By Jennifer Benjamin and Mara Miller
Girl, don’t be an accessory to the diet crime! Learn how to game the system – and satisfy your cravings by ordering fast-food… minus the fat.
We’ve all been there: tired, ‘hangry’ and without a piece of fresh produce or healthy snack in sight… And then a fast-food drive-thru beckons. Even if you typically have stellar resolve, you’re likely to crack faster than someone on the fifth day of a juice fast. Lose the guilt trip already and get smart instead. These days, there are plenty of ways to feed your face at a fast-food chain without wrecking your waistline.
READ MORE: These Are The Best Wines To Drink If You’re Trying To Lose Weight
1 Order the ‘Happy Meal’
You might feel silly using the word junior or kiddie, but kids’ menu options often have half the kilojoules of their grown-up equivalents. “Those portions may look skimpy,” says nutritionist Teresa Wagner, “but they’re often a lot closer to the amount you, as an adult, should be eating.”
2 Hold the bread
Carb-loaded white wraps, bread, and buns can pack plenty of kilojoules and sodium while adding little flavour to your meal — which is why you can skip them altogether. Ask for a roll-free burger, a soup sans the bread bowl or a burrito minus the tortilla. This trade-out can save you up to 1254 kilojoules.
READ MORE: Which Splurge Is Better For You: A Glass Of Wine Or A Brownie?
3 Go easy on the sauce
It’s old news that drizzling on dressing or sauce yourself instead of leaving it to heavy-handed cooks can shave off at least 418kJ. But even innocent-sounding sauces, like barbecue and teriyaki, can contain tons of hidden sugar (and kilojoules). “Order your food as plain as you can,” says Lawes, “then accent it yourself.”
Looking for more diet do’s and don’ts? Here are 3 diet ‘cheats’ that won’t wreck your waistline and 11 smart eating strategies to shrink the size of your portions.
