The Dixie Sun

Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Lifestyles

Media Credit: Bryan Uhri A McDonald's Quarter Pounder with cheese has 29 grams of fat and more than 500 calories. Time restrictions can make it difficult to eat right, but simple changes like ordering salads and fruit instead of fries can make a difference.

A lot of college students go out to eat, but most of those students don't realize that it is possible to still eat healthy even when there isn't time to make a nutritious meal.

Normally, these grab-and-go meals wouldn't make the top of any nutritionist's list, and overeating at restaurants can be a problem, but you can eat hamburgers, pizzas and burritos without gaining a gut.

Beverly Knox, nutrition specialist/dietician at Dixie State College, said, "Eating healthy when you eat out is not impossible to do; you just have to stay focused and not get carried away."

Students shouldn't be shy about making special requests. Ask your server if the kitchen can alter preparations to meet your needs.

"Restaurants always make portions bigger than what you would normally make at home, so be aware of portion sizes," Knox said. "When you go out to eat, don't be afraid to share a meal with a friend or family member."

You can also modify a lot of things to make your meals more nutritious. Avoid fries and soda. Knox suggested substituting your fries with veggies and substituting soda with water, lemonade or even diet soda to greatly reduce calories.

According to http://www.menshealth.com/eatthis/fast-food/In-N-Out_Burger.php, if you eat at In-N-Out Burger, order a Double Double Burger "protein style" instead of the regular Double Double Burger. Any burger on the menu "protein style" has the patties between lettuce instead of the bun. The savings are huge: 150 calories and 30 grams of carbohydrates.

Many fast food places are providing more options. For example, McDonald's Happy Meals are becoming healthier. Instead of fries and soda, you can get apples and milk.

According to the Web site, students can ask to make sandwiches a certain way at Wendy's. Try a BLT by asking for a premium bun with four slices of bacon, romaine lettuce, tomato and mayo. It'll set you back 260 calories and .5 gram of saturated fat.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools