1. Go Green

Most fast food restaurants offer more than just burgers and fries. Most also offer salads, which, by themselves, can be a very healthful choice. Certain toppings, like cheese, dressing, and croutons, will add extra nonsense calories, so avoid those, though.

2. Go Grilled

Check out a fast food menu and you’ll see at least two chicken sandwich choices, fried or grilled. The fried sandwich is loaded with fat and calories, some from the breading, the rest from being fried. But the grilled chicken sandwich, minus mayo, cheese, and bacon, can be a really good choice, with lots of lean protein.

3. Skip the Nuggets

Some people assume chicken tenders or “nuggets” will be a more healthful choice than a burger, but that’s not really true. Since the chicken tenders and breaded and deep fried, the difference in calories and fat is negligible, so avoid the nuggets, too!

4. Hold the Dairy

If you’re craving that burger, there is a way you can delete some of the extra calories and fat by asking them to make it without mayonnaise, cheese, or butter. These dairy products alone can add more than a hundred calories! Yikes!

5. Order Water

Rather than adding extra empty calories with a sweet tea or soda, or even juice, try ordering water. You’re supposed to drink about 64 ounces of water each day, and this is a great time to get about 16 ounces of that!

6. Substitute the Fries with Apples

I know of at least four fast-food chains that offer a great alternative to French fries - sliced apples! One of them provides a caramel dipping sauce, which defeats the whole purpose of making such a healthy choice, so skip that, and enjoy some crisp, juicy, sweet apples with your meal!

7. Don’t do It Often!

Everything, even fast food, is okay in moderation. As long as you’re not eating a double-cheese burger with fries every day, and are only indulging once in a while, you won’t wreck your diet or pack on extra, unhealthy pounds. Remember that key word - moderation!

See? It’s completely possible to enjoy your favorite food once in a while without becoming devastatingly depressed from the weight gain from all that greasy, calorie and fat-filled food! Again, it’s about moderation, and knowing what to choose, and what to ask them to leave out! Do you have any other tips to share on making fast food into healthy food? Please let me know!

Top Photo Credit: lostandfoundcoach