You really become aware of how much horrible food by which we are all surrounded, and how easy it is to go for the bad stuff.

It's very aggravating when I have to eat out, and eat quick. There really are no healthy choices that will leave you feeling un-hungry. I feel like it is either a burger and fries, or a salad, and there's not much in between.

Anybody have any suggestions for eating healthy while out? I'm not talking about sit-down restaurants, most of those have some options that are better for you.

But even at the grocery store, once you really start paying attention to nutritional information on the back, it is depressing.

6/5/2016 5:15:15 PM

pack your lunch with crap from the produce section of the food dawg perhaps

6/5/2016 6:13:53 PM

What are your goals?

6/5/2016 6:29:56 PM

6/5/2016 6:31:29 PM

Well, my goal is to lose enough weight to see definition again. I've been about 188-189 for the past 10 years, and I am about 5'4'' so I've been overweight. Also going to the gym and lifting, when I can.

But most of my diet is just eating healthier and smaller portions. That is the frustrating thing - if I'm in a hurry, there's no good options out.

6/5/2016 6:42:31 PM

I like to grab a healthy smoothie for lunch when I'm on the go. If I know I'm going to be in the road all day I'll bring some trail mix or mixed nuts to munch on in between meals.

Smoothies might not sound like much, but if you're already on a diet you'll be surprised at how filling it can be

6/5/2016 6:43:50 PM

There's no good answer to this. As much as I tried to avoid it, I finally had to break down and do a ton of meal planning and preparation. I'm doing Whole30, so I don't eat any grains or added sugar. So anything fast food is out. I do a lot of crockpot meals that I can pack for the day, along with fruit and carrots/veg with 100-calorie packs of Wholly Guacamole. I'm rarely hungry between meals, and my meals are portable enough not to need to fall back on fast food.

6/5/2016 6:56:26 PM

Yea, for lunches I'm just doing a sandwich and a granola bar, and some trail mix in between lunch and the time I leave work. But these sandwiches are about to get old.

6/5/2016 7:43:35 PM

^prob want to avoid the sandwich bread

6/5/2016 11:09:15 PM

I would choose the sandwich over granola and trail mix.

6/5/2016 11:42:31 PM

big mac salad. get 2 big macs, take out all of the bread, mix it around in a bowl, consume.

6/6/2016 12:05:20 AM

Smoking is a good way to decrease your appetite.

6/6/2016 12:13:27 AM

http://www.sassool.com/

http://dicedsaladscom.saas.setupwebsitelink.com/Menu/Menus.aspx

Both located in Trader Joe's Shopping center in Cary. Best "fast food" options I have found in that area.

6/6/2016 8:38:57 AM

^Speaking of which, I'll often try and grab something from TJ's if I'm not in too much of a hurry. If you're looking for drivethruesque stuff though, it's a bit harder. I'll usually just go for the not obviously terrible options at my preferred fast food places:

Bojangles grilled chicken sandwich, cajun pintos, and unsweet tea.

PDQ grilled chicken sandwich, apple slices (no toffee), and a seltzer.

It'd be cool if the Amy's Drive Thru places started popping up.

6/6/2016 8:43:11 AM

Chick Fil A - grilled nuggets (cut up chicken breast), apple slices, and water
Chipotle - beans, chicken, veggies, salsa, corn, lettuce
Harris Teeter - salad bar (they have bean mixes, fruit, and other stuff in addition to salad) and sandwich bar, I walk here daily for lunch
Sassool is definitely delicious and plenty of healthy options, it hard to get the 3-side sampler instead of the 4-side sampler to prevent overeating

Bojangles does wraps now too, so you don't have to stick with the sandwich

6/6/2016 8:55:14 AM

http://www.sassool.com/

http://dicedsaladscom.saas.setupwebsitelink.com/Menu/Menus.aspx

Both located in Trader Joe's Shopping center in Cary. Best "fast food" options I have found in that area.

6/6/2016 8:56:19 AM

Ya, I usually just try to think protein + veggies + low/no carbs while avoiding deep fried things.

I don't worry as much about the fat in things like cheese and sour cream as long as it's not excessive amounts of either

[Edited on June 6, 2016 at 9:02 AM. Reason : .]

6/6/2016 9:01:19 AM

I feel you - it seems like everything that's convenient "grab and go" type stuff has bread in some shape or form. A regular sub at Jersey Mikes sets you back 900+ calories.

Some healthy-ish stuff I go to for lunch in a pinch:

Burrito bowl from Chipotle - their website has a thing that lets you "build" your meal and tells you what the totals will be item by item.

Any greek place (Med Grill and Grocery in RTP for the win) - greek salad and kebabs or you can do kebab platter with tabouli/tzatziki/hummus and a little rice. I avoid the bread though. There's also Mediterranean buffets in RTP (baba ganouj) where you can just load up on gyro meat and kebabs and skip all the filler.

Jimmy John's has the "unwich", which is whatever sub you want wrapped in romaine.

Indian food (Curry Point Express in RTP) usually has some pretty lean options

BBQ platter with non-starchy veggies.

Chic Fil A - grilled nugs. Even the fried ones aren't too terrible for you. You get more bang for your buck protein/calorie wise with nuggets than with strips.

Salad places - RTP has Tossed, which is pretty good.

6/6/2016 9:31:56 AM

Here's what I try to hit up:

Bojangles: Roasted chicken bites, green beans, water (comes with biscuit & I'll eat that bitch cause it's good)
Wendy's: Baked potato & chili---just pour the chili on the potato
Chipotle/Moe's: Burrito bowls w/ extra chicken and all the veggies you can handle. I'll usually add cheese, but no sour cream. Throw in the different types of salsa to add the flavor.
Firehouse: they have those less than 500 calorie sandwiches that are pretty good. If you need that side, just get the baked chips.
Chick-fil-A: Grilled chicken sandwich, fruit cup or that new kale salad side. I'll ask for buffalo sauce to spice up the sandwich
McDonalds: I never go here, except for the Egg McMuffin

Places/stuff to never hit up/get:
Most pizza places (especially Pizza Hut), unless you can get thin crust/salad
Sonic
Hardee's
Taco Bell
Burger King
anything fried
French Fries
any soda (diet or regular)
minimize bread/butter intake

6/6/2016 9:32:35 AM

I like what this thread is becoming.

I'd all the way forgotten about how great the local Greek places can be. I used to hit up Charlie's Kebabs all the time for lunch.

6/6/2016 9:51:42 AM

Imagine what you would become aware of if you didn't eat at all for 40 days like Yahweh commanded

6/6/2016 9:53:20 AM

Neomonde/sassool are better than any Greek place I went to when I lived there

That is the #1 place i miss, even more than bbq or bojangles

[Edited on June 6, 2016 at 11:28 AM. Reason : Aaaaaa]

6/6/2016 11:27:50 AM

Bangkok Thai has a respectable lunch set where you can choose from healthy-ish options too.

6/6/2016 1:41:18 PM

I AM ON A CLEANSE

AS IN I JUST AT A BIG BOX FROM TACO BELL WITH AN EXTRA QUESARITO AND THE BOWL IS ABOUT TO NEED CLEANSED

6/7/2016 12:19:27 AM