Dear Sarah - What is the best option at MacDonalds?

Years ago when I was staying with family friends in Canada, once a week one set of grandparents would come over and take their two young children out for lunch. Every week the grandparents would arrive and ask "Where do you want to go today?" and every week the children would yell out 'MacDonalds".

Most of us, or at least many of us, will for one reason or another end up in a fast food burger place. It may not have been our preferred choice, or maybe it was. But what ever the reason there may come a time when you need to know which is going to do the least damage to your figure.

I was asked this question a few days ago because the person in question has a daughter who is at an age when hanging out with friends in senior school often means hanging out in MacDonald's. This person wanted to know the better options for the teenage daughter because this group are in there quite a lot. One burger meal a month isn't a problem but several a week really could become a problem, especially if chips and drinks are also involved.

When eating out in fast food places the main tips are to avoid as much sugar as possible which usually means avoiding most sauces, all relishes and nearly all the drinks. It also means not having the additional sides or dessert, or at least avoiding these most of the time.

With reference to any fast food burger place the best option is usually a grilled chicken burger with lots of salad, no relish, a little mayo on a wholemeal bun. There are also chicken salads and again avoid the dressing unless it is only oil and vinegar. If beef is preferred then go for a burger that has lots of salad and no relish or sauce (or very little) or a burger that has a double patty because the protein will help to fill you up quicker and for longer. The buns contain sugar which keeps people hungry. There is a longish chemical reason for this which I am happy to explain another day. The best options are the breakfast muffins which have the muffin instead of the bun, with egg and bacon and very little sauce.

The best drink is water and if that is too daggy or boring then tea and coffee are also good options because it is better to have 1 spoonful of sugar in either than the 10 teaspoonfuls in a regular can of soft drink. The milkshakes are also very high in sugar. If the only 'cool' option is a soft drink than chose a diet soft drink.

If you have any questions you would like to ask regarding fast food or any other matter related to weight management and life generally after 40 please put them in the comment box below or email me at sarah@beautifullybalanced.com.au

love
Sarah