Can Fast Food Fit Into Diet Plan?

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -- With so many diet plans these days -- low-fat, low-carb, no-salt -- and so many people on them, restaurants are trying to come up with ways to let you eat out and stay on your diet.

McDonald's is bending over backwards with salads and yogurt -- they're even test-marketing a healthier Happy Meal for kids. And Burger King has a bunless Whopper. There are many more options for consumers, but it's still up to the individual to order the salad instead of the fried chicken.

"I was warm. (The salad) looks refreshing. It's healthy, and I didn't need fried chicken. But I would have loved to have it," said diner Betsy Eilers. "It smelled so good!"

But Eilers took the salad and used very little dressing, all part of her plan to eat healthier. Across the dining room, Ilean Duprey had her own fast-food philosophy.

"I get a cup of chili, a baked potato cut in half, (and) eat half chili, half potato. (Add) a salad and I'm good to go," Duprey said. "Another thing to watch is portions. They can be tremendous. And if you sit down and eat the whole thing, it will defeat everything you try to do."

That kind of talk is music to the ears of Susannah LeVon, a nutritionist at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Medical Center in Plattsburgh, N.Y. She knows being a diligent dieter is tough when you're eating on the run.

"You know that old saying, you are what you eat? Well, I have a friend who says, 'If that's the case, then I'm fast, cheap and easy,'" LeVon said.

Kidding aside, LeVon said that's the path many Americans follow. But with a little planning, she said you can still get a quick, healthy meal. For example, Subway posts a nutrition guide for their menu. Atkins dieter Wayne Lozier said that's a big help.

"It's just watching what you eat and how much you eat, really," Lozier said. "There are three servings here. A lot of people say, 'OK, this is my bag.' Then multiply the calories, carbs and fat by three."

Instead, LeVon said to pile on the peppers, lettuce and tomatoes, and leave off the mayonnaise, cheese and that sneaky salt.

"You can make alterations to any foods available to make them fit your needs, and that would lower the fat and calories," LeVon said.

Wendy's suggests dieters go online to their Web site to read nutritional information before getting in line for food.

Duprey said it's nice to have some healthy choices when she goes out to eat.

"Myself, I'm eating smaller meals, more protein but still the carbs. (I'm) not going on any crazy diet. (I'm) trying to get something I can live with the rest of my life," Duprey said.