So you’re trying to lose weight, the one thing you need to do is cut out fast food as much as possible.  But it’s easier said then done!

Not all fast food can be bad for you, provided you exercise a lot of self-control; and lets face it that is a tough thing to do for some of us (I know it was difficult for me).

I don’t entirely avoid fast food, however I do eat it sparingly – typically once per month and I watch what I do eat.

For example, though I love fast food – I opt for a veggie burger instead of a meat burger.  Instead of fries, I’ll ask for a salad or soup if available.  Depending on what I’m in the mood for, fast food could also mean something like a chicken and rice plate at a Lebanese place not too far from work or a beef donair with whole wheat pita instead of white and some extra veggies.

Pizza can also be good for you – but eat it in moderation!  Don’t order a large, and eat it by yourself!  Buy a personal size pizza or pizza by the slice.

If you want to avoid the bad fast foods – why not opt for a soup and sandwhich?  How about a sub?  When I initially lost my 100lbs in one year, I would eat subs almost every day.  I’d normally buy a foot-long sub and have them cut it in three.  My lunch would be one portion, and at dinner perhaps the remaining two portions.  Subs don’t do well the next day.  Also I usually had a veggie sub loaded with vegetables but I also added mayo to give it taste.

I found that eating fast food in extreme moderation helped satisfy my cravings.

But there are some foods that I would avoid – namely virtually everything FRIED!  Fried stuff is baaaad for you, no matter what.  A hamburger is somewhat better (but again, everything in MODERATION).

If you’re intent on eliminating fast food entirely from your diet, you could go cold-turkey or gradually decrease.  If you’re eating out 4x per week – cut it by 50% for one week, then the next week by another 50% (if you’re keeping count by the 2nd week you should only be going out once per week) and by the third week cut it out entirely.

Here are some quick idea for you…

1. Skip the fried foods, and go for a salad or pick a sub.
2. No cheese, please!
3. Ask for extras… veggies like lettuce, onions, pickles or tomatoes.
4. Stop the POP!  Ask for water!  I don’t like diet drinks, so just avoid them.  If you must have a soda, limit the size, don’t supersize it.
5. Milk is a nice alternative to pop!
6. Avoid the secret sauces – most sauces have a lot of fat.
7. Choose a hot sauce over ketchup if you will have fries, but if no hot sauce available moderate ketchup.
8. Supersize it!  NOT – please, if you’re already SUPER SIZE should you be asking to supersize the meal?  You might think it’s “cheaper” but the cost to your health is what you’re concerned about.
9. I’ve seen people order a kids meal, instead of an adult meal.  It’s smaller, and is still filling.
10. Grilled, baked and boiled are your friends – look for them on the menu.
11. Eat breakfast at home, make it good so a light lunch will suffice (don’t overdo breakfast).
12. Fast food or super market?  Consider this, a burger might only cost $5.00 – multiply that 3x per week and you’ve got $15.00 – buy $15.00 worth of groceries (bread, cheese lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes…) and you’ve got enough for probably 7-10 days!  Fast food is expensive, the supermarket isn’t.
13. Avoid processed meats – they are yummy but high in fat.  What are processed meats?  Things like hot dogs, salami, bologna, ham… you know, the stuff you find that always seems to be packaged in the most colorful packages and is screaming “convenience”.

Do you have any other ideas?  I would love to hear them!

Enjoy,

Mohamed

Technorati Tags: eliminate fast food, fast food, fast food frenzy, how to elminiate fast food from your diet