Your Fast Food Favorites?

ratface

Hi everyone. So how many of you tell the counter person at McDonalds you are a cancer patient and need two syrups to get those hotcakes down. Luckily they don't normally give me a hard time. I imagine that most of us have had to change their eating habits while eating out as the lack of saliva and swallowing issues becomes the new norm. I wonder if we can amass some favorite places and tips while eating at some of the more well known chains that most of us are likely to frequent. For instance at Mickey D's I can eat the hotcakes and sausage and scrambled eggs. I always have to ask for extra syrup to get the hotcakes down. I can eat the fish without cheese and without the bread. The salads there are doable although the Southwestern dressing is very spicy.

Wendy's- The salad bar and the very tame chili is doable.

Popeyes- The red beans and rice comes with rice on top which is easily removed leaving mostly red beans in sauce to contend with.

So where do you fast food and what do you order?

carolinagirl67

Fast Food
My husband loves the chicken soup at Chick-fil-a. Sometimes he eats two bowls. Enjoy

Landranger25

Still experimenting
(3 months post treatment) I have done Big Mac, Quarterpounder and the Big n' tasty all at McDonalds. 1/4 pound single at Wendy's as well. I have to say they are all what I call "work". I want to eat them but always have a drink handy, small bites and chew very well before sending down the rest of the way. I feel much better at Taco Bell with a Burrito Supreme or Soft Taco Supreme. (no sauce, mild or otherwise!) Chili tastes yucky as does any other tomato based foods like spaghetti. Now it's white sauce with my pasta. Buitoni has several filled pastas that I like and are quick and easy. I can even have Texas Toast with them. I have found I can eat just about anything texturewise as long as I have that drink. Mouth and tongue sensitive to hot. Very careful with coffe and such. I'll continue to keep trying as I feel my throat is better all the time. I still have 9 months to improve according to my Oncologist.

Mike

MarineE5

Good topic
Ratface,

Nice topic, always good to get feedback from other people on what they can get down without too much trouble.

Wendy's- as you mentioned, the chili is mild enough for me to eat and is good. I can eat the little 5 piece packs of the chicken nuggets, I usually get 3 packs with the chili.

Burger King- I treat myself to the Whopper 1/4 pounder with the largest Chocolate Milkshake they have and biggy fries. The whopper has a messy sauce on it that helps.

Denny's- I have been going there for some time now and they know that I need allot of gravey on my food. Always make sure I have water and coffee. They take care of me great there.

My Best to You and Everyone Here

Hondo

You got me
OK. I will tell the truth,

I am a sucker for a McDonald’s Egg and Cheese Biscuit with a hash brown I don’t do it all the time just now and then.

Also love Long Johns fish and more platter.

Landranger25

Hondo said:

You got me
OK. I will tell the truth,

I am a sucker for a McDonald’s Egg and Cheese Biscuit with a hash brown I don’t do it all the time just now and then.

Also love Long Johns fish and more platter.

Ditto
Right there with you on the fish & more at Long Johnx Hondo. One of my favorites as well.

Mike

Craig_Griffin

carolinagirl67 said:

Fast Food
My husband loves the chicken soup at Chick-fil-a. Sometimes he eats two bowls. Enjoy

Fast Food
This is an interesting topic. I still crave a lot of fast foods, which I used to eat. However with the advanced stage 4 cancer that I had the taste is not the same long after my treatment. Right now my favorite is the $5 foot long Subway tuna fish sandwich. Most foods that I now eat are softer than before. I really don't mind. -C. Griffin.

micktissue

Fast food? Not for me!
Hi everyone. I know I am in a different place than most of you - I have not yet had radiation - and it is likely I'll alter my position once I'm there, but, as of right now, nothing un-orgainic is entering my system. I am so focused on nutrition that any notion of eating a food that has not demonstrated a cancer fighting or immune system building property is off the menu.

Of course if I am starving to death because I cannot swallow I'll need to reconsider this stance in the short term and consider some of these alternates, but I am focused and motivated on avoiding them at (almost) all costs.

Best,

Mick

Skiffin16

MMM Fast Food
My favorites, although I know aren't the best health wise, even considering the cancer I had....

Burger King Double Cheese Burgers (and they're only a buck)....

McDonalds Steak and Cheese Bagels....

Like Hondo, I like Long John Silvers, especially the Clam Strips and Lobster Bites, although I eat plenty of fresh fish as I go fishing almost every week-end weather dependant.

My wife makes great soups, chili's and stews, but they don't taste very good to me any longer unfortunately. The Chicken Noodle that she make's is excellent and I used to love it, now it kinda of tastes like a bowl of chicken fat soup.....hopefully I'll regain some of that taste back, but so far I haven't.

Another item that she makes which is awesome is spegetti sauce, unfortunately that no longer tastes so great either. But, they're are plenty of things to keep me happy, it's just a matter of learning my new taste.

I don't have very much of a sweet taste any longer, although I do like the Nestles Chocolate Chip and Walnut or Pecan bake and serve cookies with a cold glass of milk. The milk isn't quite as good as it used to be, but it's pretty darn close.

OK, I need to quit this stuff, I'm starting to make myself hungry.....

John

Hondo

Skiffin16 said:

MMM Fast Food
My favorites, although I know aren't the best health wise, even considering the cancer I had....

Burger King Double Cheese Burgers (and they're only a buck)....

McDonalds Steak and Cheese Bagels....

Like Hondo, I like Long John Silvers, especially the Clam Strips and Lobster Bites, although I eat plenty of fresh fish as I go fishing almost every week-end weather dependant.

My wife makes great soups, chili's and stews, but they don't taste very good to me any longer unfortunately. The Chicken Noodle that she make's is excellent and I used to love it, now it kinda of tastes like a bowl of chicken fat soup.....hopefully I'll regain some of that taste back, but so far I haven't.

Another item that she makes which is awesome is spegetti sauce, unfortunately that no longer tastes so great either. But, they're are plenty of things to keep me happy, it's just a matter of learning my new taste.

I don't have very much of a sweet taste any longer, although I do like the Nestles Chocolate Chip and Walnut or Pecan bake and serve cookies with a cold glass of milk. The milk isn't quite as good as it used to be, but it's pretty darn close.

OK, I need to quit this stuff, I'm starting to make myself hungry.....

John

John
Don’t forget the Clam Chowder at Shells

delnative

Hondo said:

John
Don’t forget the Clam Chowder at Shells

Picky eater
I've always been a big one for natural foods. With the exception of chicken, the only meat my wife and I eat is what I've bagged when I hunt, which I do frequently: We live on venison, waterfowl and the occasional wild hog. (As Ted Nugent says, "I like my pork pissed off!")
However, maybe a month after I had completed treatment and was driving home after a visit to my docs at Johns Hopkins, something told me I needed to stop at McDonald's and buy some fries. I hadn't eaten any solid food since my treatment began, my throat still hurt and I had no clue if I'd be able to eat even one fry, much less a large order of them.
I stopped, bought some fries, and man, they tasted good. I haven't set foot in a McDonald's since then and probably won't again (other than to use their restroom) but old Ronald did right by me then.

--Jim in Delaware

Scambuster

I'm with Mick Tissue - off the processed rubbish
While I have thought about doing breakfast at Mc Dos I have resisted and mainly stay on natural foods. I normally start the day with cereal with fruit and my health shake instead of milk in the morning. I then usually have 2 salads a day with Paul Newmans Mustard Honey dressing. I don't reckon the Fast food stuff is too good for us, especially once we stop losing weight and either maintain or start to regain some weight. The only Fast Food I do get is from a juice bar. Sorry no contribution here for FF tips.

It's tough trying to gain weight back but I am now used to my new (or old) slim shape which is about how I was when I was 25. I just bought new jeans today with a 33" waist and i still have a little wriggle room in them in case I do gain a few pounds. I was wearing 37+. I will need to buy a lot of new clothes as I'm over the 'tight belt' on trousers and jeans that are 'too loose' and so will now adjust to the new me.

Scambuster

Kent Cass

Scambuster said:

I'm with Mick Tissue - off the processed rubbish
While I have thought about doing breakfast at Mc Dos I have resisted and mainly stay on natural foods. I normally start the day with cereal with fruit and my health shake instead of milk in the morning. I then usually have 2 salads a day with Paul Newmans Mustard Honey dressing. I don't reckon the Fast food stuff is too good for us, especially once we stop losing weight and either maintain or start to regain some weight. The only Fast Food I do get is from a juice bar. Sorry no contribution here for FF tips.

It's tough trying to gain weight back but I am now used to my new (or old) slim shape which is about how I was when I was 25. I just bought new jeans today with a 33" waist and i still have a little wriggle room in them in case I do gain a few pounds. I was wearing 37+. I will need to buy a lot of new clothes as I'm over the 'tight belt' on trousers and jeans that are 'too loose' and so will now adjust to the new me.

Scambuster

Salad freak
That is me, Ratface. Every night for supper= chef-type salads, with typical French dressing. I'm in a kick now, of adding sliced black olives, and sometimes even sliced onions to it. Just something about the French dressing that agrees with me, bigtime. Used to be a Whopper fanatic, long ago, but what I now have found tasty are simple Wendy's Jr. Cheeseburgers (not the Bacon ones). Something about them, with the sliced onion and combo of dill, and ketchup and mustard, along with a strawberry shake...a weekend treat, for me.

I used to be a 34, but did get down to a 31 during treatment- am between a 33 and 34, now. Even my Onco, today, acknowledged the fact I've gained 8 lbs over the last 3 months. Would be more, but I seldom drink the Ensure, anymore, as food has gotten much better, over 9 months since my last rad.

kcass

micktissue

Scambuster said:

I'm with Mick Tissue - off the processed rubbish
While I have thought about doing breakfast at Mc Dos I have resisted and mainly stay on natural foods. I normally start the day with cereal with fruit and my health shake instead of milk in the morning. I then usually have 2 salads a day with Paul Newmans Mustard Honey dressing. I don't reckon the Fast food stuff is too good for us, especially once we stop losing weight and either maintain or start to regain some weight. The only Fast Food I do get is from a juice bar. Sorry no contribution here for FF tips.

It's tough trying to gain weight back but I am now used to my new (or old) slim shape which is about how I was when I was 25. I just bought new jeans today with a 33" waist and i still have a little wriggle room in them in case I do gain a few pounds. I was wearing 37+. I will need to buy a lot of new clothes as I'm over the 'tight belt' on trousers and jeans that are 'too loose' and so will now adjust to the new me.

Scambuster

the skinny me
Scam that is funny. Someone today commented on how good I look! I've lost 18 lbs since changing my diet (no sugars, lots of big leafy greens, mung beans, lean meats, etc.). I have started to gain a bit of weight back to prepare for the rads and chemo (chemo is just a possibility at this stage, but rads are for sure).

The new normal is such a strange thing, isn't it? We're forced by this beast to rethink and retool our priorities and redirect our energies. I do not recommend this protocol for someone who wants to change their lifestyle, but I can honestly say that some very positive changes have happened because of it. This disease may end up *saving* my life. It has certainly saved my marriage, which is another story.

Warmly,

Mick

Skiffin16

Hondo said:

John
Don’t forget the Clam Chowder at Shells

Shells Restaurant
Yup, Shells is definitely a favorite, but not so much a fast food place...but when you get into the restaurant catagory, that's totally another subjct LOL....

DelNative, you look like the Fred Bear type, especiually with that hat...not sure if you're an archery hunter or not, but look the part.

I used to hunt a lot when I was a kid and in Ohio. Now in living in Florida for several years, I hunt fish....

JG

Glenna M

micktissue said:

the skinny me
Scam that is funny. Someone today commented on how good I look! I've lost 18 lbs since changing my diet (no sugars, lots of big leafy greens, mung beans, lean meats, etc.). I have started to gain a bit of weight back to prepare for the rads and chemo (chemo is just a possibility at this stage, but rads are for sure).

The new normal is such a strange thing, isn't it? We're forced by this beast to rethink and retool our priorities and redirect our energies. I do not recommend this protocol for someone who wants to change their lifestyle, but I can honestly say that some very positive changes have happened because of it. This disease may end up *saving* my life. It has certainly saved my marriage, which is another story.

Warmly,

Mick

Not really a junk food person...
I've never really been a fast food fanatic but I absolutely love McDonalds filet of fish sandwich with cheese. I very rarely eat one because I live in the country and the closest McDonald's to me is a 20 minute drive.

I am a Subway fan though, I love their honey and oat rolls. Of all the fast food places around I think they might have the healthiest foods available. I haven't tried any of their sandwiches since finishing treatment because I have severe dry mouth and don't produce much saliva so any breads are very difficult for me to swallow.

I'm surviving quite nicely on home cooked meals so I really don't miss fast foods much.

Hoping everyone continues to improve and they get great scans!!!

Glenna

Hondo

micktissue said:

the skinny me
Scam that is funny. Someone today commented on how good I look! I've lost 18 lbs since changing my diet (no sugars, lots of big leafy greens, mung beans, lean meats, etc.). I have started to gain a bit of weight back to prepare for the rads and chemo (chemo is just a possibility at this stage, but rads are for sure).

The new normal is such a strange thing, isn't it? We're forced by this beast to rethink and retool our priorities and redirect our energies. I do not recommend this protocol for someone who wants to change their lifestyle, but I can honestly say that some very positive changes have happened because of it. This disease may end up *saving* my life. It has certainly saved my marriage, which is another story.

Warmly,

Mick

Hi Mick
Sometimes it is hard to see the good in something bad; I do believe your focus is in the right direction. I would love to hear your story of cancer saving your marriage; I would also love to use it to tell others but only with your permission.

A positive attitude and a health diet makes for a healing outlook, all the best to you my friend.

Hondo

Glenna M said:

Not really a junk food person...
I've never really been a fast food fanatic but I absolutely love McDonalds filet of fish sandwich with cheese. I very rarely eat one because I live in the country and the closest McDonald's to me is a 20 minute drive.

I am a Subway fan though, I love their honey and oat rolls. Of all the fast food places around I think they might have the healthiest foods available. I haven't tried any of their sandwiches since finishing treatment because I have severe dry mouth and don't produce much saliva so any breads are very difficult for me to swallow.

I'm surviving quite nicely on home cooked meals so I really don't miss fast foods much.

Hoping everyone continues to improve and they get great scans!!!

Glenna

Hi Glenna

Almost forgot about the toasted veggie sub at subway, another one of my favorite food.

carolinagirl67

micktissue said:

Fast food? Not for me!
Hi everyone. I know I am in a different place than most of you - I have not yet had radiation - and it is likely I'll alter my position once I'm there, but, as of right now, nothing un-orgainic is entering my system. I am so focused on nutrition that any notion of eating a food that has not demonstrated a cancer fighting or immune system building property is off the menu.

Of course if I am starving to death because I cannot swallow I'll need to reconsider this stance in the short term and consider some of these alternates, but I am focused and motivated on avoiding them at (almost) all costs.

Best,

Mick

Organic
Mick,

I am with you on that. I am a strict vegetarian and am slowly converting my husband. I buy organic for him and try to do the best I can for nutrition. You will see that as your taste changes it becomes very challenging but it is possible. If we do eat out we avoid fast food but he will eat soup from Chick-fil-a. I know you are reading Anticancer, and it is amazing at how much our enviroment & diet really affect us. We can beat this! My best to you. Donna

micktissue

carolinagirl67 said:

Organic
Mick,

I am with you on that. I am a strict vegetarian and am slowly converting my husband. I buy organic for him and try to do the best I can for nutrition. You will see that as your taste changes it becomes very challenging but it is possible. If we do eat out we avoid fast food but he will eat soup from Chick-fil-a. I know you are reading Anticancer, and it is amazing at how much our enviroment & diet really affect us. We can beat this! My best to you. Donna

Donna
Hi Donna. It was opposite with us - my wife is the veg and I was the carnivore. The switch has been easy for me because I believe so fervently that nutrition has played a huge role in what happened to me and so that it will play a huge role in what happens from now on. If your husband has not read AntiCanter, I encourage him to, and maybe have him start with teh short story about Lenny (the guy with pancreatic cancer).

Right now I feel better than I have in many years, and this is after major surgery only 10 days ago. I started my life style change in November and I can see and feel the difference, and not just physically; I feel mentally and emotionally stronger as well.

All the best to you.

NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER SURRENDER!

Best,

Mick

ratface

Hondo said:

Hi Mick
Sometimes it is hard to see the good in something bad; I do believe your focus is in the right direction. I would love to hear your story of cancer saving your marriage; I would also love to use it to tell others but only with your permission.

A positive attitude and a health diet makes for a healing outlook, all the best to you my friend.

learning some things
Wow, some places I never heard of that don't exist in the midwest. Fish and soup seem to be popular. I'm making some home made chicken soup tonight, It's so cold in Chicago today I just can't get warm. Went to my doctor for bloddwork for a thyroid test to see if that is why I'm freezing. Thanks for the responses, I'm going to try some ot the things suggested. I've lost 40 lbs along the way and generally eat salad, soup, and grains but on occasion when traveling do have to eat out somewhere. Keep the ideas comming.