Many people are eating on the run in today's busy world. Dining at home is usually better for you than dining out. But eating fast food doesn't mean you have to make unhealthy choices. The next time you're eating on the run, keep these pointers in mind to help you make better choices.



A lot of fast food franchises are well aware of the poor reputation that fast food has for clogging up the arteries. To address this problem, they've brought in menu options that are healthier. For instance, many fast food chains now have salads on the menu. But be careful that you don't load up on dressing that's full of saturated fat. And if your salad comes complete with deep fried chicken on top, you can be sure it's not as heart healthy as the one featuring grilled chicken.

Choose grilled chicken instead of deep fried for your sandwich. As well, it's usually a good idea to request as many veggies as possible to be included in your sandwich. Rather than using mayonnaise for a dressing, choose ketchup or mustard, which are low in saturated fat.

Choose fruit or salad as a side dish rather than fries. So instead of a lunch laden with saturated fat, you'll be feeding your body the fiber and vitamins it needs. You might also choose milk or juice over soda as a beverage with your meal. This can aid in maintaining normal blood sugar and give you additional vitamins and minerals.

When you're truly craving a hamburger and fries, it's ok to give in once in a while. But be aware of the portion size you're ordering. A number of fast food establishments give you portion sizes that are enough for a couple of meals. Choosing a kid's meal or a small burger with french fries will help to hold down the amount of saturated fat you consume.

If you're giving your kids fast food, don't forget that there are often healthy choices like apple slices and mandarin oranges available. Opt for juice or milk over soda.

If you're dining Mexican, a generally healthy choice is a basic burrito or taco. Make a point to add on as many veggies as you can to increase the fiber. Even though a taco salad seems like a healthy choice, it's usually packed with calories and saturated fats.

If you're having fast food for most of your meals, you're putting your heart health at risk if you don't choose wisely. Your best option is to eat at home. However, if that's not feasible, why not try the "better for you" choices that are out there.