Fast Food’s Healthiest Options
If you've ever been on a diet...or try to live a healthy lifestyle...you've been faced with this issue. Maybe you're on a road trip, or really pressed for time. What is the healthiest choice to make at a fast food restaurant. Here is a "go to" list.
McDonald's
Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich — 360 calories
360 calories — pretty low as far as lunch items go; you might want to pair this with a yogurt, a small salad, or some fresh fruit
33g of protein — a hefty amount to strengthen muscles and fill you up
6g of fat — not too low, not too high
43g of carbs — roughly 14% of your daily allowance
960mg of sodium — a little under half your daily allowance
Opt for a sandwich with grilled rather than fried meat, and hold the mayo to curb your fat intake.
Burger King
BK Veggie Burger. No Mayo
310 calories — pretty low as far as lunch items go; you might want to pair this with a yogurt, a small salad, or some fresh fruit.
22g of protein — a hefty amount to strengthen muscles and fill you up
7g of fat — not too low, not too high
42g of carbs — roughly 14% of your daily allowance
990mg of sodium — close to half your daily allowance
Overall at this restaurant, the same rules as McDonald's apply: Avoid mayo and fried options and go for sandwiches instead of meals.
Wendy's
Asian Cashew Chicken Salad, Full Size
380 calories — on the low side
36g of protein — a hefty amount to strengthen muscles and fill you up
14g of fat — on the higher side, but not a deal-breaker
32g of carbs — pretty high and largely from sugar; watch your snacks
1070mg of sodium — roughly half your daily allowance
Not all of Wendy's salads are on the healthier side but this one is a winner!
Taco Bell
Fresco Chicken Burrito Supreme
340 calories — pretty low as far as lunch items go; you might want to pair this with a yogurt, a small salad, or some fresh fruit
19g of protein — a pretty good amount to strengthen muscles and fill you up
8g of fat — not too low, not too high
49g of carbs — roughly 16% of your recommended daily allowance
1060mg of sodium — close to half your recommended daily allowance
Taco Bell has expanded their healthier offerings with its "Fresco" menu, which essentially swaps the sour cream and cheese in popular items for sale.
Subway
6-inch Turkey Breast Sub. No Cheese. Add Avocado
340 calories — pretty low as far as lunch items go; you might want to pair this with a yogurt, a small salad, or some fresh fruit
18g of protein — a pretty good amount to strengthen muscles and fill you up
9g of fat — not too low, not too high
49g of carbs — roughly 16% of your daily allowance
670mg of sodium — not bad; much lower than competing items at Chipotle or Taco Bell
"Eating fresh" is pretty easy at this chain, where you can get lean meats or just fresh veggies on whole-wheat bread with a variety of low-calorie, low-fat dressings.
Chipotle
Chicken Burrito Bowl with Brown Rice & Pinto Beans. No Cheese. No Sour Cream
500 calories — not too low, not too high
42g of protein — a hefty amount to strengthen muscles and fill you up
13.5g of fat — a little on the high side
57g of carbs — roughly one-third of your recommended daily allowance
805mg of sodium — a little less than half your recommended daily allowance
Chipotle has lots of fresh, healthier options. In general, nix the cheese and sour cream and go for deconstructed alternatives to their burritos.
Panera Bread
Smoked Turkey Breast Sandwich on Country
430 calories — not too high, not too low
33g of protein — a hefty amount to strengthen muscles and fill you up
3.5g of fat — pretty low
67g of carbs — on the higher side; watch your snacks
1790mg of sodium — higher than any other item on this list
Panera has loads of yummy nutritious items, at least when it comes to lunch. Order from the "You Pick Two" menu to try a half sandwich and small salad, or a get a full sandwich.
Papa John's
Garden Fresh Pizza, two medium slices — 400 calories
400 calories — on the lower side
16g of protein — a pretty good amount to strengthen muscles and fill you up
14g of fat — not too low, not too high
54g of carbs — pretty high; replace sugary or carb-heavy snacks with protein-rich ones
980mg of sodium — just under half your daily allowance
If you're a pizza fan, keep an eye on your salt intake the rest of the day after you've indulged in a few slices.
Pizza Hut
Garden Party Thin Crust Pizza, Two Medium Slices
460 calories — not too high, not too low
18g of protein — a pretty good amount to strengthen muscles and fill you up
18g of fat — on the higher side, but not a deal-breaker
60g of carbs — pretty high; watch your snacks
900mg of sodium — a little under half your daily allowance
Pizza Hut is now offering several options with more fresh veggies and popular toppings like Sriracha.
Nutritional statistics collected by Business Insider.
Additional Reporting by Kiah Heron