Healthy Food, where is it?

[LexiKD]

I work in an office setting, sometimes running around town and get a good amount of time for lunch, but sometimes have to grab something fast. Well, what is there to eat that isn't 30 grams of fat or more or full of sodium and/or sugar? I went to Bking and nothing was under 35 grams...and if it is I wouldn't have the will to eat it without fries!

Not to mention, even if I have a lunch at a sit down place, can you really trust what they say about the fat and calories in dishes?

Anyway, I have brought my lunch everyday(turkey sandwhich or PP&J/baked chips/diet sprite) and am in need for more variety in my selections, but feel that if I go out that I eat double in fat and such and would have been better off with the boering usual!

Anyone else notice this? Is it just the South? I really have a hard time with this anyone have a handle on it. And I am not someone who can eat just anything...I have to watch it all the time.

And can we talk about why there is no Diet/caffine free sodas at Fast Food places, except Chick-Filet(sp)? I work for a chain and will be trying to change that, but some of us don't want just caffine free, we also would like no sugar too? Is that unheard of or what?

Maybe I'm just picky? But seriously, we wonder why the nation is overweight...where can we eat?

Suggestions, anyone?

[ZTAngel]

The best idea is usually to back your own lunch. It's cheaper that way too.
Another idea is to go to a local deli. Grab a bagel or a sandwich.
This might just be an Orlando chain but there's a place called Panera Bread. It's a little bit pricey but they make their own bread and you can order healthy sandwiches. They also have a wide variety of healthy soups, salads, and pastas.

[dzrose93]

Chick-Fil-A, which was already mentioned, is by far one of the healthiest places to eat. I also enjoy Subway and Blimpie... They have such a wide variety that you can find fattening and non-fattening items.

Wendy's salads aren't too bad, and their grilled chicken sandwich isn't too high in fat.

Also, Arby's roasted chicken and turkey sandwiches are pretty healthy. I stay away from the mayo, which helps alot.

[Dionysus]

Originally posted by LexiKD

Maybe I'm just picky? But seriously, we wonder why the nation is overweight...where can we eat?

Suggestions, anyone?

It's all about exercise. Yesterday was the first time I had veggies in weeks! I eat all junk, but I work out, I still weigh 105 pounds! So do most people I know who work out.

[Thrillhouse]

Also, the prices of healthy foods vs junk foods is not good. It is much cheaper to get a candy bar than something healthy.

And you can get much more carbonated drinkables in one container for a cheap price than a juice, etc.

Like someone said, no wonder why we are an overweight nation.

[LexiKD]

It is expensive to eat healthy EXGreek. It's not like salads are on a 0.99 menu anywhere...

Subway and Deli's are great but we don't have fun Deli's that aren't chain places. We do eat Subway-like a lot, but it gets old quick when others are going to eat cheesesteaks and burgers. I guess it has always been an envy issue...all my friends can eat anything and remain in single digits, you would think that I would have dealt with it and moved on by now!

Exercise is also important, I didn't mean not to bring that up...but I would rather find a good place to eat and not have to work out an extra hour to burn those extra fat grams away....lazy I know!

What about salad dressing. That is one thing I cannot have fat free. I don't pour it on, I'm a dipper, but I was reading in the store that Hidden Valley Ranch-Ranch has 15grams of fat in 2 TBS but the 1000 island had half that...is that true of all 1000 islands? Anyone?

[lovelyivy84]

You CAN find helathy food at almost any restaurant, including fast food places.

Mcdonalds- the fruit parfait, grilled chicken sandwich w/out mayo (use sweet and sour sauce or something)
Wendy's- salads, salads, salads, baked potatoes, chili isn't TOO bad, grilled chicken sandwiches again
BKing- BK Broiler w/out mayo and that's about it
deli- turkey w/mustard, no mayo, lo-fat chips, fruits

You can get healthy food anywhere it's just that people generally don't want to.

[GreekLetterGirl]

Ok I must agree with LovelyIvy that almost all resturants have a"light and delitful" menu, it just takes a little more effort to figure out. Also I know that you said you packed your lunches but do you have access to a microwave ? If so you could prepare some meals like some grilled chicken, turkey, fish or steak than makes some carbs( rice a roni for me but add some portabellas) and than some veggies ( normally grilled green beans with portabellas as well) I know that I do this and helps me a lot because I am on a training diet and many times food options aren't as good as what I could make. Also it make me feel a little bit better know that I made the food and measured out the portions. ( also my co workers think I am a kick butt chef with all my meals Sure it isn't alot of fun eating healthy all the time and we all nead breaks but the healthy foodoption is out there and sometimes you just have to look,sure it is a little more pricey to eat healthy but isn't a healthy body worth it ? Also once you start eating "healthier " you will not crace the "not as healthy" food choices as much I know for me I really don't miss the snickers bars or frech fries. Also diet and exericse go hand in hand one won't work with out the other!! Know that you do have some options and stay positive, good luck on your quest for healthy food also if you want some recpipes PM me!!

[AlphaGam1019]

Might I recommend a great book-- Restaurant Confidential
by Michael F. Jacobson and Jayne Hurley.

"This guide offers all imaginable nutritional details about restaurant food, including meals available at mall eateries, fast-food outlets and family-oriented establishments, along with ethnic eateries from Chinese to Italian. The material is first presented in a breathless, tabloid style designed to astound the reader ("It is not at all unusual for a typical restaurant meal to pack 1,000 calories, not counting appetizers or dessert, each of which could run another 1,000. Yet, most women need only about 2,000 calories per day, whereas men need only 2,500.") What follows is a practical list of the best and worst meal choices, according to calorie, fat and sugar content. After spelling out the calorie and fat gram content, the authors offer an alternative in "The Bottom Line." For example, after describing the amount of oil and sugar in sweet and sour pork, the authors advise, "No amount of adjusting will make this good enough to eat. Skip it." While the book probably won't change the way most Americans eat, avid dieters or anyone obsessed with eating healthy will find this book useful as they plan their meals."

[FuzzieAlum]

Wow, almost everyone I know exercises, and none of them weigh only 105 pounds! You have to be hard core (or have a great metablism) for that.

It's true, the fast food restaurants don't make it easy to order healthy. McD's has salads, but it's much easier and cheaper to order a value meal than to pick out items one by one. Subway has a few healthy sandwiches and they've banked on that, but most of their items are still heart attacks in buns. When I look for lunch around here, my choices are McDs, BK, Taco Bell, teriyaki (at least it's less fatty) or the bagel deli. At least the bagels are low in fat, but they're also low in nutrients.

The best solution is to bring your own lunch, but it's not always practical. But instead of getting soda, why not get water? It's cheaper and better for you. Break out of the value meal habit. Ween yourself from fries. Or just read "Fast Food Nation," and I swear you'll avoid fast food chains forever.

[LexiKD]

Fuzzie: I bring my lunch EVERYDAY! I wish we had a salad place, kind of a bar but without all the bad stuff! Water is great I drink at least 64oz a day, but at meals I like to pretend with a Diet Sprite!

Thanks for all the advise guys!

[lovelyivy84]

Originally posted by AlphaGam1019
Might I recommend a great book-- Restaurant Confidential
by Michael F. Jacobson and Jayne Hurley.

"This guide offers all imaginable nutritional details about restaurant food, including meals available at mall eateries, fast-food outlets and family-oriented establishments, along with ethnic eateries from Chinese to Italian. The material is first presented in a breathless, tabloid style designed to astound the reader ("It is not at all unusual for a typical restaurant meal to pack 1,000 calories, not counting appetizers or dessert, each of which could run another 1,000. Yet, most women need only about 2,000 calories per day, whereas men need only 2,500.") What follows is a practical list of the best and worst meal choices, according to calorie, fat and sugar content. After spelling out the calorie and fat gram content, the authors offer an alternative in "The Bottom Line." For example, after describing the amount of oil and sugar in sweet and sour pork, the authors advise, "No amount of adjusting will make this good enough to eat. Skip it." While the book probably won't change the way most Americans eat, avid dieters or anyone obsessed with eating healthy will find this book useful as they plan their meals."

I got that book! I really really found it a great source of info.

Who the heck eats CHEESE FRIES WITH RANCH DRESSING! My arteries are clogging just thinking about it. I tell you I went over that fast food section with a fine toothe comb finding things I could eat!