Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Aimee. Aimee Wonders, “why is fast food so unhealthy” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Aimee!
Homework. Soccer practice. Band practice. Academic Bowl competition. Piano lessons. Dance recital. Does this sound like a typical agenda for your week?
If you're like many kids, you have a lot of stuff going on throughout the week and on the weekend. With all of that stuff going on, it can be difficult to eat good, healthy meals.
After all, it takes time to plan meals, shop for groceries, prepare meals and sit down and eat as a family…not to mention cleaning up afterwards! So what do you do when you're on the run and still want to eat healthy?
Sometimes families rely on drive-through windows at fast food restaurants for a quick meal on the go. As you probably know, though, fast food isn't always the healthiest choice. In fact, one fast food meal can contain enough fat, sodium and calories to last you a whole day!
So what other foods are easy to prepare and eat on the go that might be better alternatives? Forget the sugar-coated donuts and bags of greasy chips. Instead, look for nutrient-rich, low-calorie snacks that contain a mixture of carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats.
Here are some examples of some healthy, on-the-go snacks you might enjoy:
- Fruit! Ask any monkey in the jungle. Fresh fruits are nature's perfect on-the-go food. They're already packaged and ready to travel. They're packed with vitamins and taste great.
- Yogurt! Yogurt comes in handy packages that are perfect to eat on the run. Combine them with your favorite fruit, and you've got a healthy, tasty snack.
- Cheese and crackers! Low-calorie, high-fiber crackers combined with a piece of string cheese makes a great snack that will fill your rumbling tummy.
- Pretzels! If you're in the mood for a crunchy snack on the go that has fewer calories than other alternatives, such as potato chips, grab a bag of pretzels and munch away.
- Bagels! Coat a whole-wheat bagel with cream cheese or peanut butter and you'll have a portable snack that will give you enough energy to make it through your next several errands.
Of course, sometimes you need more than just a snack, and sometimes the only option is to stop at a fast food restaurant. That doesn't mean that you can't eat healthy, though. There are plenty of things you can do to make healthier choices when you have to stop for a quick bite.
For example, eat fast food in moderation. Choose water or diet sodas and resist the urge to get large sizes. Stick with a small and you'll save a lot of extra fat and calories.
Many fast food restaurants now offer healthier menu options. If you're hungry for a chicken sandwich, get a grilled chicken sandwich instead of one that's breaded and deep-fried. You can also choose healthier side dishes, such as sliced apples.
And don't forget your vegetables! Vegetables? At a fast food restaurant? Yes! They're there. You just have to look for them. Sometimes they're carefully disguised as a dish called a “salad." So give one a try sometime!