If you must go through a drive-thru, get something small just to tide you over.

Eating fast food is terrible for your body and health. However, sometimes while out there are few other options... :(

11 Best Fast Food Post-Workout Snacks Under 200 Calories.

Some protein bars can be more like candy bars, providing sugar and fillers rather than actual healthy nutrition. While a fast food restaurant may not be the best choice for a quick bite after your workout, these options are good. They provide protein, carbohydrates and, most of all, satisfaction for fewer calories than a Snickers bar.

Best in-hand option
No time to use utensils? A Starbucks latte gives you a dose of protein and carbohydrates to refuel.

Starbucks
Skim Latte (Grande)
130 calories
19 grams carbohydrates
13 grams of protein


Best breakfast option
If you work out in the morning, this wrap will get much-needed protein to your muscles.

Dunkin' Donuts
Egg White and Cheese Wake-Up Wrap
150 calories
13 grams carbohydrates
8 grams protein


Best open 'till 2 a.m. option
For the night owl, Taco Bell has a Fresco menu that offers a few low-cal options that pack a good amount of protein.

Taco Bell
Fresco Crunchy Taco
150 calories
13 carbohydrates
7 grams of protein


Best drive-thru hand held
Wipe the sweat from your brow and cool off with this chocolately boost of protein and moderate amount of carbs. Men's Health swears by the muscle building power of chocolate milk.

Burger King
1% Chocolate Low-Fat Milk
190 calories
31 grams carbohydrates
9 grams protein
See other options at Burger King.


Best high protein option
Even though this isn't under 200 calories it's very close. And it has a commendable amount of protein and slow-acting good carbs in the form of beans.

Wendy's
Small Chili
220 calories
22 grams carbohydrates
18 grams of protein


Best filling sandwich option for early risers
This sandwich will keep you filled up through to lunch. You can even add some veggie toppings for some more vitamins.

Subway
Black Forest Ham, Egg and Cheese English Muffin
180 calories
18 grams of carbohydrates
15 grams of protein


Best sides as a snack option, plus a high-protein treat
These side dishes are perfect post-workout snacks, combining good carbs and an excellent amount of protein with low-calories.

KFC
Red Beans With Sausage and Rice
160 calories
26 grams of carbohydrates
24 grams of protein

Macaroni and cheese
180 Calories
20 grams carbohydrates
6 grams protein

2 grilled chicken drumsticks
160 calories
0 carbohydrates
20 grams of protein


Best protein splurge option
Remember your childhood with these crispy little bites. While this a higher fat option, this little treat has a good amount of protein for satiety.

McDonald's
4 piece Chicken McNuggets
190 calories
11 grams carbohydrates
10 grams protein


Best sweet treat option
For when you need a sweet fix. Plus, who doesn't get great joy out of eating one of these!

Carvel
Low-Fat Vanilla Flying Saucer
190 calories
35 grams of carbohydrates
4 grams of protein

Source: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/11-best-fast-food-post-workout-snacks-under-200-calories-2402237/

Paying with Cash Curbs Junk Food Spending

If you’re trying to make better food choices at the grocery store, you may want to try leaving the plastic at home and paying with cash. A new study from researchers at Cornell and SUNY reports that people buy less junk food when they pay with cash, as handing over bills is "psychologically more painful" than paying with credit.

Shopping carts were filled with more junk food and impulse purchases when shoppers used credit or debit cards. In contrast, paying with cash was linked to fewer unhealthy food items in the cart.

The researchers followed 1,000 families as they shopped for food over a period of six months. They tracked what the participants added to their carts and the methods they used to pay for their groceries. The results showed that shopping carts were filled with more junk food and impulse purchases when shoppers used credit or debit cards to pay for the purchases. In contrast, paying with cash was linked to fewer unhealthy food items in the cart.

Why is this? The authors’ follow-up study showed that "cash payments are psychologically more painful than card payments, and this pain of payment can curb the impulsive responses to buy unhealthy food items." And people who have paid with cash customarily over a long period of time are apparently more sensitive to this "vice-regulation" effect. The authors write that in contrast to cash payments, "credit card payments... are relatively painless and weaken impulse control." In other words, if you don’t actually see the money changing hands as (one does not when credit or debit cards are used), you’re more likely to spend on unnecessary items, including junk food.

Is there a relationship between the rise in credit card spending and America’s expanding waistline? The authors suggest that there is a link, pointing out that 40% of grocery purchases are paid for with credit or debit cards these days. They write that "the epidemic increase in obesity suggests that regulating impulsive purchases and consumption of unhealthy food products is a steep challenge for many consumers". Being aware of the credit-junk food phenomenon may help people make better choices at the grocery store. It can’t hurt to try leaving the cards at home and making a quick trip to the ATM before embarking on a grocery shopping excursion.

The study was published in the October 6, 2010 issue of the Journal of Consumer Research. Source: http://www.thedoctorwillseeyounow.com/content/dieting/art3111.html