Tip of the Week: Fast-Food Hybrid Meals*

When you need to come up with a quick and easy meal but would rather not resort to fast food, consider a compromise.   Once in a while a combination of take-out food and items you have on hand at home turns a usually not-so-healthy choice into an acceptable option.  For example, let’s say one of the nearby fast foods is having a promotion on grilled fish or chicken sandwiches.  At home you could be baking frozen French fries or Tater Tots in the oven and steaming a frozen vegetable while someone else runs to pick up the hot sandwiches.  Dinner is on the table in no time, and by taking advantage of a relatively healthy take-out choice as a main course and adding your own sides at home, you can have a quick, economical dinner at home as a family and get on with evening activities.  

*Originally distributed April 2014