Fast Food

krismurphy798

So sometimes it’s tough to find time to cook. I’ll meal prep and stuff, but some days it’s just easier to get fast food. I try to stick to things like sandwiches or salads but I’m curious: what’s your guys’ go-to fast food (or fast casual) restaurant and what do you order??

HulkV2

If I'm at work and forget my lunch I go with sashimi. If my wife and I are out I get a steak but for fast food I can get just about anything without a bun. I do chicken salads too.

Deanner03

I love the Taco Bell Power Bowl (chicken). I get it with no rice, no beans and extra lettuce.

leahannhorton

Honestly, if I'm looking for something quick when I'm out and about at work I hit the grocery store. Grab something from the deli (usually labeled with nutritional information) and it's typically cheaper.

MikePTY

The good news about fast food is that the nutritional information is all online. Look it over before you order and plan out what you can and can't have according to your goal. There are higher and lower calorie option at every place.

Panini911

to be honest, salads can be calorie bombs. check online or order carefully. Ditto sandwhiches.

nothing wrong with stopping to pick up fast food, but most chains have their nutritional info online so go in an informed buyer and stick to your calories.

glassyo

And, on a lot of the fast food websites, you can customize your order so see what the calories/macros are without mayo, cheese, bread, veggies, etc.

kimothyschma

Here's some meals I had this month that I just pulled out of my diary: (daily intake ~1650 calories)

Chick-fil-a: small fry + cobb salad with no cheese + 8 grilled nuggets + half package fat free honey mustard = 745 calories (estimated the salad)
Chipotle: white rice + barbacoa + guac + green salsa + lettuce = 630 calories
Wendy's: spicy chicken sandwich with 1/2 bun + 1/2 large fry = 675 calories
Raising Cane's: 2 chicken fingers + 12g cane's sauce + ketchup + 1/2 fry + 1/4 Cole Slaw = 564 calories

My strategy is to have a limited amount of what I want. For example, I usually split fries with my husband, measure out the high calorie condiments like salad dressing or special sauce, take the top part of a bun off a sandwich, order 0 calorie drinks, and leave off the cheese. I can pretty much eat anywhere if I make little cuts all around to the meal.

whoami67

I like the double chicken avocado salad at El Pollo Loco. They have things that are lower in calories, but that's my favorite item on the menu.

gallicinvasion

Street tacos are awesome! I also love avocado rolls with spicy mayo from the sushi place.

lx1x

My typical.. Wendy's, chicfila, subway and taco Bell. As stated .. plenty to choose from depending on your Cal goal. Myself.. I have 2k cal per day. 😇

ultra_violets

Fast food doesn't have to be off limits, is how I see it. Because most of us are regular people on a budget and it's just a reality of life that sometimes you need an inexpensive meal on the go. I usually hit up Wendy's or McDonald's for a cheeseburger, plain, no bun. Wendy's also does good salads. If you're on the East Coast, the best premade salad I ever had in my life came from Wawa (gas station/convenience store). $5.59 and it comes in its own very generous plastic bowl, with several varieties to choose from and it's always fresh.

aokoye

I don't eat fast food for a lot of reasons (save for when I'm in Europe and I can doner kebab...). That said when I get food that takes a similar amount of time as fast casual it's typically chicken shawarma from a really good Lebanese grocery store near my house (it's actually only two blocks farther away than the closest fast food restaurant) or a stir-fry from the local not Whole Foods which is also very close to my house.

I also am a fan of many of the food carts that are in Portland.

TanyaHooton

I treat myself to Chipotle naked burritos or Noodles & Co's penne rosa once a month. But it's easy to control the calories at those places, and I can make them fit into a regular calorie allowance without sacrificing other things.

When I truly want salty, greasy, calorie-bomb fast food, I get a quarter-pounder (no onions) with fries at McDonald's (sometimes a 10-piece chicken mcnugget instead), or I get a steak quesadilla at Taco Bell. It can be a struggle to make those work, but it's usually do-able if I get the smallest sizes.

My problem is pizza. I love pizza and we have it 3-4 times a month. I don't know how to control myself around pizza, certainly not if my husband is ordering.

quiksylver296

Subway at least 2x a week. Roasted chicken breast x2 on honey oat with all the veggies, mustard and vinegar and a bag of Salt and Vinegar Lay's - 560 calories.

kshama2001

aokoye wrote: »

I don't eat fast food for a lot of reasons (save for when I'm in Europe and I can doner kebab...). That said when I get food that takes a similar amount of time as fast casual it's typically chicken shawarma from a really good Lebanese grocery store near my house (it's actually only two blocks farther away than the closest fast food restaurant) or a stir-fry from the local not Whole Foods which is also very close to my house.

I also am a fan of many of the food carts that are in Portland.

Mmm, there were so many better close options for take out when I lived in South Florida, including shawarma. There also were a lot more Thai restaurants and they were cheaper, too.

We do have McD, BK, and Wendy's, but those don't interest me. I make better burgers and chicken at home.

My OH often values convenience over taste, and that's fine.

Ducks47

If I'm busy then it is what is near me... Maybe Subway or Tim Hortons or a local cafe. It's harder to know calories in restaurant food though. I am pretty well acquainted with the Tim Hortons chili. Super high sodium though. Or I get the lunch BLT on an all dressed bagel. I try to avoid mayo at Subway and stick to things like mustard and avoid the donuts and sugary drinks at Tims. I find it helpful to keep nuts, bars in my bag in case I get hungry. I've also become super good at FAST meals. For example- seasoning, can of beans or some grounded beef, microwave rice, and frozen veg and BAM dinner in like 5 minutes. Or an egg sandwich.

bjkoziara

I'm a big fan of ordering food at work because I like cooking but hate doing it just for me, and my husband and I work opposite schedules. Panera is my go-to, specifically the Green Goddess Cobb Salad. It has lots of protein and good fats and the dressing is delicious (I only use half of what they give you). Their salads are great and when you order online you can customize to your heart's desire.

If I'm really, really craving Chick Fil A, it's grilled nuggets and a fruit cup.

lemurcat2

I try to bring my lunch most of the time, but there are lots of options, including but not limited to: Freshii salad, Protein Bar salad, Pret soup or wrap or some other options, the Med salad at a local Med/Middle Eastern place, a poke salad option, local salad bar with make your own salads, turkey sandwich at Potbellys, salad at one of the noodle places like Noodles Etc., or in a pinch a fajita bowl at Chipotle. All of those places (but for the salad bar, but I can figure that out easily enough) have nutrition information, so I'm comfortable I know what I'm choosing and unlike dinner if I have to have lunch out that's what I go with.

On the other hand, there's a doner kebab place here that has a cart, and I've been wanting to try them, so I would deal with no cals to do so should I happen to notice them around on a day I want to buy lunch: https://www.donermen.com/ (They were at our Christmas market this past year, which is near my office, but I never ended up getting lunch over there since I hate crowds and lines.)

kenyonhaff

Favorites:

* Rotisserie chicken - delicious, high protein, cheap, can make multiple meals. Grab a prepackaged salad. Boom! Done!
* McDonald's grilled chicken sandwich - no FRIES!
* McDonald's Sante Fe salad - use 1/2 of dressing!
* Sushi - my grocery stores and Trader Joe's has decent sushi which often is lower calorie than the salads.
* Prepackaged salad - Trader Joe's is pretty good.
* Panera - 1/2 sandwich
* Wendy's - baked potato - seriously!
* Taco Bell - there's a Protein Burrito (forget the exact name) it's a bit higher calorie but very high in protein.

seltzermint555

I eat fast food once or twice a week. My go-tos currently...

Steak & Shake: triple steakburger, no cheese - lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion & mustard.
McDonald's: McDouble, half bun
Arby's: regular roast beef, horsey sauce & half bun
Local fast food Mexican place: bowl of refried beans with cheese & a black coffee, or 2 crunchy tacos
Chipotle: steak or chicken burrito bowl, rice or beans but not both, pico de gallo & 1/2 serving sour cream but no cheese
Burger King: Whopper, half bun, no mayo
Mall food court: small falafel & boba tea (avocado or taro). Higher calorie than most of these options but IMO, worth it!
Braum's: regular breakfast burrito w/ Greek yogurt for the side or their "Kids Meal": jr. burger with no cheese & tiny milkshake...I get Greek yogurt for the side instead of fries and save for breakfast the next day
Taco Bell: mini beefy quesadilla (I get two of these if it's for an actual meal and not just a snack)
Local steakhouse quick lunch: 2 piece catfish with collard greens, served with 2 types of bread but I don't eat it.

I also really like Dominos pasta primavera bowl but it's difficult for me to trust the calorie count at around 540 so I usually log it as 700-ish.

sparkle43

* Rotisserie chicken - delicious, high protein, cheap, can make multiple meals. I love that idea as I do too. In one store called food land less salt another grocery store is Loblaws in Canada it is way to salty. I eat the white hubby eates the brown. I make stir fry with peppers, all colors. mushrooms. And once in awhile I blot out the oil with paper towel while cooking. I use only a tad of olive oil. I prepare alot of food and also freeze it. I enjoy your blogs. I love McDonalds fish on a bun. And Wendys. Have a good day!

DancingMoosie

Subway is usually easy. I like the grilled chicken, but sometimes get whatever the special is. There's always the option of making it a salad. We eat Whataburger almost weekly, and I tend to order the grilled chicken melt, no bun, extra lettuce tomato pickles. I like Bill Miller's salad as well, with pickles, pico, and marinated onions.

PAV8888

McDonald's:
Vanilla cones. Advertised at 230 Cal. Usual serves are between 220 and 300 Cal based on past scale checks
McDouble, add 3x red onions AND 3x slivered onions <crunch and, how shall we say it... staying power > about 400 Cal
While I was actively losing weight I would even do a McDouble as above PLUS a round egg <about 475 Cal>
Usually drink black coffee <10 Cal>, or diet pop <2 Cal> when there.
Any of the egg mcMuffins (canadian bacon, side bacon, or sausage) depending on how hungry I am and how greasy I am willing to accept. usually with no butter for the muffin, and always add 3x red onions and 3x slivered onions.

Wendy's:
Chili <no cheese though it is not a common option in Canada) <Usual serves are around 220 Cal plus 25 to 50 for crackers>
Chili and plain baked potato (cost cutting since I don't use the sour cream anyway and pour the chili over the baked potato. Their baked potatoes clock in at around 240 to 300 Cal most of the time).

Tim Horton's
Any of the regular size soups and/or the regular chili (a couple you have to be careful but most are reasonable in terms of calories), usually with whole wheat bun and one butter package (they are 5 grams in case you wonder and whipped butter so around 35 Cal each)
Raisin or Cheese tea biscuit (scones) (250 to 280 Cal and 260 to 300 Cal based on past scale checks)

Starbuck's
Spinach and Feta Egg White Wrap
Strawberry yogurt scone

Those are MY "off the top of my head" go-to's to balance off prices in $'s and calories and satiation and satisfaction.

seltzermint555

PAV8888 wrote: »

McDonald's:
Vanilla cones. Advertised at 230 Cal. Usual serves are between 220 and 300 Cal based on past scale checks
McDouble, add 3x red onions AND 3x slivered onions <crunch and, how shall we say it... staying power > about 400 Cal
While I was actively losing weight I would even do a McDouble as above PLUS a round egg <about 475 Cal>
Usually drink black coffee <10 Cal>, or diet pop <2 Cal> when there.
Any of the egg mcMuffins (canadian bacon, side bacon, or sausage) depending on how hungry I am and how greasy I am willing to accept. usually with no butter for the muffin, and always add 3x red onions and 3x slivered onions.

Wendy's:
Chili <no cheese though it is not a common option in Canada) <Usual serves are around 220 Cal plus 25 to 50 for crackers>
Chili and plain baked potato (cost cutting since I don't use the sour cream anyway and pour the chili over the baked potato. Their baked potatoes clock in at around 240 to 300 Cal most of the time).

Tim Horton's
Any of the regular size soups and/or the regular chili (a couple you have to be careful but most are reasonable in terms of calories), usually with whole wheat bun and one butter package (they are 5 grams in case you wonder and whipped butter so around 35 Cal each)
Raisin or Cheese tea biscuit (scones) (250 to 280 Cal and 260 to 300 Cal based on past scale checks)

Starbuck's
Spinach and Feta Egg White Wrap
Strawberry yogurt scone

Those are MY "off the top of my head" go-to's to balance off prices in $'s and calories and satiation and satisfaction.

I like a lot of these ideas. Gonna try a McDouble with round egg added next time I wind up there!

GaleHawkins

zerocarbhealth.com/index.php/2017/06/24/zero-carb-ordering-from-mcdonalds/

This is how I do Keto when at McDonald's so I am doing staff training over and over it seems since some staff do not know they have an a la carte menu. Two 1/4 patties with 3 senior cups of regular coffee and half and half comes out to be $3.17 for typically 800 calories unless I drink more coffee at 120 calories per cup.

I do the round eggs and sausage from time to time but it most often is after 10:30 am before I eat there because I eat a huge high calorie breakfast at home with two pickled boiled eggs for starters. Well I often start with and end with full milk plain greek yogurt.

Many places have good chicken salads like Subway and Dairy Queen.

Sharod_BeastFit

No fast foods. High calories and high sodium. I'll be over my goal before the day is over with. 😒

GaleHawkins

@sharbankst I am sure that would be the case for most but I have no numeric goals just health goals on keto and most fast food places today have workable keto friendly options that works well for my health goals but it does take some forethought even at a 5 star option.

corinasue1143

ultra_violets wrote: »

Fast food doesn't have to be off limits, is how I see it. Because most of us are regular people on a budget and it's just a reality of life that sometimes you need an inexpensive meal on the go. I usually hit up Wendy's or McDonald's for a cheeseburger, plain, no bun. Wendy's also does good salads. If you're on the East Coast, the best premade salad I ever had in my life came from Wawa (gas station/convenience store). $5.59 and it comes in its own very generous plastic bowl, with several varieties to choose from and it's always fresh.

In Oklahoma, 7-11 has good salads and fresh tea.

Sharod_BeastFit

GaleHawkins wrote: »

@sharbankst I am sure that would be the case for most but I have no numeric goals just health goals on keto and most fast food places today have workable keto friendly options that works well for my health goals but it does take some forethought even at a 5 star option.

I have to learn about the Keto. I have heard that often.

BasedGawd412

If I didn't prep and I'm eating "healthy, I go to McDonalds getting the bacon ranch grilled chicken salad with extra grilled chicken with a parfait. 🤤