I want fast food!! :-(

Get it and work it into your calorie goal.

I think I may have had fast food nearly everyday this week.

I used to eat fast food 3-4 times a week so I know what u mean. Its definitely hard at first but after awhile I just didn't crave it anymore. If I want to eat out, I go to a real restaurant and have a good meal for a splurge. I figure its better for me than some processed nasty meat substitute from McDonalds. But if I'm really craving a good burger, I'll make my own. I usually use either ground sirloin or ground turkey, season the meat with some dry ranch mix ( adds great flavor!), with guacamole, onion, tomato, and lettuce on a toasted sandwich thin. Tastes like I'm indulging in a fat-laden bad for u burger but its really filling and half way healthy. To each his own, but that's how it works for me! Good luck on your journey

You don't want fast food. You want fat, salt, and high fructose corn syrup because that's what your body and mind are used to.

I'm going to go against the many posts saying it's ok. It's NOT ok. That's enabling. The only way to get off fast food is to stop eating it. If you're craving those sensations, then follow what another poster said and make it yourself. You can make a burger healthier than what you'll get by going through the drive through. Wrap the burger in lettuce instead of a bun. Experiment but break the habit of thinking "it's ok just this once to have fast food". Your mind wants fast food because you're mind isn't satiated with the food you're eating now. Add a little extra olive oil to your salad, dash a little extra sea salt on your veggies but break the need for fast food.

I think it's dangerous advice to tell someone who's starting out on a road to wellness to work fast food into their daily calorie count. This is more than just calories. It's about bettering one's overall health.

But heck, if that doesn't work, just YouTube "pink slime" or "Jamie Oliver McDonalds" or watch any of the 100 food documentary's on Netflix.

You're right it is soooo dangerous.

eyeroll

Even the two very fit owners of the gym I go to, have a standing Friday evening take-out meal from the chip shop. They don't order huge amounts, and limit this to once a week. I am aiming for one day of cheating as well, still working on it though.

I seemed to have ruffled feathers which was certainly not my intent. I tend to type in a succinct manner and I'm a passionate person. I'm definitely here to be supportive and not combative.

To the OP of the thread: I wanted to present an alternative way of approaching fast food cravings. I feel breaking bad habits is a key component to finding success. I also feel that the mental mind *kitten* many of us have with food is almost as important, if not more, to overcoming why we all ended up on a forum such as this. I stand behind my statement of letting go of fast food in favor of alternative meals to satiate you, However, I will always support you and your goals of becoming healthier. A dissenting opinion isn't always a bad thing. I'm only offering a different option of thought.

In general thought:
Fast food in America has changed from a once in a blue moon treat (winning the little league championship, making the honor roll) to an accepted, or practiced, part of our weekly eating routine. I was guilty of it myself. I think that's where the notion of eliminating fast food is restrictive comes into play because it has become so ingrained into our society. From a caloric/ nutrition aspect I don't see how eliminating fast food is an ounce of restriction. There are thousands of options sitting in our supermarket to choose from.

I fully admit my mindset and changes in diet come from being diagnosed as a T2 diabetic. I realize not everyone on MFP falls into that category. However, I have yet to meet a cardiologist, endocrinologist, or registered dietitian who endorses supplementing a diet of fast food into their weekly goals of eating.

Why not? I've eaten fast food twice this week and I still lost weight.
Just check the calories before you order. Fast food is high in calories, but if you've eaten light prior there's no reason not to go.
Eating healthy isn't necessary to lose weight. And if you're simply focused on being healthy then indulging once in a while instead of going cold turkey, especially in the initial phase, will help.

No feathers are ruffled here.

Restriction comes in many forms, saying you can't eat this, don't do this, don't eat after 7pm on a full moon because it all turns to fat or whatever other stupid rule there is. If you keep this simple and sustainable to you then you have a better chance at success.

This.

How in the world are you people 'full' after eating a kid's meal? I don't even... I'd eat a regular meal and be starving two hours later...

You don't want fast food. You want fat, salt, and high fructose corn syrup because that's what your body and mind are used to.

I'm going to go against the many posts saying it's ok. It's NOT ok. That's enabling. The only way to get off fast food is to stop eating it. If you're craving those sensations, then follow what another poster said and make it yourself. You can make a burger healthier than what you'll get by going through the drive through. Wrap the burger in lettuce instead of a bun. Experiment but break the habit of thinking "it's ok just this once to have fast food". Your mind wants fast food because you're mind isn't satiated with the food you're eating now. Add a little extra olive oil to your salad, dash a little extra sea salt on your veggies but break the need for fast food.

I think it's dangerous advice to tell someone who's starting out on a road to wellness to work fast food into their daily calorie count. This is more than just calories. It's about bettering one's overall health.

But heck, if that doesn't work, just YouTube "pink slime" or "Jamie Oliver McDonalds" or watch any of the 100 food documentary's on Netflix.

:yawn:

Yeeeeah, I got my body eating plenty of fast food, and I've never had more energy or been stronger in my life. I don't think this poster know what he's talking about. It IS ok. As long as you know when to stop and don't make it an excessive habit, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Eat 80% healthy, and 20% whatever you want. It's worked for me, and countless other people here. Just look up the IIFYMs group.

OP. practice moderation and the occasional treat, make it fit your goals like I said above, and enjoy.