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Posted on October 14, 2007 by Ellie Dixon | Posted under Health
Fast Food - Can it ever be OK?
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But fast food isn't necessarily good food and as you see your child contentedly dunking greasy chips and chicken nuggets into salty barbeque sauce and mayonnaise, you promise yourself that you'll be stronger next time and resist the temptation of a fast food solution, knowing deep inside, that this is a promise you're doomed to not to keep. Don't beat yourself up about his. Fast food outlets are there in response to our most fundamental need - to eat. And when you're an exausted working parent, you're only human for giving in on occasion. It's important that you keep your fast food meals few and far between though to avoid compromising your own and your family's wellbeing. Try to stick to the following guidelines: Don't let fast food become a habit. Restrict your visits to franchises to a twice a month at most. Make those fast food meals a particular treat that you and your children can enjoy together. Ask for nutritional information. Many fast food restaurants will provide, upon request, a nutritional breakdown of their menu items and this can be used to assist you in making your selections. Endeavour to be as "healthy" as possible. More and more fast food chains are offering "lighter" "leaner" and "healthier" options across their menus. Pizza is a nutritionally sound selection as is a baked potato and broccoli. Hunt around at the salad bar and as well as all those creamy side salads you'll probably locate grated carrots, chick-peas and green and leafy accompaniments to your meal. Frozen yoghurt is a good choice for dessert and why not order a glass of milk or orange guice instead of soda or a high fat milk shake. This will help make your meal a whole lot healthier. Compensate at home - OK, maybe dinner wasn't nutritious, but you can provide an after-dinner extra. Read to your kids from a great book from Scruffy's Bookshop and nibble on carrot, fruit or a whole grain muffin as a treat when you get home. Lastly - don't ruin your treat by feeling too guilty. If you're not overdoing the outings to fast food outlets, then you're not putting your children's health in danger. So hold the guilt, relax and enjoy About The Author: Ellie Dixon lives in deepest rural Devon, England with her husband and two very large Newfoundland dogs. She is passionate about vintage illustrated children's books and loves to restore and edit them for today's kids to rediscover. Visit her website, Scruffy's Bookshop, to download some great books for pre-schoolers and older children, and while you're there sign up for her free monthly newsletter. |
Tags: FAST FOOD, KIDS, HEALTHY EATING, HEALTHY FAST FOOD, CHILDREN AND FAST FOOD, JUNK FOOD, HEALTHY JUNK FOOD,
