egg mcmuffin, I only
eat the egg and canadian bacon. I don't know about the rest of their menu
but I know the egg mcmuffin is made by poaching a real egg on the grill.
— Radgalut
November 12, 2007
No, I don't have "fast food" flashbacks. I never go thru any of
the drive through places and I hardly ever went out to eat, being
"vegetarian" does make your choices very limited. But, COME ON
PEOPLE! Mashed potatoes n gravy? Baked potato w low fat sour cream? I was
not picking on you, Nikki, just some of the advice that comes across here.
At 2 1/2 months the "HUNGER" usually isn't there for most people
but it WILL return (thanks, Debra Manus). Salads are great, of course, but
unless you can get a fair amount of "protein" with that then
whats the point. Protein should be your first choices and yes, many
"fast food" places do offer Healthier Choices, but not all of
those "really" are. I agree with you on the keeping the makings
(veggies) for salads, I do end up throwing alot away and I buy the smallest
quanities availible. But even my salad choices are after I've gotten my
share of "protein" for the day. Let me say again, it's all
"fairly easy" at 2 1/2 months out, but there truly is that
"honeymoon" period and it does end not too many months on down
the road. I really do care about my "co-losers" and want whats
best for everyone. My choosing to go back to eating fish was a VERY HARD
ONE! But I did it (after many times of throwing up) (and, Yes, it's my
"head" issue) so I could get the protein in with a few more
choices. (You, don't even want to go into my "egg" issue...) But
the "KEY" is reading the labels and knowledge of what you are
eating. I work with some one who had her surgery just a few months before
me (I spend 11 hours at work per shift) and to watch her eat greasy,
drippin, mayo loaded burgers, Yes! she buys 2 of them and eats one a hour
or so later and Slam down soda's while she's eating, I just don't GET That!
So here I can "preach" and climb up on the "soap box"
and try to share the "healthier" choices with every one. Because
Like it or not we ARE all in this together and whether we admit it or not,
everyday, WE, have to make choices that affect the rest of our lives and
naturally WE WANT the best for ourselves and the BEST for everyone else
sharing that "road".
Thanks for letting me "sound off......
— Toni Todd
November 12, 2007
I have a busy family and can relate to needed ideas on "healther"
take out options... If I take my 6 year old out for an occasional pizza, I
will order a meatball. I agree with Wendy's chili and a salad... other
take out options I enjoy with my family (in moderation) are take out
chinese... I get steamed orders of moo goo gai pan (chicken and veggies) or
order items with sauce on the side. Hot and Sour soup is a nice choice.
SUSHI!!! I order items with no rice or request very little rice (or pick
the rice off mine) SPICY TUNA is my fav... Beef negimaki is yummy too. I
still enjoy food! I just eat less, get my protein in and move my body as a
part of my healthier lifestyle! Great question Nikki and some wonderful
ideas on here.
— robinmarra
November 12, 2007
Great question! And I am agreement with everyone, including Toni! She is
just giving a different perspective. I only poultry and seafood so if I
decided to go the fast food route (because I work long hours) it may be
difficult or impossible because of the limitations I have on my diet. You
take which part of this YOU need, whether it is the fast food tips or the
tips given to avoid fast food and still make quick fast eating choices and
go with it. No need to berate others because they have a differing
opinion. Thanks to all for the posts and especially to Nikki H. for
posting the question!
— B. Jones
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