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(NAPSI)-Before the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, more than 50
million Americans will make a resolution to shape up and eat right in the
coming year. For die-hard dieters, this perennial urge to purge pounds
usually means replacing favorites like pizza and burgers with celery sticks
and rice cakes. But today, health experts are saying that moderation, not
deprivation, is the key to weight-loss success.
With more restaurants adding lighter fare to their menus, watching your
weight doesn't mean you can't join your family and friends for dinner at
your favorite eatery. And these days, even fast food can be on the menu for
weight-conscious consumers.
"Despite its reputation, fast food can be a part of a sensible, balanced
diet," said Dave Allen, a nutritionist with Jack in the Box restaurants.
"Consumers just need to educate themselves about how to select the most
nutritious menu items when eating out."
Allen sites the new line of salads at Jack in the Box as an example of
products ideal for individuals looking to pack some nutrition punch into
their fast-food lunch.
"Our new entree-size salads not only offer consumers four to five
servings of vegetables per salad, but because the dressing and additional
toppings are served on the side, guests can customize their salad to their
taste and appetite. If calories are a concern, using just a small amount of
dressing, or a low-fat version, and omitting nuts and croutons can help keep
your meal light."
If salads sound too much like "diet" food, Allen suggests the following
tips to keep your taste buds and waistline happy the next time you dine out:
- Say no to mayo. Omitting mayonnaise can skim 100 or more calories and
12 fat grams off your favorite sandwich.
- Hold the cheese. Leaving the cheese off a hamburger can save 90
calories and eight grams of fat.
- Think red. Ask for extra tomatoes on your hamburger for a nutritional
boost.
- Choose a diet soda, or better yet, water to accompany your meal.
- Go for the cluck. Grilled chicken sandwiches are usually lower in fat
and calories than burgers.
- Bigger isn't necessarily better, so keep an eye on portion sizes.
- Surf the web. Most restaurants provide a nutritional breakdown of their
menu items on their websites.
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