Healthy Alternatives to Fast Food

The healthiest fast food chain to date, according to Healthline blogger Adda Bjarnadottir, is Chipotle.  Not only does Chipotle offer a variety of tacos and burritos, but the company also makes efforts to use only organic and local indredients with meats from naturally raised animals.  Their menu offers healthy foods such as salads, meats, veggies, rice, beans, and guacamole.  However, for the cost of a week's worth of Chipotle burritos, a person could easily shop for and create numerous other dishes with the ingredients if they purchase it themselves at their local market.  There are countless alternatives to heading to the local drive-thru, and many of these alternatives can be found online.

Photo Source: AHU Online

WebMD suggests stocking up on the following foods to prepare yourself for making food for the week without having to rush to the drive-thru:
    - Whole-grain breads, cereals, pasta, and prepared pizza crust
    - Milk, eggs, canned tuna, canned beans, peanut butter, lean ground beef patties, chicken, meatballs, and reduced-fat cheese
    - Fresh, frozen, or no-added-salt canned vegetables; fresh and dried fruit; fruit canned in juice
    - Quick-cooking grains like brown rice and whole-wheat couscous
    - Cartons of 100% orange juice, milk, applesauce, and yogurts.

This article also suggests using a slow cooker to save you time and preparing double batches of meals to save for leftovers.

It's also important to include the necessary food groups, such as fruits, veggies, proteins, dairy, and whole grains, in every meal.  Food wheels are shown and taught to children, along with adults, such as the following food wheel below.
Photo source: Business Insider

According to this chart, more than half of your plate should include fruits, veggies, and whole grains.  Only a small portion of your meal should include sugars and fats, such as butter, candy, and chips, and the rest of your plate should include proteins and dairy.  This consistent diet will ensure your body gets the nutrients it needs to promote good health.

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