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Writer's pictureSikemi T

How to eat healthy(ier) at a fast food restaurant

Updated: Jan 31

There are many reasons why people choose fast food restaurants over other dining options. For example, sometimes we don't have time to plan a healthy meal — and when that happens, we must resort to fast meals.


Maybe you're travelling and need something quick and easy for breakfast on the go, or perhaps you don't feel like cooking dinner. Whatever your reason, these three tips will help you make the most out of your fast food restaurant experience without compromising your fitness goals.


bowl of soup at restaurant

Fried Chicken

If you love fried chicken, you're not alone. The beauty of fried chicken is that it's cheap and tasty. The not-so-beautiful side is that it comes with many calories. Add the sides that go with it, and the calories keep increasing.


The ideal situation is to go for grilled chicken, but if you must get fried chicken, remove all skin and eat only the meat.


Tricking Your Brain

Giving up grains and eating vegetables as a substitute is not the first choice for most people. Whether having bread on your sandwich, eating rice and sauce or having pasta for dinner, grains are a big food group that can be hard to replace. There are many recipes and ideas for cutting back on grains and replacing them with more nutrient-dense foods like vegetables.


However, the reality is that your next meal may be at a fast food restaurant. What can you do? Replace half of your rice serving with coleslaw (without dressing). Another option is to replace half of your grain with cucumbers, carrots, or any other vegetable you enjoy.


Dealing With Excess Oil

Most of our dishes in Nigeria are prepared with oil or more oil, 😀 and the dish's taste is sometimes directly proportional to its oil content. Cooking oil is also used as a preservative in some dishes. To preserve its freshness while in an al fresco setting like a Bukka.


You can drain the excess oil from food if you find yourself in a Bukka or restaurant for your next lunch. One way is to mop it out with a paper napkin.


bowl of food on a table

Click the ❤️ button if you found these tips for eating healthy at a fast food restaurant helpful.


Bonus: If you want more healthy lunch and dinner ideas, check out our Free Food Plan for Busy Professionals. This guide optimises your energy levels weekly and is tailored to fit even the busiest schedules.


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