2015 Advent Calendar – Day 5

Apparently time flies… even when you’re not having fun!
               It seems that we are constantly in a rush;  during the week, we dream of the weekend thinking that we will have more time… and then we blink and it’s Sunday night again and we’re getting ready to go back to work.  First thought is: where did the time go!!!

One of the first things to suffer, when we are short on time, is food.  I don’t need to commission a study on this, all I have to do is look at the drive through lanes during morning and evening rush hour!
Although we had a great post on Thursday about what to do at the food court, I wanted to drill a bit further into the subject because this is part of the “lifestyle changes” that everyone talks about when they are discussing lasting or sustainable weight loss.

Today then, I will give you a few more ideas for restaurant fast foods as well as one for home made fast food… meaning that you can make this quick and easy same as if you were simply driving through at the golden arches!

This is going to surprise you!!!
Most of us look on a menu for options that will fall into the guidelines of our diet program or protocol especially at a fast food joint and if nothing fits we either choose another place, refrain from eating or throw caution to the wind and cheat.
Very few of us would ever think of doing what I’m about to suggest… Asking  for no bun around the burger!  When I did the research for today’s email I came accross the idea and was totally surprised by it’s simplicity!  Like most cities, Ottawa doesn’t lack burger joints.  What you need to keep your eyes on is the carbs of course, especially the hidden carbs (i.e. in the condiments).  Ketchup is loaded with sugar so tell them you don’t want any!
I also learned today of something called an
Un-wich!  What is it?  It’s a sandwich without the bread!  Be it a burger or a wrap, the bread has been replaced with lettuce!  I love it!  There are restaurants in the U.S. that already have it on the menu, none in Canada that I know of for now but between us, we can already start using the term as a way to remind ourselves that if we don’t ask, we won’t get!  Next time you are at a Wendy’s, you can ask for a chicken burger in a lettuce wrap or simply in a bowl.  They will actually serve it to you that way!
Here are a few more ideas:
Five Guys Burgers & Fries – There are two in Ottawa (Burger – Lettuce wrap or in a bowl)
McDonald’s & Burger King – (Breakfast sandwich without the English muffin)
 
Subway – (Chopped salad or bunless breakfast sandwich) 
 
Wendy’s – (Bunless burger or grilled chicken Sandwich – or “un-wich”)
I saved the best for last…
Panera Breads – One in Ottawa located on Hunt Club close to Merivale
I learned through my research that they have a hidden menu!  They have amazing items on that hidden menu that are perfect for the Ideal Protein diet.   Here is what I found: “For a breakfast meal, ask for the Power Breakfast Egg Bowl with Steak at 3g net carbs or the Power Breakfast Egg White Bowl with Roasted Turkey at 4g net carbs. For lunch or dinner, order the Power Mediterranean Chicken at 7g net carbs, the Power Mediterranean Roasted Turkey Bowl at 7g net carbs, or the Power Steak Lettuce Wraps at 6g net carbs.”  Ref
I was so excited that I called the restaurant to confirm that they truly do have a hidden “Power” menu (just in case it’s only in the U.S.).  Elliott the manager was more than happy to confirm.  The only thing they don’t currently have is the last item – Power Steak Lettuce

Wrap… everything else is there. Elliott was very nice so if you go there and see him, please tell him that Food-Wise sent you! Who would have thought that a place called Panera Breads would be happy to forgo their namesake!

         

For those times when we are too rushed to even go through a drive-thru…
This is one of my best tricks… Veggie Omelet!  I can literally whip up an omelet with spinach & mushroom in less time than it takes to get in the car and go the 2½ kms to the nearest fast-food! All it takes is eggs and whatever vegetable you have in the fridge.   You might even consider keeping canned vegetables for this type of emergency.  I personally don’t much care for canned asparagus and mushrooms but in an omelet, who’s going to know?
              This looks a lot like the face we make when we embark on a restrictive diet… but it doesn’t have to be this way!
Remember that all you learn while you’re on the diet is going to serve you for years to come.  If you don’t learn it now, there will come a time very soon when you wish you had paid attention!
Every Saturday until Christmas, we will give you tips on fast foods at home or at a restaurant.  Knowing that time isn’t always on our side, this will be useful “time and again”!

Lise and all the coaching staff at Food-Wise!

xox
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