But there are times when going through a drive-through for a meal or snack just makes sense. Maybe you're on an adventure to town or your appointment took longer than you thought and your blood sugar can't wait for you to get home. Or perhaps you just want a fun treat and don't want to cook it yourself.

Whatever reasons you hit up the drive-through for food or drinks, this guide offers some tips for making the splurge just a little healthier.

General Tips for Healthier Habits in the Drive-Through

The tips below refer to habits and strategies you can use in all types of drive-through situations to cut down on calories, fat, salt, oils or other unwanted excess while still enjoying a treat.

• Don't say yes to the upsize. The upsize is mostly an upsell — an effort to get you to spend more money. Most of the time, the regular size drink and side offer plenty of food to meet (or exceed) calorie needs.
• Consider ditching fries. When it's an option, choose a different side. Some fast-food restaurants offer veggies or fruits, and if fries are the only side option, consider whether the sandwich or other entree might be enough food on its own.
• BYOW — bring your own water. If you're in the habit of carrying your own water bottle, pass on the sugary drinks in the drive-through. Many fast-food restaurants sell bottled water or offer tap water for free, so you can get water with your meal even if you didn't bring your own.
• Go grilled. When it's an option, consider getting chicken items grilled rather than fried. This can cut down substantially on fats, oils and calories while allowing you to still enjoy a savory treat.
• When in doubt, ask. Fast-food restaurants tend to put their menus up on the walls, which limits the space where they can display everything they actually offer. You might not see a grilled chicken option, for instance, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. It never hurts to ask if there's a healthier swap that works better for you.
• Be aware of the sauces. From condiments on sandwiches and burgers to dipping sauces, these extras can add a lot to your meal — and not everything they add is flavor. Be aware of how much sauce you're adding and what comes in that packet before you dip your chicken or fries.

Reading the Fast-Food "Labels"

Managing chronic conditions and ensuring a nutritional diet require taking ownership of your food. That means reading labels and making decisions that match your dietary needs and any restrictions your medical provider might have ordered. For example, one older adult may need to avoid gluten, while another needs to keep an eye on salt content.

Fast food doesn't come with a label, but these restaurants are required to provide you with nutritional information somewhere.

Many offer details about nutrition online. Here are some links to nutritional content for some popular fast-food restaurants:

• McDonald's nutrition calculator
• Chick-fil-A nutrition and allergen information
• Sonic nutrition and allergen guide

To find the online nutrition information for your favorite fast-food restaurant, go to its website. You can do that by Googling the restaurant name and finding the link to the official site. Look at the top menu elements to see if there's an option for "nutrition information" or something similar. If you don't see it there, scroll to the bottom of the page and look for a link in the footer.

If you can't find nutrition information online, ask about it in the store. They may have a printout you can review.

Moderation Is Important

No matter what your dietary restrictions are or which fast-food restaurant you crave, moderation is important. Getting a box of burritos at Taco Bell once a month or splurging on a cold treat from Sonic every other weekend is typically fine for most older adults. Even going through the drive-through once a week because it's convenient or you enjoy it can be okay, especially if you put some of the tips above into action.

A double burger, milkshake and fries several times a week, however, tends to cross a line where moderation is concerned. If you find yourself eating fast food multiple times a week because cooking and cleaning the kitchen seems like too much work, consider whether you might enjoy life more in an assisted living community where you don't have to prepare your own meals and you can enjoy social activities and other lifestyle amenities every day.

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