Below is my ideal menu for a healthy fast food restaurant. (Note: This restaurant does not exist, yet. Perhaps you the reader will be interested in opening one?)
I'll start with the side items. You may be wondering why.... well because these are the items that need to change the MOST to make fast food healthier.
Roasted Chickpeas photo courtesy of Maggie Hoffman |
sweet potato fries
apple slices
apple slices
mandarin oranges
raw baby carrots
yogurt cup
yogurt cup
lime seasoned roasted chickpeas
chili seasoned roasted chickpeas
Healthy entree choices:
Turkey burger on whole wheat bun
Turkey burger on whole wheat bun
Garden burger on whole wheat bun
Grilled chicken sandwich on whole wheat bun
Vegetarian pita sandwich - hummus, lettuce, tomato, onion, green pepper, feta cheese and provolone cheese on toasted pita bread
Grilled chicken sandwich on whole wheat bun
Vegetarian pita sandwich - hummus, lettuce, tomato, onion, green pepper, feta cheese and provolone cheese on toasted pita bread
Grilled cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread
Healthy topping choices for burgers and sandwiches:
turkey bacon
Healthy topping choices for burgers and sandwiches:
Fresh Spinach photo courtesy of Clearly Ambiguous |
fresh spinach leaves
fresh romaine or red top lettuce (no iceberg lettuce found here)
fresh green bell pepper strips
fresh purple onion strips
fresh diced tomato
hummus
fresh diced tomato
hummus
organic ketchup (no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial
colors or flavors)
colors or flavors)
lite mayonnaise
lite ranch dressing
low fat white American cheese
low fat provolone cheese
low fat pepper jack cheeselow fat provolone cheese
So, would you or your family eat here? Would you even miss the french fries with so many healthy choices? I know our family would love these foods and would likely eat here several times a month if it were available at a reasonable cost.
In addition to the above, I would love to find a family friendly restaurant that not only offers healthy, wholesome foods, but offers food without any artificial food colorings, artificial flavorings and no high-fructose corn syrup. Think it's not possible? Well I think it IS possible. We the consumers just have to demand these types of foods. The stores track what we purchase and therefore stock more of what we purchase. Restaurants do the same. Items that don't sell very well won't remain on the menu.
Choose to eat healthier foods. You and your family will be happier and healthier for it.