The Fast Food Diet

                                               

            Fast food, the word its self brings to mind: salty, sizzling hot, crispy French fries. The fast food industry and I have a long history. As child, I had two parents that were employed by McDonalds. I would often inundate my parents with requests for “Chicken nuggets” (I didn't really fancy their burgers much, except their chicken sandwiches). As a family we would mostly indulge in fast food meals during the weekends. After roaming the hallways of the mall, it became customary to have either breakfast, lunch or dinner at fast food place. Our family favorites include “El Pollo Loco” and “Carl's Jr's.” We would usually gather around a family meal which was composed by ten pieces of citrus marinated grilled chicken, Spanish rice and pinto beans. Our plate also included a small bundle of warm corn tortillas and fresh “Pico de gallo” (salsa). At Carl's Jr's each person in my family had different pick. Personally I would order the chill cheese fries or a Guacamole turkey burger or their chicken tenders with ranch dipping sauce. I really enjoyed these times with my family, while enjoying our meals we would have conversations about our week and often crack jokes share many laughs.

 

                  Currently my fast food habits have shifted a bit. After visiting my doctor, I was banned from all dairy products, spicy, sweet and sour foods. So when ordering from the menu, I take into consideration my new dietary restrictions. After having my weight yo-yo up and down the scale last year, due to stress and the holidays, I decided to really watch my caloric in-take. I can't promise to completely ban fast food from my life, but perhaps only eat half of my portions. I don't really rely on fast food; I try to pack my own lunch to school. The allure of a great bargain may prove effective on me, with the prices of groceries spiking up from previous years it sometimes hard to resist. For me, a home cook meal is far more appetizing than a “Big Mac.” I guess it has to do with knowing what is in your food and taking part in cooking and preparing it. I like to think about my as self – proclaimed “wanna - be foodie”.I Often having my mother and aunt have a fit for dirtying a whole sink with pots, pans, spoons, measuring cups . One thing is for sure, I enjoy cooking and trying new foods from different cultures. Perhaps this year I may want to introduce new flavors and embrace a rather healthier diet. I know the struggles of trying to lose weight, there's no easy way to do it. It's childish to think that one can take a couple of pills and wake up looking like super model. Losing weight shouldn’t be exclusively for vanity reasons ( althought most women think this way), but it should also be with the intent of bettering your overall health.