Fast Food & Coupons

So, my husband and I are on a budget kick right now. We started using the Dave Ramsey cash envelope system instead of debit cards. It’s actually been really fun. I like the new system because when I don’t spend the entire budgeted amount for things I get to spend it however I want! I doubt that’s what Dave Ramsey says to do with the extra, but that’s what we’re doing.  

I’m changing the way I use this system soon! I have been using an ugly mini file accordion, but now for much longer! I just ordered this awesome/pretty wallet on Etsy. It will help me to organize my cash system in a way that will look more attractive. I have a compartment for each of the things that I need money for when I’m out and about (groceries, gas, fast food, prescriptions, church offering, and COUPONS. Lol, no, that’s not the most exciting thing on that list. I’ve emphasized it because that’s the part of this whole system that I wanted to focus in on in this post.

*The calorie counts pictured take the exclusion of mayo, ketchup, and cheese into account.

 

I showed my husband how I’ve started writing on and organizing my coupon collection the other day and he suggested that I blog about it. It’s really hard sometimes to eat fast food on a diet and it’s even more complicated when you add coupons into the mix. In order to avoid unintended splurges, I’ve started writing the calorie counts of the items on my coupons. This helps me to make quick and informed decisions. I add an extra level of speed to the process by clipping each restaurant’s coupons together with a mini binder clip. I would never go through them if they were all mixed together.

Fast food buying guide:

(Fast food is not recommended, but it happens)

• Don’t drink diet drinks!!! Sugar substitutes drive me crazy with sugar/snack cravings for the rest of the day. I’ve started having unsweetened ice tea with my meals and I’m really loving that.
• Avoid anything fried. Examples could include fries or breaded chicken.
• Grilled chicken sandwiches are a great option.
• Jr. Burgers tend to have lower calories. For instance, the whopper jr. without mayo, ketchup, and cheese is only 250 calories. That’s really low for a burger and it comes with vegetables. Not a ton or anything, but some.
• Always ask them to not put any mayo, ketchup, or cheese on your sandwich/burger
• Beware of salads! Salads often have more calories than more obviously fattening things. Ask to have items like bacon, fried toppings, and cheese removed. As a general rule, clear dressings tend to have a lower calorie counts than creamy opaque dressings like ranch do. Italian or fat free dressings tend to be good options. There may be some options that are high in fat like nuts or avocado. These are great in moderation because they contain good fats.
• Avoid sugary items.

This list may seem too obvious or common sense for some, but I find that a lot of good dieting advice is. It may just be a sign of trouble when diets have guidelines that are too complicated. Many people get confused by all the crazy fads and the rules that they come with. Others are like I was and are confused by the difference between healthy and low calorie. I would look at thin people who ate really terrible food and be completely confused. Now I realize that I was eating awesome foods, but just not in the right proportions. I have actually let things slip since I’ve started my weight loss journey. It’s just too liberating to be able to eat all the things that I was depriving myself of before! Ice cream is great and I want to eat it! This is why I just count calories now. I’ll get over my food liberation eventually and put the Cheese-Its down, but for now… enjoy these fast food tips!

 

Remember folks, I’m not a nutritionist or informed by anything other than online research, word of mouth, and what works for me.