(HealthDayNews) -- Americans are increasingly eating on the run. Students, teachers, office workers and others chug down heavy-duty carbohydrates as they rush out the door in the morning.
A similar process is repeated at lunch time, except the foods of choice now tend to be fatty, greasy, sauce-enhanced and sugary. And too many people do the same thing at dinnertime, or between meals.
The Weight Control Information Network (WIN) suggests these healthier alternatives:
- Focus on fruits in the morning. Many are easy to eat on the run, and most
offer enough sugar for the energy you need without the fat and extra calories you don't need.
- Choose a salad or a grilled (not fried) chicken sandwich rather than a burger at fast-food restaurants. And skip the fries -- or split an order with a friend.
- Avoid thick, creamy sauces. You'll live healthier without them.
- Take ready-made, low-fat snacks with you to work. Better yet, take no-fat snacks -- any kind of veggies, including carrots (but not too many, since theyre high in sugar), celery, radishes, collard or kale greens, broccoli and green beans. These and other vegetables are actually healthier if they aren't cooked.
- Graham crackers, pretzels, raisins and nuts also make good on-the-go foods -- though you should go easy on the nuts and raisins since they are high in calories.
The best advice is to balance your meals throughout the day. If you have a high-fat or high-calorie breakfast or lunch, make sure you eat a low-fat dinner.
