America is filled with citizens that are always on the move. We get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life and rarely have enough time to sit down and eat a meal at home; or pack our lunch when we go to work or when we are out running errands. When this happens, most people will turn to something that is convenient and fast so they can ‘eat and run’. Convenience comes in the forms of fast food, pizza, hoagies and drive-thrus. This is why we are an overweight nation. But there is a way to help combat the negative notion of fast food and turn to healthy alternatives throughout the day while on the road, making fast food better to eat than ‘fast food’.

Keep in mind there is one definite when eating food: YOU CONTROL WHAT YOU PUT IN YOUR MOUTH. You always have choices and there is never an excuse. Anyone who tells me that ‘they didn’t have a choice’ because they were running late or needed something quick is not giving a good reason. Every fast food chain or chain restaurant has a dieter’s or healthy menu. The key is to have self control when you step into these places so you don’t turn to a Big Mac or a Biggie Sized meal. Trust me, you have options, even in places such as this:

McDonald’s, Wendy’s & Burger King: These fast food giants are predominantly known for their different varieties of hamburgers. A healthier option is their variety of chicken salads either grilled, southwest style, Asian style or blackened. This eliminates a meal with bread, staying away from white flour, a carbohydrate that all fast food is based off of. You can even get a plain baked potato at Wendy’s or their chili, both of which are healthier options.

Chili’s: This is a place frequently visited during lunch break. Instead of getting the quesadillas, tortillas or tacos, choose healthier options such as their salads, their steaks (sirloin is the best cut that they have) or salmon. Ask them to prepare your orders without butter to cut down on any saturated fat and instead of getting the mashed potatoes, get either more vegetables (again, telling them to prepare them without butter) or a plain baked potato.

Outback: One of my personal favorites. Stay away from the ‘Aussie Cheese Fries’ and the ‘ Bloomin Onion’ and instead try their ahi tuna as an appetizer or their chicken, tuna, shrimp or steakhouse salads. Their cuts of meat are always good and plentiful. If ordering a steak, order it without butter and get a baked or sweet potato on the side along with some veggies. Also, for you fish lovers out there, their salmon and tilapia fillet are also very good. This is one of my personal favorites because Outback will make your entrée the way you want it and they will adhere to your preferences especially if you are on a diet.

Houlihan’s & Friday’s: Great places with a great atmospheres. Try their various options of salads, steaks, or grilled chicken. Both of these places also have a low carb menu for the ‘carb conscious’.

These are just a few of the places that can be found on your daily escapades and journeys. As I said there are always options; we just have to be more aware of our choices of what is good for us. In an obese nation, we are trying every diet, supplement and fat burning pill to take the easy way out when all it comes down to is self control and discipline. So the next time you are out to lunch, running errands, at the mall or eating out for dinner, keep in mind that one of the few tangibles that you can control is what you eat and a healthy lifestyle starts with proper nutrition.

John "SCHAK" Hnatyschak