Let's face it â€" there are times when we need to go to a fast food restaurant.  Desperate times call for desperate measures is my motto.  Sometimes you have no choice but to eat fast food in the fast paced culture we live in today.  If you're traveling, in a rush or if there are no other alternatives and you're about to pass out may be one of those times.  Many of us would prefer to boast that we never eat fast food but if we took a lie detector tests it would be proved otherwise.  

If you are absolutely forced to stop at a drive thru, there are healthy choices available to you.  You just have to know what they are.  Obviously, anything fried or super sized is not going to do anything for your waistline.  I have researched what is healthy and what to avoid at a few major fast food places. The well known fast food establishment with the red headed girl in the pig tails is probably one of the healthiest fast food places.  Try to choose food less than 300 calories per serving such as grilled chicken fillet sans the mayo, a side salad or a small chili and try to avoid the loaded baked potato. 

At the leading nationwide taco establishment, choose the hard or soft tacos or any gorditas and avoid the loaded nachos and the stuffed burritos.  At a popular sandwich joint order turkey, roast beef, or ham on wheat bread loaded with veggies and avoid the meatball and Italian subs.  At the leading hamburger chain restaurants order side salads, small burgers, or grilled chicken sandwiches.  Avoid larger portions of fries, onion rings, and sodas. 

Once in a while, it's Ok to stop for fast food but don't make it a daily habit.  About 5 years ago, I knew someone who ate at a well known fast food burger place every day for lunch.  I was amazed because I don't think my sensitive stomach could handle it.  Maybe he just ate it everyday to save money because he boasted about ordering the most inexpensive items on the menu.  He never ordered the healthier items and I witnessed him gain roughly 30 pounds within a relatively short amount of time.  Either way, it is comforting to know that there are healthy items available at fast food places.