Let’s Be Honest—Fast Food Works

You already know what you’re supposed to do. Eat more home-cooked meals. Stop relying on takeout. Cook from scratch. Blah blah blah.

And yet—here we are.

You’re busy. You’re exhausted. And fast food, convenient, processed meals, and easy-prep options? They serve a purpose.

In Part 1 of this series (Why Convenience Food Works & Why You Keep Coming Back to It), we broke down why fast food isn’t just about food—it’s about meeting real, legitimate needs:

Time: No prep, no dishes, no effort—just grab and go.
Mental Energy: No planning, no decision fatigue, no figuring out what’s for dinner.
Predictability: You know exactly what you’re getting—no surprises, no complaints from the kids.
Comfort & Stress Relief: Familiar foods = an instant dopamine boost.
Affordability (or at least the illusion of it): Feels cheaper than making a whole meal from scratch.

So, before we move forward, let’s acknowledge a hard truth:

If fast food didn’t work for us, we wouldn’t keep eating it.

That’s why this conversation matters. Because telling you to “just stop eating fast food” is lazy advice.

Instead, let’s ask a better question:

How Do We Keep the Benefits—But Make It Better?

So instead of trying to force home-cooked meals when life is already chaotic, let’s talk about how to maintain the benefits of fast food—but shift the routine over time.

Because here’s the thing—the needs that fast food meets are real needs.

And depriving ourselves of those needs (time, ease, comfort, predictability) isn’t a long-term solution.

Let’s keep the convenience, keep the ease—but upgrade the quality and shift the routine.

And no, this doesn’t mean replacing burgers with kale salads. (Unless you actually like kale. Then, by all means, go for it.)

It just means we’re going to make small, strategic shifts—so the food you’re eating still fits your life, but works for you, not against you.

Let’s dive in.

Step 1: Keep It Fast—But Choose Smarter Options

Let’s be honest: You’re not always going to meal-prep organic Buddha bowls every Sunday. And you don’t need to.

Instead of fighting against your need for convenience, let’s make fast food work in your favor:

If You’re Hitting a Drive-Thru…
Because traffic is crazy, the kids are screaming, you don’t want to cook, and someone just threw a snotty tissue at you from the back seat…

• Pick protein over just carbs. (Grilled over fried, a burger without the extra bun, a protein-rich salad, etc.)
• Swap soda for water or unsweetened tea. (You can still get your caffeine fix—just skip the sugar overload.)
• Look at the sides. If fries are non-negotiable (I get it), can you add a side salad or fruit cup (especially for the kids)?

If You’re Grabbing a Frozen Pizza or Packaged Family Meal…
Because you forgot to defrost anything, it’s too late to run to the grocery store, and prep just isn’t going to happen…

• Check the ingredients list—not just the calories. Shorter list = usually better.
• Look for fiber & protein. The more of these, the more filling and blood sugar-friendly it’ll be.
• Pair it with something fresh. Adding one whole-food element (like fresh fruit, nuts, or a side of veggies) makes a big difference. Note: frozen veggies (no sauce) and fruits totally work here!

If You’re Ordering Takeout…
Because somedays it’s just plain nice to have someone else do all the work for a change.

• Can you add a veggie? (Throw some greens on that pizza. Ask for extra veggies in your stir-fry.)
• Can you skip the automatic extras? (Do you need the second order of breadsticks? Maybe. Maybe not.)
• Can you mix it up? (Instead of ordering all fried food, balance it out with a lighter dish.)

It’s not about perfection—it’s about tweaks that add up. The goal here isn’t to ban fast food—it’s to tweak it when the benefits of it outweigh the cons so it at least works for you and not against you.

But you know what? The best way to reduce fast food’s impact is to rely on it less in the first place.

So how do we start shifting away from it—without making life harder?

Step 2: Build a Home Routine That Replaces Fast Food—Without the Effort

This isn’t about meal prepping your weekends away or becoming a gourmet chef overnight.

It’s about making home just as easy as the drive-thru.

1. Start with Your Freezer & Pantry

The drive-thru wins because it’s always available. So let’s make sure your home has:

Quick-cook proteins (rotisserie chicken, frozen turkey burgers, pre-cooked lentils, eggs).

Easy carb bases (pre-cooked rice, frozen sweet potatoes, whole-grain wraps).

Grab-and-go snacks (cheese sticks, nuts, pre-washed fruit, hummus).

One-step frozen meals (veggie stir-fries, smoothie packs, broth-based soups).

The easier it is to throw something together at home, the less you’ll reach for takeout.

Personal Note: I totally get the fact that many of our kids aren’t too keen on veggies. Around here, if it’s not a chicken tender or mac’n cheese… it’s not getting eaten. And this is frustrating!! I guarantee you neither of my kids will eat pre-cooked lentils, and they can’t have dairy, and there’s no way in heck my son will eat something orange. But the premise here is still the same – find what works, aim for quality ingredients as much as possible. Shifts, especially for our little ones, happen over time. Sometimes, a long time. You just keep trying.

2. Swap Just ONE Fast-Food Night for an At-Home Shortcut Meal

Instead of saying “we’re quitting fast food” (which won’t last), replace just ONE meal per week with a home-based alternative to start.

If Friday is always takeout night, swap it once for a fast homemade meal like:

Taco night (using pre-cooked or frozen protein).
Sheet pan dinner (chicken + veggies, throw it in the oven, done).
Breakfast for dinner (eggs, toast, fruit—5 minutes, no stress).

Keep it fast, simple, and satisfying.

Once one swap feels easy? Try a second.

Before you know it, fast food will naturally shift from 3-5 times per week to 1-2—without forcing it.

3. Create Your Own “Fast Food” System

Fast food wins because it’s thoughtless.

So let’s make home-cooked meals just as easy.

Try this: Pick 3-5 “fast meals” that take 10 minutes or less—and always keep the ingredients stocked.

Example:

• Quesadilla with beans & cheese + salsa & guac.
• Frozen veggie stir-fry + pre-cooked chicken + rice.
• Greek yogurt, fruit, nuts + toast. (If you’re running late and only have 5 minutes, this could save you a trip to the drive-thru!)
• Canned soup + whole-grain crackers + side of veggies.

The goal? Eliminate the moment of decision fatigue that makes you grab takeout.

Fast Food Isn’t the Enemy—But It Shouldn’t Be the Default

Fast food isn’t the problem—total reliance on it is.

By keeping its benefits (ease, speed, predictability) but shifting where we get those benefits from, we make long-term change actually happen.

You still get easy meals.
You still get convenience.
But now? You’re in control of it.

What’s one meal you could swap this week?

Coming Up Next → How to Make Your Meals Work for Your Energy Needs (because fueling your body is about more than just hunger—it’s about making sure you actually feel good).

Janel Stewart

Let’s Begin

Like what you’re reading? Subscribe below for more tips, insights, and stories delivered right to your inbox.

Subscribe