| Thru | | | | Making sandwiches with sliced turkey breast and |
| | | | whole wheat bread with ready-made salad makes |
| Does fast food really pose a danger to your | | | | an easy meal that’s more nutritious than |
| family’s health? | | | | any value meal. Buy a rotisserie chicken or other |
| It’s a question that makes most moms | | | | ready-to-eat options at a grocery store instead |
| squirm. What’s for dinner? Unfortunately, | | | | of choosing fast food. If you dread doing the |
| many times in desperation the answer is found at | | | | dishes, why not use paper plates? |
| the nearest drive thru. Today’s average | | | | 3. Watch Super Size Me. You will be astounded by |
| American eats 4 or more meals away from | | | | this documentary about the fast food industry. |
| home each week. Fast food is no longer a treat | | | | Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock eats only |
| for many families. It’s a habit that comes | | | | McDonald’s for thirty days straight. |
| with a big price tag not listed on any value menu. | | | | You’ll see what happens to his body in just |
| Consider the mom who’s trying to lose | | | | one month. Believe me, you won’t look at |
| weight. She should be eating 1,800 calories or less | | | | a cheeseburger and fries in the same way ever |
| per day. If she orders a hamburger, small French | | | | again. This captivating Sundance award-winning |
| fries and small soda at the neighborhood drive | | | | feature reveals how we as a nation are eating |
| thru, she’s just spent 1000 calories on | | | | ourselves to death. |
| lunch. Not to mention the terrible nutritional value | | | | 4. Check the nutritional facts on the menu items |
| of those calories. It’s a very high price to | | | | you order. What fast food place do you frequent |
| pay for convenience. | | | | most often? What do you usually get? Go online |
| Here’s a frightening study. Researchers | | | | and look for "nutritional facts" on that |
| found that every day, nearly one-third of U.S. | | | | restaurant’s website. You may be shocked |
| children aged 4 to 19 eat fast food, which likely | | | | to discover the bacon double cheeseburger you |
| packs on about six extra pounds per child every | | | | love is a whopping 900 calories. If you have to go |
| year. Billions of dollars are spent every year on | | | | to a fast food restaurant to meet a friend or |
| fast food advertising directed at kids. No wonder | | | | something, do your homework first. Order the |
| America’s kids are wrestling with obesity in | | | | least caloric and damaging item on the menu. |
| alarming numbers. | | | | It’s usually a grilled chicken sandwich, chili, |
| So what can you do to break the cycle of | | | | salad with dressing on the side, or a fruit cup. |
| unhealthy fast food consumption for yourself and | | | | When your kids ask what’s for dinner, |
| your kids before it’s too late? | | | | don’t automatically make a beeline for the |
| 1. Reduce the number of times you eat fast food. | | | | nearest drive thru. There’s nothing |
| If you currently eat fast food once a week, then | | | | convenient about eating fatty, unhealthy food that |
| make it your goal to go for two weeks before | | | | leads to obesity. Get creative and find better |
| hitting the drive thru again. Over time, wean | | | | food alternatives for you and your loved ones. |
| yourself away from fast food restaurants. | | | | Go to Arlene’s website for her Fast Food |
| Reserve trips to McDonald’s or Burger King | | | | Guide listing the best bets at the drive thru of |
| for occasional meetings with friends. | | | | many of the nation’s most popular chains. |
| 2. Find other convenient alternatives for meals. | | | | |