The food items listed on the kid's menu can be a great option when you're dieting. The portions are smaller, so they contain fewer calories than items on the main menu. Plus, you can often select a piece of fruit as a side option. Be aware that the meal's calorie count on the board does not include the calorie count for sodas. The average cup of soda can contain around 300 calories and 19 grams (0.67 oz) of sugar, which isn't helpful for maintaining your diet. Water is always a safe, calorie-free, and refreshing choice. Also, your body needs water to survive and function properly.  While diet soda has zero calories, the artificial sugars in the beverage can make you crave more real sugars, causing you to over indulge in other sweetened treats.  Lemonade and fruity drinks typically carry just as many calories and sugar as soda. Many meals at fast-food chains offer an order of fries as a side. While fries are certainly delicious, that can pack a calorie count that can range from 300 to even 900 calories! They don't have much nutritional value either. They are mostly just fat and calories. Ask if you can replace the order of fries with a side salad, a piece or fruit, or opt to skip the side altogether. Condiments like mayonnaise, tartar sauce, sour cream, barbecue sauce, and salad dressings can be deceivingly high in calories and sugars. Mayonnaise, for example, has about 180 calories for every 2 tablespoons or 30 milliliters (1  fl oz). Those calories can add up quickly. Ask to receive the condiments or salad dressing in a small container on the side so you can control the amount you use. Opt to use mustard or hot sauce to enhance the flavor. At about 20 calories for 2 tablespoons, mustard is a tasty, low-calorie condiment that packs a lot of flavor. Hot sauce can also kick up the flavor. There are only 3 calories for 2 tablespoons, and all you really need is a little dash! When ordering food from a fast-food restaurant, avoid ordering food that is breaded or fried. Opt for a grilled fish sandwich instead of the crispy option, or forego deep-fried drumsticks and order grilled instead. Fried foods soak up a lot of fat and are high in calories. Grilled food has a lower calorie count, making it easier to maintain your weight loss goals. When dining at your favorite Tex-Mex restaurant, compare the calories between the burritos and the burrito bowls. A tortilla wrap can contain around 300 calories, so opting for a bowl rather than the tortilla can help you keep your calories in check. Reduce the calories even more by skipping the calorie-dense sour cream and shredded cheese. Next time you are craving a hamburger or a sub sandwich, customize your order and cut back on calories by ditching the bread. Consider ordering your sandwich wrapped in lettuce instead. Ordering a hamburger without the bun can cut out about 150 calories. Ditching a hoagie at a sandwich shop can save around 280 calories.   If you don't want to completely cut-out the bread, ask to have the bread hollowed out to reduce the calories. Enjoying a diet rich in vegetables and lean proteins can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and maintain muscle mass. When ordering fast food, consider enjoying a salad with grilled chicken with a light dressing on the side.  Be mindful of salads that contain creamy dressings, shredded cheese, bacon, and other calorie-dense condiments. These additions can turn a healthy, lean salad into a calorie-dense meal. If you really enjoy a burrito with sour cream or love splurging on a chocolate milkshake, ask a friend to split it with you. Sharing the meal will help you control your portions and your calorie intake. Plus, you'll satisfy your fast-food cravings without derailing your diet.

Summary: Order from the kid's menu. Skip the soda. Say no to fries. Ask for your condiments or salad dressing to be served on the side. Pick grilled food over fried. Consider a burrito bowl over a burrito. Ditch the hamburger bun or the hoagie. Enjoy a salad with lean protein. Split a meal with a friend.


When you are searching public records, you are only getting a small piece of the larger picture. You may find an arrest record, but the details are almost never included. Oftentimes reports will contradict each other, as they come from different sources with data gathered at different times. Always take everything you read with a large grain of salt, and do your best to verify any information through other means. Even information such as the person's favorite movies or music could be largely incorrect. They may have made that list five years ago and their tastes are completely different now. Common information obtained from public records can include simple things such as name, address and phone numbers. In addition, birth, death, marriage & divorce records and criminal, court, sex offender registries can be searched in some areas. Licenses, property information and a number of other records are kept by the government and certain organizations. There are a variety of sites online that will allow you to search public records for free, and even more that will do so for a fee. Keep in mind that all public records aren't necessarily free, and getting the appropriate permit and authorization can take a significant amount of time. Likewise, any records that a site returns may be outdated or incomplete. Here are a couple good places to start:   Free Public Records Search Directory - This site allows you to search public records from any state or on a federal level. If the record cannot be obtained by the search, it will often tell you who to contact to obtain it. You will need to know the general location of the person you are investigating.  Family Watchdog - This site contains the National Sex Offender Registry, and allows you to search for offenders by name or location. Keep in mind that details are often not provided, which can contribute to an unwarranted negative view.  Your local department of corrections website - Almost all states will allow you to search publicly available criminal records. The address is different for each state, but searching for "<yourstate> department of corrections" should quickly get you there. A paid public records search may yield more results than a free search, but keep in mind that all of the records it retrieves are available if you put the time in contacting the various agencies. If you don't have time to do this, paying for a search may be a better use of your time and money.
Summary: Know what to expect. Understand what is made public. Use a free public records search. Use a paid search.