Just Eat It

We all know that fast food is terrible for us. Processed foods are full of chemicals and additives and wreak havoc on our bodies. All the latest "whole food" diet-y books are telling us that in order to be healthy, we must eliminate these foods from our diet and stick to whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Well, I'm sure that's fine for people like Oprah, who can afford to have a personal chef create healthy and tasty meals for them. But people, I work full-time. And the last thing I want to do after a long day at work is come home and stand over the stove, attempting to create a healthy meal that usually ends up tasting like cardboard. Sometimes, fast food is just easier. I admit it. I eat fast food on occasion. I'm not proud of it, but that's reality. And I know I'm not alone. That's why I liked David Zinczenko's book Eat This, Not That! Zinczenko recognizes that people eat fast food. He's not telling you don't eat it, but he is making suggestions on how to make that fast food meal a bit healthier. The book provides calorie, fat, sodium and/or sugar counts for foods at many popular fast food chains, and lists the healthiest items on the menu (although still not very healthy). For instance, one might think that the grilled chicken club at McDonald's would be a healthy choice. Not so. The quarter pounder without cheese is actually a better choice. And the delicious broccoli cheddar soup at Panera-not a great choice. The book also provides a "menu decoder" which explains what various menu items really mean. For example, Lo mein means wok-fried noodles that uses a lot of oil and fatty pork or beef. And home fries on the breakfast menu is just another version of french fries. He also provides suggestions on making holiday meals healthier. Instead of pecan pie at Thanksgiving, go with the pumpkin pie. Sadly, Peeps made the Not That! list for Easter. Lots of great tips, and a real eye-opener, this book is worth a look.

P.S. Don't read this book when you are hungry.