Posted by Steve in Tips | 6 Comments
The number one reason for eating fast food.
Before I tell you what I think the number 1 reason for eating fast food while trying to lose weight, I will tell what it isn’t.
It’s not the taste – Burgers, fries, pizza etc… may taste good but you can make healthier versions of your favourite junk foods at home. Most of these taste just as good as or better than the full fat dishes.
It’s not the cost – $5 for a combo is cheap, but you can make a healthy meal for 4 people for under $10 including drinks.
It’s not the health benefits – Fast food has some of the highest levels of fat, salt and sugar around. A single Big Mac sandwich as 29g of fat, 1020 mg of sodium and 9g of sugar. There are of course better options at most major chains, salads, chilli etc… But for the most part you’re not ordering that stuff.
Not to mention the negative after effects from eating most of that stuff. I’m not going to go into details but I think you know what I’m getting at.
The #1 reason
Lack of preparation – This is the number one reason I think most people are eating unhealthy fast food while trying to lose weight. Think about it if you had great tasting healthy food available (already prepared) at your finger tips and you were actively trying to lose weight. Wouldn’t you eat that instead of running out for a pizza?
How do you get prepared?
Here are some tips to help you stop eating out of convenience and sticking with your healthy eating goals:
1. Cut your dinner in half. Eat one half for dinner and take the other for lunch the next day.
2. Get a slow cooker. Some of the easiest meals can be prepared in a slow cooker. Set it in the morning and when you arrive home in the evening your dinner is ready.
3. Cook in large batches, divide in to multiple portions and freeze them.
4. Pack your lunch at night. Simple but very effective. Mornings can be hectic and a healthy lunch is usually at the bottom of the to-do list.
5. Leave your money at home or locked up at your desk/office. You can’t buy junk if you have no money. On a side note: Tell your coworkers not to lend you money for food no matter what?
6. Keep lots of almonds, peanuts, and granola bars etc… close at hand. Snacking between meals can help keep those cravings at bay until your next meal.
7. Water. Yes water. You’ve heard it a million times so just drink it already.
What are your thoughts?
very interesting. those are some great ideas that I actually use. when you are single and cooking for yourself a great way to eat healthy is to cook good – large meals on the weekends and save them. The rest of the week you can eat those meals when you have nothing else to eat.
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I don’t eat out all that often, but when I do I will get a burger off the dollar menu, just enough red meat to give me a fix.
Water is the way to go too. I’m always amazed when people super size their meals and then choose the diet drink. Too little, too late!
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That’s a good tip Josh, weeknights are very busy so anything that can save prep time is a bonus.
Matt,
Ha Ha, I’ve seen so many people order the diet soda along with the worst possible item on the menu. It’s funny and frustrating at the same time.
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I definitely agree that time can be a factor for many. I know when I worked out of the home I would prepare meals in batches (usually on the weekend) in dong so I had healthier options available. I didn’t have to spend money on food. I also packed my lunch the night before. In only had to get my lunch out of the refrigerator the following morning.
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Opal,
Time is a huge factor for me. I’ve really had to work at making time to prepare my own food. It’s like anythig really, stick with it and make it a habit. Then it just becomes a part of your natural daily routine.
Thanks for the comment
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I couldn’t agree more. People are just lazy when it comes to preperation. Most believe convenience is king
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