Dollar Menus More Popular Than Ever
If your resolution for 2009 includes eating healthy and watching your money, then dollar menus might fit into the latter.
-->By: Marybeth Brush
Updated: December 31, 2008
If your resolution for 2009 includes
eating healthy and watching your money, then dollar menus might fit into the
latter.
It's the latest way fast food chains
are tempting your taste buds.
"They are good and quick!"
says Ronald Michael. And he knows about
those dollars menus.
"I'm on the road a lot, it's
hard to eat healthy on the highway." says Michael.
But is the cheaper price on food the
way to go?
"I think what's good about the
dollar menu is that they have reduced portion sizes, but a negative is a lot of
those items are high in calories, fat and sodium,” says Megan Fairfield, a
dietitian at Saint John's hospital in Springfield.
She recommends packing your lunch to
save on money and your waistline.
"Aim for a balanced meal. An easy way to is choose between four of the
five food groups,” says
She says head to the grocery store
to get a variety of healthy items. For
example, instead of a sandwich everyday, try a wrap.
If you feel overwhelmed when you
head into the supermarket, let's say, you don't know where to start,
"That's where you will find
your fresher ingredients, fresh fruits and veggies,” says
If you find yourself in a jam, and
need to hit the drive thru,
You can skip the sodas and drink
water, put your sauce on the side, and compare menus between fast food chains
to see which offer healthy choices.
Here are some items to put on the
list when shopping at the grocery store:
-Whole grains include, cereal,
popcorn, bread and tortillas
-Lean protein include, lean turkey
and roast beef, peanut butter, boiled eggs, cottage cheese, hummus, beans, tuna
fish
-Low-Fat Dairy including, yogurt, cheese
and milk
-Fruits and Vegetables. Try bite-sized ones and include low-fat yogurt or low-fat salad dressing for dip
