Healthy Fast Food is Not an Oxymoron

One of the most common excuses as to why we don't eat healthier is because we're short on time and low on money; it's no wonder fast food chains are thriving in the recession. But believe it or not, it's possible to find healthy options at the greasiest joints. Next time you're on a road trip or stuck eating in a food court, here are some places that won't leave you feeling guilty.

Chipotle - this chain is surprisingly conscious about the quality of their ingredients. You won't be disappointed if you order their vegetarian burrito bowl.

Domino's/Papa John's/Pizza Hut - if you're craving pizza and aren't near your favorite local parlor, these chains are a decent alternative. Take the healthy route and order a thin crust pie loaded with veggies and leave off cheese.

Jamba Juice - don't be fooled by the word smoothie - just because it has fruit in it doesn't make it healthy. Since many of their drinks contain processed powders and sugars, pick an All Fruit Smoothie instead and enjoy the naturally sweet treat.

Johnny Rockets - if you consider burger and fries healthy, their Streamliner veggie burger is quite satisfying when you're in a pinch. Even PETA gave them a thumbs up for their animal-free options.

Subway - after their big weight-loss marketing campaign, you're probably not surprised to see them on this list. But packing bread full of meat and cheese isn't the best for your body, so opt to have a salad with all the veggies you like from their selection.

If none of these restaurants are in your radius, it's always safe to order a salad with a basic dressing (like olive oil and vinegar) or a veggie sandwich. There are many mobile phone applications that you can download to assist you - if you have an iPhone, Vegan Xpress is worth $1.99.

Whitney Lauritsen is a filmmaker, environmentalist, and vegan who promotes healthy living on her site www.ecovegangal.com. She shares tips on how to be kind to your body and the earth via video, photography, and writing. You can find her talking about being healthy and green on Twitter and Facebook.