A reader asked, where should we go and what should we order when we simply must do drive through. If your kids are anything like mine, the minute they hit the car seat, something inside explodes and the realize they are absolutely STARVING and cannot go another minute without food. What do you do? What healthy choices can you make?

Should you go to McDonald’s for the chicken nuggets? Or Burger King for the hamburger? What about Subway or Pizza Hut?
Sure the yogurt parfait would be better at McDonalds (though full of sugar) and the subs at subway are a good choice (if you don’t mind nitrates), you could get a side of black beans at Taco Bell (boring) or you could view the full top twenty healthiest foods from Daily Beast which touts the fresco grilled steak taco from Taco Bell, the McDonald’s hamburger and pizzas from Pizza Hut as well as the Jr. Roast Beef Sandwich at Arby’s.

However, these lists only take into consideration calories and protein and sodium levels.  What they don’t look at is the toxic ingredients of the foods themselves.

It happens that the entire scout troop is going to stop at McDonald’s on that trip to New York City.  Don’t scar your kid for life by saying he can only order the plain burger, let him be a normal kid and order a Happy Meal and get it over with.  However, make this a very rare treat. Instead change your thinking, be prepared and think alternatives on the run.

Top four tips for eating healthy on the go

• Keep water bottles (bpa free) in the car – keep them in the trunk and stuff the pockets of the seats in front of the kids with water and a few non-perishable goodies like baggies of nuts.

• Use the storage area between the front seats as your personal pantry.  In your pantry keep special goodies like nuts in baggies, granola bars and quick healthy to-go snacks.
• Think of the local grocery store as your fast food restaurant.  Instead of heading to McDonald’s look for a grocery store and let them choose their snacks organic apples, carrots or even granola bars from the healthy snack section.

• Before you head out, know they are going to be hungry so make that yogurt smoothie, or grab fruit (my favorite is bananas) on your way out of the house.