While we all know fast food isn't the preferred way to eat healthy, sometimes things happen and hey, ya gotta eat. I've been really good about meal planning at home ahead of time and eating things from home at work or otherwise away from home.

So far I've discovered Wendy's is a pretty safe stop for me. I tolerate their chili quite well (about 1/3-1/2 cup as a serving) and also their value menu Grilled chicken Wrap (i open it up and eat the insides only). If you consider Chipotle fast food, I'm able to eat their sofritas, black Beans, sour cream or cheese, tomato salsa, corn, and guac. I can only eat about 1/4 of a bowl at a time, so it's not my top choice for having to get something "easy."

What are your go-tos for when you have to eat fast food?

I think sometimes we should focus on the type of calories we put in our bodies. Something may be low calories yes but starches bread carbs sugar processed meat etc..... No good!

I don't eat bread/carbs/sugar at any of my fast food choices and typically eat grilled chicken which is the least processed. But I do a six hour commute (round trip) a few times a week sometimes. I pack food, but sometimes make the choice to stop and chose something fast food. I think there are good choices if you look and fit it into your program. I've lost 135lbs and am keeping it off (six months so far) so I don't believe it has hindered my success. Life is about choices and balance within the programs laid out for our success.

I avoid fast food like the plague, but my husband and I do a lot of traveling and sometimes there just isn't a choice. If I have to eat it, I like the Jack in the Box chicken fajita pita (I'll have maybe one bite of the pita at the end but just eat the insides). KFC has a BBQ pulled chicken sandwich which I'll have without the bun. Taco Bell al fresco chicken taco, no tortilla. Definitely Panera salads with grilled chicken. Panera actually has a number of pretty good choices. They have a new lentil quinoa bowl that is very filling and more than two servings. Also for breakfast, their power oatmeal with quinoa and pecans. Lots of protein there.

If I have to have gas station food (yikes!), some of them have the cheese & veggie or cheese & fruit trays that sometimes come with nuts. Those aren't bad at all. Or I'll grab a hard-boiled egg, or yogurt and some nuts, or some turkey jerky. I always keep a Premier Protein Crunch Bar in my purse in case of a dire emergency. 15 grams of protein and it will tide me over for hours until we get to where we're going.

And if we're going out to a restaurant, I always, always go online and figure out what I'm going to eat before we get there. So glad we live in the Internet age where that's possible!

I try to make most of my food at home so I know exactly what's going into it, but sometimes it's just not possible. It's nice to have strategies in place in case of emergency.

Thanks for having this a topic. I didnt realize how usefull this info may be one day until after I read it.