In today's fast paced world, well over 50% of Americans eat out for at least one meal a day. For most of us that is often a quick stop at a fast food restaurant. The majority of the choices at many fast food restaurants leave us wondering how we can merge a busy lifestyle and a healthy diet. With a little extra information on your side picking a healthy low-fat meal is possible and fairly easy.

Tips to eating healthy at fast food restaurants:
• Look over our Fast Food Facts for the restaurants that you eat at most often, and note the items that are low in fat and calories. With just a little looking you'll be amazed how many items fit into a healthy diet.

•Look at the fat and calorie values for the sauces and/or mayonnaise that is used on your favorite fast food items. Often just getting the item without the sauce will drastically reduce the fat and calorie content.

•When ordering a salad, be sure to check the fat and calorie content of the dressing. Often times it is one of the worst items on the menu. Always ask if a low-fat alternative is available. I also keep a bottle of my favorite healthy dressing in the fridge at work to use on fast food salads.

•Skip a shake and/or fries and you will save yourself hundreds of calories and countless grams of fat. Some restaurants are now serving fruit smoothies that are a good alternative to fattening shakes.