Healthy Fast Food...

TabithaMichelle85
TabithaMichelle85 Posts: 92 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Now I know that virtually all fast food isn't healthy because of that way it is prepared.... BUT we can't always stay away from fast food. My question is.... if you are having a Junk Food/Fast Food Craving or you are on the run what is something decently healthy you like to grab that is decently calorie friendly (other than subway)??
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Replies

  • Stacey_Leeann
    Stacey_Leeann Posts: 23
    Taco Bell fresco tacos are pretty good and I think about 170 cals each.
  • highervibes
    highervibes Posts: 2,219 Member
    Swiss Chalet (1/4 Chicken dinner w/Salad)
    McDonald's Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
    Wendy's Chili
    Subway Tuna Salad Salad

    They aren't the best choices but will do in a pinch!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I've found that the "healthy" options at most fast food places are not often very tasty, so I tend to stick with whatever crap made them popular in the first place. Since I eat there so rarely I don't worry about calories or whether it's healthy.
  • rosebarnalice
    rosebarnalice Posts: 3,488 Member
    A Wendy's side salad and small chili isn't too bad ( I dump the chili on the salad!)
  • ilovedeadlifts
    ilovedeadlifts Posts: 2,923 Member
    chipotle
  • acpgee
    acpgee Posts: 7,944 Member
    South East Asian. Thai or Vietnamese. But stay away from anything deep fried or in peanut sauce or with a curry sauce containing coconut.
  • GreenChile3
    GreenChile3 Posts: 65
    chipotle

    mmmmm def this...i went there the other day for lunch - had a burrito bowl with chicken, fajita veggies and a scoop of avacado! I was in heaven and it was under 400 cals
  • howardheilweil
    howardheilweil Posts: 604 Member
    They all have salads now... Just saying...
  • IMD918
    IMD918 Posts: 49
    kfc grilled chicken. drumstick is 90 cals. thigh is 170. breast is 220. Delicious and lots of protein.
  • DeeDiddyGee
    DeeDiddyGee Posts: 601 Member
    I can't even go near a fast food place without gaining weight. I simply keep a protein bar (i.e., meal replacement type) in my bag for "emergencies."
  • ItsCasey
    ItsCasey Posts: 4,021 Member
    chipotle

    Agree. I get salads at Chipotle frequently, and I always have to clarify for them that yes, I really do want two servings of meat.
  • eep223
    eep223 Posts: 624 Member
    They all have salads now... Just saying...

    That's true, but it doesn't mean it's healthy. It's good to get a look at the nutrition info before instantly going for the salad. Sometimes you'd be better off calorie-wise with a dollar menu burger!
  • TabithaMichelle85
    TabithaMichelle85 Posts: 92 Member
    They all have salads now... Just saying...

    If I wanted a salad... I would make one.
  • jkmiller82
    jkmiller82 Posts: 214 Member
    I usually get a baked potato with sour cream and chives and a small chili from Wendy's. It's filling and pretty dang cheap too! I also like their pecan apple salad. I agree with the Taco Bell Fresco tacos too. I order a steak soft taco and pintos and cheese on the side. I also eat at Chipotle a lot too. I order a bowl with no rice, black beans, tons of fajita veggies, chicken all the hot sauces and guacamole for an incredibly filling lower-cal meal. From Sonic I'll order the grilled chicken wrap, but I ask for no ranch and ask for extra salsa on the side.
    As you said, it's not always the best choice, but when you're in a pinch sometimes it's necessary.
  • saraknotts
    saraknotts Posts: 37 Member
    McDonalds grilled chicken southwest salad with the southwest dressing that comes with it...under 400 calories, very filling, and delicious!
  • TabithaMichelle85
    TabithaMichelle85 Posts: 92 Member
    They all have salads now... Just saying...

    That's true, but it doesn't mean it's healthy. It's good to get a look at the nutrition info before instantly going for the salad. Sometimes you'd be better off calorie-wise with a dollar menu burger!

    Agreed... Some of the salads are 600+ calories ... However, I just make my own salads I want something to satisfy my junk food fast food craving a salad isn't it. LoL
  • MightyDomo
    MightyDomo Posts: 1,265 Member
    If you go anywhere that serves chicken sandwiches without breading and too much flavoring get the burger with lettuce, tomato and mayo without the bun, extra lettuce. It will basically be an awesome chicken salad with just a little more fat than if you made it at home with a nice dressing. Any fast food can be modified by removing some options and adding others to make it a better choice. I just wish they still served protein platters at McDonalds because those used to be fantastic!
  • Josalinn
    Josalinn Posts: 1,066 Member
    Chic-fil-A has an amazing oatmeal for breakfast
  • natmadc
    natmadc Posts: 116 Member
    I usually go to there websites most have a nutrition calculator or at least nutrition facts posted

    And, Im noticing a lot more FFR's are posting the calories of their foods on their menus.

    Chik-Fil-A has some good options
  • KombuchaCat
    KombuchaCat Posts: 834 Member
    Chipolte, you can't go wrong there.
  • kss1231
    kss1231 Posts: 167 Member
    Panera. They now list calories on the menu board. You can get soup and sandwich for under 500 calories.
  • EpicPickle
    EpicPickle Posts: 35
    Wendy's has a pretty good grilled chicken wrap and apples for a side.
  • gottogetinshape
    gottogetinshape Posts: 124 Member
    Now I REALLY want junk food! Anyone care to share a double cheeseburger and fries with me? How soon can you get to North London, England? :)
  • TabithaMichelle85
    TabithaMichelle85 Posts: 92 Member
    Chic-fil-A has an amazing oatmeal for breakfast

    We don't have those where I live... Small Town USA Over Here... Thank You Though :-)
  • JenAndSome
    JenAndSome Posts: 1,893 Member
    McDonalds grilled chicken southwest salad with the southwest dressing that comes with it...under 400 calories, very filling, and delicious!

    I like it without the dressing, too. I just squirt the juice from the lime. Puts it right about 290 cal.
  • Josalinn
    Josalinn Posts: 1,066 Member
    Well when you are In Fort Wayne or Indianapolis.
  • littlemissnotfit
    littlemissnotfit Posts: 15
    For those suggesting Wendy's chili, as yummy as it is... I recently had a bad experience with my chili. There was some sort of nasty bug in my small order of chili! A few bites into it and bam there it was in my spoon about to be eaten. I know this is probably an isolated incident but it really made me think how many bugs from a fast food joint, I've eaten without noticing. :sick:

    Food for thought!

    Side note I saw a funny meme that said getting salads from a fast food restaurant is like asking a prostitute for a hug... untrue but LOL it made me laugh :laugh:
  • nroth57
    nroth57 Posts: 21
    figure out your available fast food options and google their nutrition. Most fast food chains offer nutrition online and a lot of them offer "nutrition calculators". plan it out, figure out what you want before you go and order that without looking at the menu, or pretty pictures of the other less healthy options.

    I travel for work and I plot out nearby healthy options from the hotel or on my road trip, etc. If I know I am going to hit a healthy food "desert" on a road trip, dude I pack a lunch.

    Panera, Potbelly's and Chipotle all have some tasty options. But all of them can get out of hand real quick if you go in unprepared (you know a burrito bowl at Chipotle can get up to like 700 calories in the blink of an eye).
  • meghanmfitzgerald
    meghanmfitzgerald Posts: 29 Member
    Jimmy John's Lettuce wraps (unwhich)
    ChickFilA salads or even the wraps if you don't mind the extra carbs
    Panera Bread
    Starbucks Egg White, Feta and spinach wraps and their fruit smoothies.
  • chunkydunk714
    chunkydunk714 Posts: 784 Member
    They all have salads now... Just saying...

    If I wanted a salad... I would make one.

    :smile:

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