What to eat when fast food/eating out is your only option?

mscrholder

What do you all eat when you're traveling and fast food/eating out is all you have?

tsh0ck

fast food, I guess.



(it isn't the devil. just make smart decisions based on calories and macros, make it fit and enjoy.)

peachyxoxoxo

Veggie burger at BK or 7 Layer Burrito at Taco Bell with no cheese/sour cream. Those are the best vegetarian options (that include some protein) I have been able to find.

Dave198lbs

there is really no more excuses for fast food when travelling or just running low on time. almost every gas station has nuts, yogurt, beef jerky, cheese, etc. these arent always the best choices but they sure do beat McDonalds by a mile

MandiS80

Most fast food places offer salads and fruit now so it makes it a lot easier

caraiselite

2 mcdoubles, no bread, no ketchup.
add mayo, extra pickle, on a bed of shredded lettuce.

GrammaBonnie

I try to not get in that situation. I pack food and bring it with me. The few times I've ended up in that situation, I've searched out a salad bar. Pizza Hut does a an ok job for lunch, and it's only $5! And, the water is free!

Dave198lbs

2 mcdoubles, no bread, no ketchup.
add mayo, extra pickle, on a bed of shredded lettuce.

junk meat and junk cheese and a bunch of napkins to wipe up the greasy goo.

you are better off going into a gas station and getting a bag of almonds and a stick of beef jerky

pamperedlinny

Here are my usual picks if I get in that situation. I also find that if every few months I go online and double check the menu and nutrition info for my local fast food places. They all tend to adjust and put out new items or stats they've changed. Sometimes they add stuff or options and don't advertise it... Hardee's has options listed on the nutritional that isn't really on the menu.

Chick-Fil-A - grilled chicken sandwich, grilled chicken nuggets, chicken noodle soup, chargrilled salad, light italian dressing, fruit cup, yogurt cup, multigrain oatmeal

McDonald's - Grilled Chicken Salad, Grilled chicken sandwich w/o the bun

Popeye's - grilled chicken tenders, green beans & a baguette (it's the new luex meals or something like that)

Wendy's - salads are pretty good

Pizza - get thin crust w/ veggies and half cheese

KFC - grilled chicken breast is pretty good

airangel59

If one must resort to FF.....most if not all FF places have nutrition info available so you can always check that before you order anything.

Grilled chicken, no sauce, no bun (had one today on lettuce as the bread)
Salad (no croutons, lowest dressing you can find and don't dump it on the food, dip fork tines into it, then into the food)
Stay away from breaded, fried foods.
Baked potato plain (had one today with chives & one of the lite butter they offered)
Panda Express have a few dishes that they consider lighter in calories (Beef w/broccoli is one)
Subway also offers lighter sandwiches and anything can be made into a salad (careful on sauce/dressings/croutons)
Long John Silver offers baked fish (stay away from fried, hushpuppies and cole slaw)
Taco Bell offers a fresco menu.

Just be an informed eater and do your homework before you walk in (all places have nutrition info online) or you'll be in for a rude awakening when you log your meals.

Athena98501

What do you all eat when you're traveling and fast food/eating out is all you have?

Taco Bell's Fresco menu seems to be the leanest fast food out there (very tasty, too).

Trechechus

Salads, sandwiches, Chipotle bowls.

A lot of places print nutrition facts now, so just choose what's best.

sandyyy712

Subway fresh fit choices are good. Also chic-fil-a has some good options because it's all chicken. Fazoli's has 3 good under 400cal options as well.


Honestly though, when I travel I like to bring my own food packed in little baggies (breads, cereals, fruits, drinks, everything I possibly can)

Tricialew32

I bought a backpack cooler from Target and take it everywhere so I always have at least water and good snacks. When that runs out, I hit places that sell salads or Subway because they always have decent options.

cherylmonson

I normally get a kids meal with water or sometimes if they have a baked potato I'll get that. I find the salads normally a waste of my time because they are usually just lettuce.

SenshiV

I posted this somewhere else but you can kind of 'plan ahead' with this: http://www.nutritionix.com/restaurants

I also try to get simple burgers without bacon or cheese, and in restaurants, anything from the 'lean' or 'senior' menu. If no lean menu, go for chicken (they usually always serve breasts) or fish, just be careful on how is fish prepared first.

lenema

Taco Bell. 1 chicken taco fresco style and a side of pintos and cheese= 320 calories, 33 g. carbs, 10 g. fat, 21 g. protein, 10 g. fiber, 580 sodium. Very satisfying.

Temple_Fit

McDonalds S.W salad w/o the chicken.

cloud2011

There's are some books that can suggest items to eat if fast food is your only option. I especially like "The 400 Calorie Fix." And, "Eat This, Not That" is also helpful.

Both address buying takeout or restaurant food.

I like the chicken burrito supreme (fresco) at Taco Bell along with a side of guacamole and a regular size Cherry Limeade.

Panera bread has lemon orzo soup for only 120 calories or so, and their iced tea (small) has 100 calories. Depending on your day, you can also order 1/2 a sandwich and probably still stay within your limits. They also offer chips, bread, or an apple as an option with your meal. So you can order the apple and eat it then, or later.

mmreed

subway or a local grocery salad bar.

never need to accept the excuse of "I had to go to a ff joint"

glovepuppet

i like nandos or a kebab house.
chicken breast, with salad, in a pitta bread.