Fast Food - Call Out!

Lone_Wolf70

Chick Fila is the only fast food ill eat.

swil4

At Mcdonalds I will get an egg mcmuffin, no ham for breakfast! If it's lunch, usually a chicken wrap and small fries... The lunch is still high in calories but Mcds' fries are my favorite and I would rather get a small order than none at all...

Subway, I get the sweet onio chicken teryaki sub...

Any other time, I bring my breakfast, lunch and snacks...

Grilled chicken, rice, apples and lots of water...

tnt7787

Go to their websites and look up the calories in everything. I was a fast food junkie when I started this. I went onto the sites of the places I frequented most and made a cheat sheet for myself. Not only did this help me make a better decision about what I get if I get fast food, but it has also kept me away from it more. Also, surprisingly, things that I would normally get were sometimes lower in calories than things I thought would be better. For example, I always get the 8 nuggets at Chick Fil A, deicded to get the chargrilled chicken sandwich and it actually has more calories than the nuggets. I will also stay away from the wraps because the calorie count on those is ridiculous.

lizzybethclaire

mickey d's - crispy grilled chicken wrap ranch

Under 300, fat is around 12 grams

firstsip

I had to look up Weinerschnitzel. So you're telling me you have a fast food hot dog place out west? GOD. DAMN.

khall86790

For those who recommended Subway: I did some research on Subway, and the information I received about their healthy foods (although much better compared to many fast food chains) isn't that great. I still am partial to Subway over any of these fast food chains, but I am curious about for those who are more disciplined at this than I am (no excuses here), what are some healthier alternatives (if any) from these restaurants? It's more of a research poll than anything else. Not to mention, for those rare (EXTREMELY RARE) days where I crave a burger, what would you suggest? (I haven't eaten any burger in over a year -- I usually substitute chicken sandwiches over a burger any day).

I suggest if you are craving it then you get one.
If you haven't eaten a burger in over a year then you've already made a lifestyle change. Don't deprive yourself of things you enjoy, 1lb is 3500 calories, so one burger to satisfy a craving when it's not part of your regular diet is really not going to change your progress.
Again, don't deprive yourself because then you are treating this like a diet and it should be a change to your eating habits that you stick to for the rest of your life!

pinkflower2885

in-n-out has a protein style no cheese and a vege alternative. most places you can opt out of the fries and get a salad instead. Try for grilled items skip the starches and ask for veges. Good luck!

wolfchild59

McDonald's - any of the grilled chicken salads without the dressing. Will be high in sodium, but calories and protein amounts are good. Also, a kids meal has around 400 calories for just the food items, depending on which choice you get. So if you get one of those with water, it's not bad calories-wise, but the fat/carbs/sodium will be higher than the salad

Carl's Jr - Their salads, without the dressings, would be the best options. But the fat is still kind of high on all of the regular portion ones, for a salad. Their turkey burgers by themselves are almost 500 calories and loaded with fat, and not that filling on their own.

Burger King - never eat here, no idea what's on the menu

In-N-Out - not really anything great, but your best option would be to get whatever burger you get "protein-style" so it'd wrapped in lettuce rather than between a bun. And their "sauce" is just ketchup and mustard, no mayo or anything, so not terrible.

Wendy's - I haven't eaten here in a while but the last time I checked their menu they have some salads now, that all seemed high in calories and fat for a salad. And the sodium is especially high for salads as well. The sour cream and chives baked potato is tasty, but is around 350 calories, no protein, and definitely not filling enough as a meal. The nice thing about their nutritional info is that it has a section for each of the sandwich components, so if you want to customize a sandwich to fit your needs, you can get the exact nutritionals for it.

Fred's Burgers - don't have these near me

Weinerschnitzel - haven't found a single better option other than sticking to just a single item and nothing else.

Roberto's - don't have these near me
Alberto's - don't have these near me

Add Subway to your list - you can get any of the sandwiches turned into a salad. The plain chicken breast is the lowest sodium meat option and you can still stack the salad full of veggies like you do the sandwiches. If you really want a sandwich, go for the same meat option. My favorite thing is to order the footlong chicken breast, load it with veggies (no sauce, no cheese) and then ditch half of the bun, move all of the stuff from the second half onto the first half and have a bunch of meat and veggies in just the six-inch size bun. It's around 430 calories and the amount of protein equalizes the carbs a bit more.

mprat210

McDonalds- Grilled BBQ Chicken Wrap
Burger King- Tendergrill Chicken Sandwich with no mayo...I ask for BBQ sauce

BehindBlueEyes988

Closest thing to fast food I'll ever do it a quesadilla at Salsarita's, and that is once every few months. All the others make me incredibly ill, including Subway.

Not to mention after doing a little research of ingredients at all of them, I refuse to ever eat them again. I'd rather not eat food cooked in petroleum based oils, but that's just my preference. To each their own!

Also, Panera Bread. Not fast food I suppose, but I love Panera!

chelledawg14

1) I do not order french fries. Ever.
2) I only eat half of the bun if I get a burger - or no bun at all.

McDonald's - depending on what I'm eating the remainder of the day, I order a 4 or 6 piece McNugget OR I will get a quarter pounder with cheese ordered with one slice of cheese, no mustard, no pickle (because I don't like them) - I will eat only 1/2 the bun or no bun at all. I broke it all down in my foods so that I can log it easy - comes out to around 252 cals or something like that.

Wendy's - same thing on the nuggets or the McDouble plain and no bun. I tend not to eat salads anywhere fast food - I have a reaction to whatever they put on them or what they are washed in.

Most restaurants have "meal builders" on their websites. I always calculate what I'm going to order before I get there.

Arkhos

Also, you can order a smaller burger (regular burger, double burger, happy meal etc.) and replace the fries with Apple Slices - a lot of them have this now. Unsweet Tea (add your own sweetener if needed), Diet Soda or milk for the drink. Goodtimes burgers are also supposed to be a better 100% real beef burger as well.

mommyshortlegs

*bump*

I have no specific, tried-and-true suggestions, but poking about the Culver's website the other day I noticed they have several soup and sandwich combos under their "Mindful Choices" category; I plan on pairing their Tomato Basil Ravioletti with a grilled chicken sandwich (probably sans bun) when next Husband gets a Culver's craving.

http://www.culvers.com/menu-and-nutrition/mindful-choices/

bluefrog_2001

When I go to those places (which I am weaning myself away from), I try to forgo the fries, unless I am really craving them.

You did not list Chik-Fila, which has great Chicken Wraps made without any dressings (they give them to you on the side), plus their website has all the nutrition information on all their items.

When I go there, I order the Chicken Caesar Wrap and a Yogurt Parfait - very filling and good!

vickyg1

On that list I only got o McDonalds once in awhile and I get the Cheeseburger Happy Meal.

TiffersStr1

Subway is my fast food joint of choice. I usually stick with the turkey breast/oven roasted chicken..with no cheese or dressing on 6 in multigrain wheat. Onions,peppers,lettuce/spinach, tomatoes and cucumbers. Or I get one of their salad bowls with turkey or oven roasted chicken and the same veggies. And if you're out, I'd use one of their low fat dressings. I usually bring it home and use my own fatfree dressing or balsamic vinegarette dressing. Sodium is high on these but not so much if that's your fast food for the day.

mommyshortlegs

Also, if you're in the vicinity of a Jimmy John's: Order an Unwich (lettuce wrap), hold the mayo.

djc315

Any time I go to a fast food place, which isn't too often, I skip out on combo meals. I just get the sandwich I want and a bottle of water. I never miss the fries or the extras you can add on.

ericafaye6988

If I eat fast food I stick with Chipotle or Panera Bread. Although, we all have those days where we just can't say no.

turkeyhunter60

grilled chicken, apple slices, water, diet drinks, or go find Subway.

ericafaye6988

Oh and Chick-fil-a has good chicken wraps. Leave off the dressing though.

Spook_Nuke_Em

Going to a fast food joint for a salad is like going to a hooker for a hug....

Try to keep fast food an occasional treat only

Love this. lol

AlongCame_Molly

Nothing. Bring something from home.

If you want to eat healthy, it's best to scratch those places off of your list, except for a rare occasion as a treat.

Gonna hafta agree with this one. Cutting FF out of 99% of my diet is probably one of the top three reasons I was able to lose my weight so easily.

JennetteMac

coffee and tea.
My teenage sons are having McD this evening after late night at work (mine) and sports practice (theirs). I collect it on the way home and enjoy a coffee whilst waiting! :drinker:

jsrussell2127

Sometimes my life calls for "fast food" - literally, so I have the problem of finding things that fit into my calorie count. I have found that even at fast food restaurants, you can stay within your limits by portion control. Half a burger. Half of a small order of fries. Grilled instead of fried, etc.

When at McDonald's, ask for a tray liner. Everything on their menu is listed on the back with the nutritional info. Also, go online to the restaurants' websites and look at their nutritional info before going.

Chili's (not really fast food, but call-in can be fast) has a "lighter choice" meal which is a 6oz sirloin with steamed broccoli for 250cal. You can't beat that. And, it'll fill me up.

Arkhos

:laugh: Obviously a lot of us know about fast food options :laugh: we aren't fat for nothing!!!

katmumn

If I'm going to do fast food, I prefer Culvers (I do like their soup) and Jimmy Johns (add dijon hold the mayo). Chipotle, Noodles & Company and Subway are the only other options close to work that I would consider. Near home, I have better options for healthier eating.

bcattoes

McDonald's -- egg mcmuffin (if not breakfast, cheeseburger Happy Meal)
Burger King -- it's been so long I don't remember what they have - Whopper Jr, I guess. No fries. I remember not liking their fries
Wendy's -- chili

Of your list these are the only three I've ever eaten at (I had never heard of most of those places). I don't eat at these places, but if I had to eat there, this is what I'd probably order.

ETA: if you have Pita Pit near you, that's the way to go. The hummus or baba ganoush wrap packed with veggies in right around 300 calories and full of good stuff.

Showgirlbody

There's a book (and website I think), called "Eat this, Not That". It was kind of catered to men and advertised in Men's Health and such as men tend to eat out more often--lunches, etc. Works for women too but I gave mine to my boyfriend who is not inclined to look up calories. It has lots of chain restaurants in there and gives you the better choice with more volume and less calories then you might otherwise order. It is made for people that don't want to count calories but still make a better choice. Since assuming you are on here, you are already counting calories so be empowered and look them up and choose accordingly what fits in your day. I've been shocked before at looking up calories after the fact to realize that a turkey burger or grilled chicken or something that I thought was the better choice had more calories than a cheeseburger.

I would most likely choose a grilled chicken sandwich no sauce. Or I read once that a plain hamburger with chili or a side salad is the best choice at most fast food places. I think choosing something where you can get more food for the calories is better than say eating just half the whopper because then maybe you would still be hungry. I can't resist french fries so I try not to go unless I can fit the splurge into my day.

cmcollins001

I had to look up Weinerschnitzel. So you're telling me you have a fast food hot dog place out west? GOD. DAMN.

That's one of the places I actually miss. I haven't been to Weinerschnitzel in 20 something years.