Hi, guys! Happy Hump Day! Is anyone else ready to be over the hump?!
I was bored-hungry mid-morning, so instead of digging into my lunch early, I sipped on some delicious tea that I found in our office kitchen. The tea was a very special find! 
I was psyched to discover that this particular tea actually existed! You see, a couple of years ago, I had a manicure at an Aveda salon/spa where they served me a lovely peppermint tea that I enjoyed quite a lot, but never thought to ask about it. Drinking the tea that I found in the kitchen this morning totally reminded me of that day at the spa, and I am convinced that it is the same tea. The Aveda Comforting Tea is an “herbal infusion of licorice root and peppermint.” It’s gotta be the same one! I’m so happy that I found it! 
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Lunch
Today’s lunch was half of a leftover vegetarian burrito from one of my favorite “fast food” restaurants: Chipotle. (I ate the other half for dinner last night. It was a HUGE burrito!)
The “innards” of the burrito included black beans, corn, salsa, green peppers, onions, and guacamole.
For dessert, I have a homemade peanut buttery blondie! And for my afternoon snack: French vanilla yogurt and fresh strawberries. I love this yogurt-berry snack! It’s dessert-like, but, at the same time, light and summery.
“Healthy” Fast Food
I received so many comments about “busting” Mal with his Wendy’s fast food dinner the other night. (I still think the whole situation was hilarious! 
) Quite a few of you mentioned that you also enjoy fast food from time-to-time. While I don’t indulge in “hard core” fast food (e.g. a burger from McDonald’s), I will occasionally eat a burrito from Chipotle or a small “Frosty” from Wendy’s. In my opinion, eating fast food in moderation is totally fine and can be part of an overall healthy diet. Here are a few of my tips for enjoying fast food in a “healthy” way:
- Drink water with your meal. If you’re going to indulge in fast food, skip the soda all together. There is nothing nutritious about soda!
- Watch portion size. I always order a small size to help reduce unneeded calories and fat. If the “small” is not that small, I will share it with Mal or take the other half home for later.
- Make careful selections. I pay attention to menu descriptions and sometimes ask employees for clarification about a particular menu item, if needed. Seemingly healthy items can be deep-fried, batter-dipped or breaded, which adds extra calories, sodium, and unhealthy fats to the meal. Similarly, if nutritional information is available on-site or on-line, I will check it out before I make my meal decision.
- Nix the extras. For example, if you order a burger, nix the cheese and/or “special” sauce, and eat your burger plain or with healthy toppings like lettuce, tomato, salsa, pickles, etc. Same goes for salads: I order mine without cheese and the dressing on the side.
- Eat mindfully. Savor each bite, chew your food thoroughly, stop eating when you are full, and try to avoid eating on the run.
- Enjoy the splurge! And don’t feel guilty about it! Of course, moderation is key, but if I over-do-it, I just get back on track the very next day with extra healthy meals and some exercise.
Bonus Question of the Day
*For me, fast food includes Chipotle, Subway, Panera, Dunkin’ Donuts, D’Angelo’s, etc.
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hahah cute post. i have to admit, i pretty much think fast food is a no-go zone for me. i’ve had fast food once since i started blogging over 8 months ago…. it was wendy’s last month and i was on a road trip. the whole concept really freaks me out after watching supersize me. but sometimes it is necessary to grab something fast! i think you have some great tips for keeping it healthier than it could be otherwise.
Mmm
Great tips! I worked on a teen tour in the summer of 2005 and almost every lunch was fast food — yet I lost more weight than ever that summer by getting salads and only snacking on some of the kids’ fries!
I do treat myself about once a year to a Sausage McMuffin with Egg at McDonalds, I just love it. The last time I had one was July 2007, the morning after my apartment was broken into!
Funny to be reading this while splurging on my favorite new “fast food” lunch – a summer burrito (black beans, cheese, mango salsa) with chicken and brown rice in a bowl from Boloco. And a cookie, but whatever.
I can’t remember the last time i ate at a Burger King, Wendy’s, McDonalds, Taco Bell, ect. Even before I started getting obsessive about food, it just wasn’t something that I craved. I’ve probably eaten at Chipotle three times over the past year – it’s right next to my mom’s work! It’s pretty easy to make healthful choices there – vegetarian salad loaded with veggies, burrito sans cheese and sour cream… But you are SO right. ANY kind of food can be incorporated into a “healthy” diet. MODERATION!
I haven’t eaten traditional fast food (burger king, wendys, taco bell, mcdonalds, etc.) In several years. but I do occasionally stop at Chipotle – love the salad with guac! and Subway. I prefer saving my ‘splurges’ for pizza and dessert
I would say I have the same philosophy as you. We have a place here in Tampa called Evo’s and they bake their fries and chicken tenders and also have veggie burgers and healthy organic smoothies and milkshakes. YUM! Gotta love a healthy indulgence!
I haven’t had serious fast food in as long as I can remember. Wait.. scratch that… it was in budapest when the only edible food we could find were mcdonalds egg mcmuffins. however, I don’t mind indulging in the occasional McDonald’s ice cream. I don’t count that as much. that has been 2 times in the last 5 years.
I do eat at Panera now and again, and D’Angelo’s too. At both I eat salad + a wrap or some chips for fun food.
PB is not allowed to eat it either, not that he would. he is more hard core than I am about eating homemade foods, although he doesn’t buy any organic products/foods yet.
I also feel it necessary to add that I have never had a frozen meal (like lean cuisine, weight watchers, or amy’s) ever in my life. I don’t understand the appeal behind them because I would rather order takeout from someplace or eat a lunabar and a fruit and call it a night (if I was that desperate for a meal). I am really curious about the appeal though… any insight?
I only eat fast food while traveling… a cookie dough Frostie from Wendy’s is a must on the road!
So… I love Taco Bell. And it’s fiance and my go-to spot for 4th meal when we’re pulling all-nighters to write papers or study for finals. We used to go at least once a week… now maybe once every couple of weeks, depending on how stressed one and/or both of us are. Last night was one of those nights (well, technically it was at 1am today, but whatever). And I ate a steak quesadilla and a beef baja chalupa and cinnamon twists. I should probably feel more guilty except I haven’t slept in over 30 hours.
And I’ll get an occasional craving for a cheeseburger from McDonalds, so if I have one and I’m really hungry and far from food I’ll get one – that only happens two or three times a year though. I eat pretty healthy normally so honestly, I’m not all that worried. It’s all right if I’m the only one though
I am OBSESSED with the aveda tea!!!! i had no idea it came in tea bag form, i’ve only seen it loose.
great tips! fast food is fine in moderation! I like Greek spanikopita plates…so good and filling!
Oooomg, I LOVE Aveda’s tea!!! I love how it turns sweet the second after you gulp it…so strange, but oh-so-good! Mmmm, just had a burrio bowl from Chipotle this weekend – love it!!
OH! AND!!! they sell the aveda tea at all aveda stores and salons! it is naturally sweetened too!
I crave fast food which is why I gave it up for lent. They opened a “five guys burgers” right when lent started near my house and I have been dying to try it! I heard they are amazing (never had them before) Is is it Monday yet?!?!?!?!
As long as I eat well most of the time, I allow myself a McDonalds etc, here and there.
I’m about the same as you. I don’t eat the typical fast food, but I do enjoy Chiptole immensely. It’s not a regular thing, but it happens once every month or two and of course, the occasional ice cream somewhere!
I absolutely LOVE Chipotle! It’s the one fast food indulgence I’ll make, other than, like you, a kid’s size frosty from Wendy’s
that tea sounds perfect for me! i love peppermint anything and licorice. i’ve never seen it before.
We rarely eat fast food, unless we’re on a trip and it’s the only option. I would much rather eat at home or get food from a REAL restaurant. But, your tips are great ones, and I’m happy that so many places have “healthier” options now like fruit slices, milk, yogurt, etc.
Hardly ever! I might get subway once in a great while, but they are so skimpy with the meat I feel like it’s not worth the money. I haven’t had fast food in probably a year (panera, subway, dunks) and hard core stuff like wendy’s in probably five years.
oh shoot…I lied. I need to confess – I had a goey chocolate brownie melt thing from mcdonalds a few weeks ago. My bf’s sister made him take her there on our way home from a night of drinking. It wasn’t warm or gooey so I was dissapointed in the brownie and myself! It was a moment of weakness I now regret!!
whew, that felt good.
I think it depends on what you classify as fast food (Chipotle? Baja Fresh?). In the sense of traditional fast food like Wendy’s, McDonalds, Burger King, etc, I can’t remember the last time I ate some. My reasons for avoiding it are multiple (I’m a vegetarian and I’m REALLY not a fan of the industrial food system, etc etc) but I’m not going to criticize others who occasionally partake. Everyone has their indulgences- mine just happens to be sugar and sweets, not burgers and fries. It’s all about the healthy balance!
Hubby still loves his fast food (Burger King and Taco Bell). As for me, I gave up that stuff a long time ago however I do eat the occasional Chipotle or Subway type of meal. I would much rather splurge on goodies from Trader Joe’s, The Fresh Market and Wholefoods now BUT I never used to be like this. It’s fun!
I don’t eat what I consider fast food, places like McDonald’s or Burger King. I do enjoy places like Panera or Chipolte on occasion though. When it comes to burgers and fries, I’d rather have a high quality one so I go to five guys where I trust the ingredients. I used to be a fast food junkie but I really changed that a few years ago.
I also don’t get the obsession with frozen meals. LC and Healthy Choice are filled with junk, and the organic ones are expensive! I can just as fast (and cheap) throw some veggies in a bowl and chicken in a pita.
I never eat traditional fast food, such as Wendy’s, McDonald’s, Burger King, Jack in the Box, etc., and I really have no desire to. The thought of their food grosses me out (Except maybe the Kids Soft Serve at McD’s, cuz Soft Serve can never gross me out lol). However, I love Pei Wei and probably eat there once or twice a month, I’ll have Subway or Pita Pit a few times a year. I consider those options healthier because they’re fresh ingredients and much less processed. I don’t necessarily see a problem with fast food (even McDonald’s..eww…) on occasion but I would much rather go to a restaurant, prepare a meal myself or go to an in-between restuarant/fast food such as Pei Wei.
Oh and I like Panera but don’t live near one anymore : (
P.S. LOVE that tea! It’s my favorite tea. You can buy a little brewer and the loose leaves from Aveda and make it yourself at home.
sometimes I’ll eat at McDonald’s and I’ll get a cheeseburger Happy Meal with chocolate milk.
But that’s very occasional
Mmmmm, Chipotle! I love they veggie burrito bowls! If I never ate fast food again, I’d easily survive. My hubby on the hand, would probably die without his fast food fix (which I’ve helped get him down to about once a week).
Really never. Unless you count places like Subway, Jason’s Deli, Panera etc. I just really don’t have a taste for it.
I eat “fast food” about once every other week. My fast food is Jimmy John’s veggie sub, or Chipotle’s vegetarian burrito bowl.
id say i eat maybe 5 times a year if that. its generally while on a road trip when my other options are limited.
lucky (?) for us we don’t really have fast food up here. My kids have never had McDonald or Burger King. Sometimes we will go to Papa Gino’s and Panera is good but that’s a special trip about 45 minutes away! Often times if we are on the road we will try and find a grocery store and get lunch there, much cheaper in the long run and better for us.
As hard as I try, I just can’t give up the McDonald’s fries. Whenever I crave fries, those are what I want. Unfortunately I usually give in and order a McChicken with them. Which I know is ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww but if I can keep it down to only a few times a year then I figure it’s all good….considering fast food was the staple of my weekly diet only 4 years ago. My how things can change!!
Chipotle’s sounds fantastic. Must be an American thing.
I like going to Subway, Panera, Cosi, etc … places that I can get a simple sandwich, salad, or soup. If I have to stop at McDonalds, I will get a salad and pick off the cheese and fork-dip the dressing. I honestly don’t know if I would enjoy a Big Mac these days – it probably just wouldn’t taste that “fresh” or “real”! Chipotle is a different story though – so delicious! And I love that you made it 2 meals!
that tea is sooo yummy. its probably my favorite, but it is super expensive like other Aveda products
I very rarely eat fast food except for Burgerville in Oregon (who’s with me?) or Boloco in Boston. I am addicted to Boloco’s buffalo chicken (or tofu) burritos even though the small still has way too many calories.
This is like a fast food confessional! I splurged on White Castle of all things on Sunday coming home from a trip. After adding it into my food diary Lose It! on my iphone & seeing how many calories I racked up it made me motivated to stay far, far away from the greasy fast food. However, since I don’t splurge very often I didn’t beat myself up about eating the gooey cheeseburger & got back on track with my eating goals the next day. I travel a lot for work so I usually try to grab a salad at Panera or a sub at Jimmy Johns when I’m away from home. I’ve tried to make things like White Castle the exception rather than the rule.
In college I had a pretty serious relationship with Taco Bell, but now fast food is saved for road trips. Having an excuse to splurge is fun and takes a little guilt out of meal.
If we go on vacation we always stop somewhere for fast food. And about once every few months we’ll go to Arby’s for breakfast. And I’m not ashamed one bit! Like you said, moderation is key…and quite honestly some of the stuff you get at a “real” restaurant is just as bad as fast food. I don’t really see the difference. We also get takeout pizza about once a month (we usually make our own, but sometimes it tastes better if someone else makes it)!
I really don’t eat much fast food, but approximately three times a year I’ll get In N Out. Mmm! And they have grilled cheese if you don’t eat meat!
I don’t eat fast food more than once a week and it’s usually panera… I just don’t really like the way it makes me feel. I do go to mexican with the hubs like 1 time a month and enjoy 1/2 the meal and then my tummy is basically ok
I haven’t eaten at Mcdonalds, BK or wendy’s in years, but I go to panera pretty frequently. Oh I also love the salad bar at whole foods. Is that fast food?
Those “innards” look so good! Whenever I do go to McDonalds or wendy’s or some other hardcore fast food place I always get a salad. I don’t go that often though. Maybe once every few month or a couple times a year?
I live across the street from mcdonalds!! I use to go there after the bar but now that I care about what I eat I don’t go there. We have Hardee’s here and 2-3 times a year my bf and I will go there. It’s not your typical fast food and I also believe anything in moderation is ok!
I’ve never seen a chipotle but I hear really great things! I will have to try it!
I, too, cracked up at your “Gotcha!” photo. Every once in awhile (usually while on a road trip), I’ll have a McD’s cheeseburger and small fries. That usually hits the spot and is a much reduced version of my pre-weight-loss favorite: a double cheeseburger extra value meal.
Some fast food/fresh food crossover restaurants are pretty good though. I’ve ordered grilled shrimp, black beans and either grilled veggies or a side salad at Baja Fresh if I need a convenience meal that doesn’t break the calorie budget. I love Panera but their meals are deceptively high calorie and have TONS of sodium.
I try to limit fast food to once a month.
I pretty much never have fast food. I used to eat it all the time, but stopped almost 2 years ago. I might have a slice of pizza from Pizza Pizza (Canadian) from time to time, but again, it’s rare.
I also rarely eat fast food. Just too much sodium/fat/calories. It often makes my tummy hurt, even! One thing I do indulge in at least once a month is a 4-piece chicken tender from burger king. 150 calories ( 170 if you use bbq sauce like I do!), and sometimes I cant eat anything else if my anxiety is very bad.
I’m a Subway JUNKIE when it comes to road trips – it’s the only “fast food” my BF will stop for, and it’s so easy to make healthy selections. My only REAL weakness is fast food milk shakes! I gave up ALL fast food for Lent, including everything but good old fashioned coffee. I haven’t really minded too much, but I’ll be happy to have the option to grab a milkshake on a long run day in the near future!
I think I can honestly say that I don’t ever eat fast food. Unless you include Subway, where I eat the veggie delite or the veggie patty. And I am regular at Starbucks, which I guess you might say is the new face of fast food.
very nice tips!
MMMMM CHIPOTLE!!
I love fast food. And I don’t feel bad about it. I don’t eat it everyday, so why not eat it every once in a while when you want it?
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