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Fast Food Frenzy
Making the Most of Drive-Thru Dinners
By Karen L. Asofsky
The benefits of fast food restaurants are hard to ignore, particularly when it comes to feeding children. Fussy eaters are guaranteed to finish a low-cost meal and parents are rewarded with a break from cooking as well as rare expressions of gratitude from their kids.
So why then are so many parents placing their fast food orders with trepidation and unspoken wishes to "hold the guilt, please"? Savvy parents know that fast food may be fun, but when it comes to nutrition, it often falls short on the fundamentals.
Yet there is a way to have your fries and eat them too. Corinne Bronson-Adatto, a registered dietitian with a private practice in Highland Park, Ill., tells her clients not to feel guilty about choosing fast food. "Everybody does it; just do it better," she says. Bronson-Adatto offers the following tips for beefing up on good nutrition before enjoying a fast food meal with children:
- Don't order super value meals, which include too much food for a person of any age. Choose normal size portions and consider sharing the fries, shakes or desserts.
- Ask the restaurant to fix things your way, without special sauces that add unnecessary fat to your child's meal.
- Choose low-fat milk, water or fresh juice versus sugared sodas. If your child must have soda, choose the smallest size.
- When ordering pizza, add a vegetable your child will eat. Consider tomatoes, mushrooms or green peppers. Always choose thin crust instead of thick and pass on the double cheese.
- Offer good eaters the option of more nutritious offerings such as baked potatoes and salads, and go easy on higher fat toppings and dressings.
- If your child has enjoyed a fast food meal, make up for it during other parts of the day. Serve more fresh fruits and vegetables at other meals and snacks.
- Limit the frequency of your visits to fast food restaurants and remember, no matter what the environment, parents should set a good example when it comes to making healthy food choices.
