It’s a question that makes most moms squirm. What’s for dinner? Unfortunately, many times in desperation the answer is found at the nearest drive thru. Today’s average American eats 4 or more meals away from home each week. Fast food is no longer a treat for many families. It’s a habit that comes with a big price tag not listed on any value menu.
Consider the mom who’s trying to lose weight. She should be eating 1,800 calories or less per day. If she orders a hamburger, small French fries and small soda at the neighborhood drive thru, she’s just spent 1000 calories on lunch. Not to mention the terrible nutritional value of those calories. It’s a very high price to pay for convenience.
Here’s a frightening study. Researchers found that every day, nearly one-third of U.S. children aged 4 to 19 eat fast food, which likely packs on about six extra pounds per child every year. Billions of dollars are spent every year on fast food advertising directed at kids. No wonder America’s kids are wrestling with obesity in alarming numbers.
So what can you do to break the cycle of unhealthy fast food consumption for yourself and your kids before it’s too late?
1. Reduce the number of times you eat fast food. If you currently eat fast food once a week, then make it your goal to go for two weeks before hitting the drive thru again. Over time, wean yourself away from fast food restaurants. Reserve trips to McDonald’s or Burger King for occasional meetings with friends.
2. Find other convenient alternatives for meals. Making sandwiches with sliced turkey breast and whole wheat bread with ready-made salad makes an easy meal that’s more nutritious than any value meal. Buy a rotisserie chicken or other ready-to-eat options at a grocery store instead of choosing fast food. If you dread doing the dishes, why not use paper plates?
3. Watch Super Size Me. You will be astounded by this documentary about the fast food industry. Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock eats only McDonald’s for thirty days straight. You’ll see what happens to his body in just one month. Believe me, you won’t look at a cheeseburger and fries in the same way ever again. This captivating Sundance award-winning feature reveals how we as a nation are eating ourselves to death.
4. Check the nutritional facts on the menu items you order. What fast food place do you frequent most often? What do you usually get? Go online and look for “nutritional facts” on that restaurant’s website. You may be shocked to discover the bacon double cheeseburger you love is a whopping 900 calories. If you have to go to a fast food restaurant to meet a friend or something, do your homework first. Order the least caloric and damaging item on the menu. It’s usually a grilled chicken sandwich, chili, salad with dressing on the side, or a fruit cup.
When your kids ask what’s for dinner, don’t automatically make a beeline for the nearest drive thru. There’s nothing convenient about eating fatty, unhealthy food that leads to obesity. Get creative and find better food alternatives for you and your loved ones.
Go to Arlene’s website for her Fast Food Guide listing the best bets at the drive thru of many of the nation’s most popular chains.
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By: ashishj1988 | 30-07-2008
Which movie did you last see by Andrew Stanton?
Wall-e
By: ashishj1988 | 30-07-2008
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Mother and daughter
By: voterperson | 29-07-2008
OK yesterday Doreen?s mom (in her 80?s) and Doreen (in her 50?s) went to see ?Mama Mia? which was wonderful. Any way as the movie started all of a sudden Doreen got very hot and extremely dizzy. (A few years ago Doreen got dizzy and she made the mistake of going to a few doctors, each one misdiagnosed why she was dizzy and with the medication each doctor gave Doreen, Doreen kept getting worse until she went to one doctor who cured Doreen).Mom: ?What is wrong?Doreen: ?I feel dizzy?The dizziness stopped but Doreen was nervous a little bit throughout the movie. When the movie ended:Mom: ?Just wait until we get into the car I want to talk to you?Doreen: ?Well if we are going to have a fight I don?t want to hear it?Mom: ?Then take the bus?But Doreen got into the carMom: ?You have to stop drinking coffee?Doreen: ?I know I am going to stop?(And Doreen thought that would be the end of the conversation - wrong)Mom: ?I know you drink coffee for weight loss. You don?t need to lose any more weight?Doreen: ?But I was always skinny?Mom: ?Yes but now you are even skinnier?This got Doreen mad and they had some fight. When they came home her mom said nasty things to Doreen and Doreen said nasty things back to her mom. Mom: ?You need to gain weight?Doreen: ?No I don?t?Mom: ?It isn?t just the coffee but the way you eat? Doreen: ?I like salads?Mom: ?But when you order a salad they give you mostly lettuce and six strips of chicken you leave over two.?When Doreen went on the computer she found out the reason she was getting dizzy and it was because of the herb she is taking but Doreen cannot tell her mom that because her mom is very opinionated. THEN TODAY; Doreen: ?Mom do you want to know why I got mad yesterday it is because you made it sound like I wasn?t always thin?Mom: ?That is how you hear it?Then about five minutes later they had a terrible fight because her mom started to rant and rave.Doreen: ?All I wanted was for you to answer that one question?Mom: ?OK yes you were fat before - how?s that? - her mom said this in a tone to get Doreen mad and upset.My question: How would you interpret both conversations and would do you think Doreen misinterpreted the word ?any more?? Would you think ?any more? means that Doreen?s mom did not think she was thin in the past. GIVE DETAILS
Lose weight? healthy though!
By: ganesh0o7 | 29-07-2008
how do i lost weight quick
How many calories does a fat free vanilla iced ...
By: bmtec | 28-07-2008
How many calories does a fat free vanilla iced coffee from mcdonalds have
Lose Weight and Strengthen Body
By: zoneiac | 28-07-2008
Hi.
I need to lose some weight and get healthier. I also want to learn how to strengthen my upper and lower body.
How do accomplish both goals?
Thanks
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