Many of us try to eat healthy, but we occasionally are so busy that we can't help but stop by McDonald's, Wendy's or dozens of the other fast-food restaurants.

But you can squeeze fast-food offerings into your weight management plans as long as you keep in mind these keys: moderation, "occasional stops," and wise choices.

Now, more than ever, fast-food restaurants are offering a wide variety of healthy options, from fruit cups to granola. Some restaurants, such as Wendy's, are allowing you to substitute more nutritious side dishes in lieu of fries in their combo meals.

Here are six ways you can get healthier meals in a fast-food restaurant:

•  Keep portion sizes small. "Portion control" is one of the foundations of weight management. In a fast-food restaurant, pick the smallest sandwich or order a half-sandwich. Don't order double- or even triple-decker burgers, which can pack more than 1,000 calories and as much as 70 grams of fat. Aim for 250- to 300-calorie regular or children's-sized burgers.

•  Choose a healthier side dish. Skip the jumbo fries in favor of smaller fries and spare your waistline 300 calories. Better yet: in this age of healthy eating, fast-food restaurants are offering healthier options, such as salads, low-fat dressing, baked potatoes, fruit bowls, yogurt, and baked chips, just to name a few.

•  Go for the greens, like a large salad as your main course, complete with grilled chicken, shrimp or garden vegetables with fat-free or low-fat dressing. Regular salad dressing can bring you more than 300 calories. Skip such high-fat dangers as deep-fried shells, breaded chicken, any other fried topping, cheese, bacon bits, croutons and fried chips.

•  Go for the grilled food. Crispy chicken sandwiches and breaded fish fillets are high in fat and calories, but grilled or roasted lean turkey, chicken, ham or roast beef won't murder your weight management plan.

•  Ask for healthier reduced-fat mayo, mustard and salsa instead of shredded cheese and cheese sauce. Condiments like special dressings, tarter sauce and sour cream will ruin your weight management with plenty of unneeded calories.

•  Watch what you drink. That 32-ounce soda contains about 400 calories, but healthier options include diet soda, water, unsweetened tea and bottled water. Of course, 1,000-calorie shakes and other drinks made from ice cream are out the drive-in window if you're trying to manage your weight.

Source: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Nubella News, a division of Marketing Technology Solutions, Inc., offers content intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We encourage our readers to seek prompt medical care for health issues and consult their physicians before starting a new diet, fitness regimen, or medical treatment.