Choices...

ldrosophila
ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Just out of my curiosity because a similar post is floating around...

You've been shopping all day, you are starving, your feet hurt, the kids are cranky and tired and you walk by the food court to get everyone some lunch and relax for a bit.

Now you have to make a choice...

Do you choose the food stand where you can get whole food I mean we are talking about sandwiches loaded with protein, antioxidant rich vegetables, a mouth watering vinagrette. It provides 40grams of protein, your whole day's worth of fiber along with 50% of your RDA for Calicium, iron, and folate. You know this will fill you up till dinner, and mostly likely you wont be able to finish it. However, it is 800 calories and half or more than your daily requirement and you cant get a side dish or anything else. Still new to this and portion control and looking at micros is not so much the focus but will be in the future.

OR...

Do you choose the hamburger stand now the advantage of the hamburger stand besides they taste really good and the kids love it is that the hamburgers are loaded with protein, and if you get the chicken salad you can get a nice low fat dressing. This whole meal will only come to about 400 calories. Now this meal will probably fill you up, but you know its loaded with salt has twice the amount of saturated fat as the who food and its almost garunteed that you will be hungry in an hour or so. Still new to this but know that now it will be easier to plan dinner to fit into your allotment and you will have more choices later on.

Whats your choice? (personally I would have chosen the sandwich because I'm a sucker for feta)

Replies

  • NRSPAM
    NRSPAM Posts: 961 Member
    I think that if the whole food was healthy, it ought to be less calories. If it's really that many, than it's probably not as healthy as you think, or the portions are blown way off. If I'm feeling strong, I would go for the healthy food and maybe cut the portion in half. If I really have a taste for the cheeseburger...I'm going for it! Lol. Plus, even though the kids may really like it, I love the feeling of teaching my kids to eat healthier. I was sitting with my 1yo today, and we were eating celery sticks n some dressing for dip. I loved how he loved the healthy food he was eating. :D Made me feel like a good Mom, atleast for a few minutes.
  • Topher1978
    Topher1978 Posts: 975 Member
    Do the healthier food, and if it is more calories than you want, ask them to cut it in half. Save half for tomorrow, or throw it out. Or, eat the burger. I would go with the healthier food as it is healthier. I am here for weight loss and health. I am cutting more and more bad foods out. I already eat healthy stuff a lot. Have for most of my life. But I like to eat non-healthy stuff as well. I now choose the healthy choice 8 tomes out of 10.
  • papio11
    papio11 Posts: 3
    Those are your only two choices? Isn't there a compromise here, something healthy but smaller portion and fewer calories? I like to eat often, so smaller is better for me. And it's always enough to satisfy my appetite at the moment.

    If these were the ONLY two choices I would go with #1 and take half home for later....
  • 55sc
    55sc Posts: 46 Member
    At 800 calories for a sandwich, I think there are some high calorie things in it. I'd choose it, and lighten it up. Removing the cheese, and perhaps the dressing may bring it into a reasonable range. If you could substitute salsa for the dressing, you would cut down on the calories.

    There may be other high calorie toppings on it, like avocado or a cheese spread that can be left off to reduce the calories.

    The 400 calorie meal is not a bargain if you have an unhealthy snack an hour later because you are hungry.
  • lil_pulp
    lil_pulp Posts: 701 Member
    When I'm counting calories (or WW points), I would go with the hamburger. But when I'm eating mindfully but not counting anything, I'd go for the sandwich, making sure to eat slowly and stop as soon as I'm satiated.
  • Firefox7275
    Firefox7275 Posts: 2,040 Member
    I wouldn't take kids shopping unless essential (school uniform), wouldn't introduce them to fast food until absolutely necessary, would give then the healthy option because it's a regular day and a regular meal so you eat regular food and because I wouldn't want to deal with their mood swings the rest of the day or health problems the rest of their childhood. I was raised on real food much of which was homegrown and homecooked, didn't get sick (not so much as a cavity or broken bone) until I'd long been living a very unhealthy lifestyle away from home.

    I don't personally think mass produced hamburgers do taste really good, the 'bread' and 'cheese' are both truly disgusting sugary plastic stuff. If it was a proper homemade style hamburger on decent quality bun with real crisp salad, sauces and real cheese that might be a different matter!
  • footiechick82
    footiechick82 Posts: 1,203 Member
    Sammich - I don't eat beef :P

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  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    That sandwich sounds far tastier than the burger... Who cares if its 800 calories if it will keep you full most of the day? Just have a snack later on instead of dinner and you'll probably be fine. If you eat the 400 calorie burger it will be unsatisfying and you'll be eating again in 2 hours when your blood sugar crashes.
  • CherokeeBabe
    CherokeeBabe Posts: 1,704 Member
    Healthy Sandwich. If you're gonna be hungry an hour later you'll just eat again anyway soon after, something else which will also have calories, which would make the cal-intake be around the same by dinnertime in the long run. Might as well fill up with something better for you and be done with it.
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    Definitely the sandwich. It would fit fine for me anyway, and I would just have a lighter dinner if necessary, or only have half the bread.
  • RobynMWilson
    RobynMWilson Posts: 1,540 Member
    If the sandwich has lunchmeat it can't be that good for you.

    If I'm in a mall Food Court I'm going to Chik Fil A and calling it a cheat meal!
  • Topher1978
    Topher1978 Posts: 975 Member
    I wouldn't take kids shopping unless essential (school uniform), wouldn't introduce them to fast food until absolutely necessary, would give then the healthy option because it's a regular day and a regular meal so you eat regular food and because I wouldn't want to deal with their mood swings the rest of the day or health problems the rest of their childhood. I was raised on real food much of which was homegrown and homecooked, didn't get sick (not so much as a cavity or broken bone) until I'd long been living a very unhealthy lifestyle away from home.

    I don't personally think mass produced hamburgers do taste really good, the 'bread' and 'cheese' are both truly disgusting sugary plastic stuff. If it was a proper homemade style hamburger on decent quality bun with real crisp salad, sauces and real cheese that might be a different matter!
    I love homemade burgers! I always make them with small diced onions and minced garlic, oats, and eggs. I cook them mid-rare... Extrra sharp cheddar and romain lettuce and tomatos with quality mustard! Yumm!!! Been a long time!

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