Fast food has become a main staple in American society due to its quick delivery, desirable flavor, and inexpensive price tag. However, those great tasting burgers and pizza pies are seldom healthy diet choices. You should avoid fast food completely when active in a fitness program or weight loss diet, but if you must have a MacMunchie then here are some tips for making your fast food experience as healthy and low calorie as possible.

Choose the Leanest Meats

Whether you’re getting a burger or a salad, select the leanest choices of meat available on the menu. Bacon and sausage are loaded with fat calories, not to mention heart-clogging cholesterol. It’s much better to grab a roast beef, ham, or turkey sandwich over a bacon burger, or to add them to your salad instead of cheese or croutons.

Be Choosy With Condiments

Most condiments are packed with sugar and other unhealthy ingredients. One package of mayonnaise alone can add well over 100 calories to your salad or sandwich. Ketchup, BBQ sauce, and those enticing special sauces contain high amounts of sugar. If you must use a condiment, avoid mayo and stick with a small amount of ketchup, BBQ sauce, or mustard.

The healthiest selection is salsa or hot sauce (such as Tobasco or Lousiana) that contains vitamins A and C and lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. The peppers of which hot sauce is made of are also good for raising your metabolism that help you burn off those extra fast food calories.

When it comes to salad dressings, Balsamic vinegar and oil is your best option.

Avoid Fried Foods

When you get the urge for fast food chicken, it’s best to skip KFC and go to a place that can give you grilled or baked bird instead. Grilled or baked chicken is usually skinless and much of the remaining fat drains off while being prepared.

This rule applies to any fast food or restaurant you visit. Stay away from fried meats and fish and opt for healthier grilled or baked versions instead.

Be Picky With Pizza Toppings

Although it’s almost unthinkable to order a pizza without pepperoni, those delicious little slices provide approximately 100 calories per 4 pieces. Instead of pepperoni, add selections of ham or extra veggies that will add flavor, provide vitamins and fiber, and keep your midsection free of belly fat.

You should also get your pizza pie with a thin crust. Much of the calorie producing carbs in pizza abide in the breading. Ordering a thin over a thick crust will slash a slew of calories.

Eat Less

Oftentimes, you might feel like you’re cheating on your healthy diet by indulging in fast food or a tasty restaurant meal and, therefore, will gorge so you can justify the slipup. The thinking is “if I eat lots of forbidden fruit now then I won’t have the need to do it again for a long time.” This strategy may work on your guilty conscience, but your waist will eventually tell on you.

It’s far better to simply order a smaller portion or eat only eat half of your meal. This way, you drastically reduce the calorie load and, in the case of carrying home leftovers, you have another tasty treat for the next day. Just make sure it’s as healthy as possible!