400 calorie fast food meal ideas

hoosier124
hoosier124 Posts: 4
in Food and Nutrition
Hi everyone - I am sure I am not the only one who travels a lot for work and often ends up with fast food as my only option. Lately I have been trying to compile a list for myself of fast food meals that are about 400 calories so when I show up somewhere, I don't even have to think about it, I know some options that I can order without over indulging. Here's my short list so far. Any other good ones I should know about?

Chick-fil-A
Chargrilled chicken sandwich w/honey mustard sauce packet, medium fruit cup = 405 calories

Potbelly
TKY on skinny cut wheat bread no cheese w/ lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion & mustard, cup of spicy black bean & roasted tomato soup = 440 calories

*Note - I only order unsweetened iced tea, so I don't add any calories to my meal with my drink.
«1

Replies

  • bkibbs
    bkibbs Posts: 106 Member
    For breakfast: McDonalds Egg McMuffin and unsweetened iced tea: 305 cal

    FYI, they load of on sodium in pretty much any fast food place, so you'll have to watch for that in your macros.
  • funsteps
    funsteps Posts: 74 Member
    McDonald's Southwest Chicken Salad is 390 with grilled chicken and dressing. 290 with no dressing. Sometimes I add a side of apple slices, bringing the meal to 405.
  • hoosier124
    hoosier124 Posts: 4
    I hear you on the sodium part. Thanks for the tip!
  • hoosier124
    hoosier124 Posts: 4
    Yum! I have never ordered a salad from McD's. I will have to try that one. Thanks! LOVE the side of apples. I always pick those up wherever I can get them!
  • lauralind5
    lauralind5 Posts: 133 Member
    McMuffin with only half the muffin (i take off hte top, thats a savings of 80 calories)
    Wendys sells their salads in a half portion
    Wendys to go wraps
    Hardees chicken strips 3 are less than 300 calories


    Most places have a better choice. But like a previous poster said, they all have a lot of salt.
  • 80lbslost
    80lbslost Posts: 93 Member
    Taco Bell's Fresco menu is under 400 calories or Mcdonald's premium grilled chicken sandwich is 350 cal or their grilled chicken wraps.
  • 2012Brenda
    2012Brenda Posts: 56
    Traveling and short on time? Go prepared. I had one today. I bought an individual one at Wal-mart but guessing you could get it at most random grocery stores, drug-stores, ect. Also good for the chocolate and PB cravings.

    Supreme Protein bar 30g 9/25/12 - Chocolate Peanut Butter Wafer Crunch

    Servings: 84 g 1 g
    Calories 400 Sodium 200 mg
    Total Fat 19 g Potassium 135 mg
    Saturated 12 g Total Carbs 25 g
    Polyunsaturated 0 g Dietary Fiber 1 g
    Monounsaturated 0 g Sugars 8 g
    Trans 0 g Protein 30 g
    Cholesterol 15 mg
    Vitamin A 30% Calcium 10%
    Vitamin C 20% Iron 10%
  • goofylove89
    goofylove89 Posts: 14 Member
    Dion's half Greek salad without croutons is 180....you can add one piece of cheese bread also about 180. Then I dip my salad to minimize the dressing and add in about 30 more calories all together about 390. Sometimes I just get the salad....and use spray dressing for only about 185.
  • TONYAGOOCH
    TONYAGOOCH Posts: 470 Member
    Popeye's Chicken & Biscuit's Louisiana Leaux menu
    Subway Sandwich's
    Taco Bueno - Bueno Choice Menu
    Pizza Hut 12" Fit & Delicious pizzas range from 150-180 calories per slice
    Fazoli's has an under 400 calorie menu

    If you look up a lot of the restaraunts, most of them will have a nutritional value menu. The ones that don't, you maybe able to email and ask for one. I would print them off and put in a binder to keep in the car for reference.
  • downinaggieland98
    downinaggieland98 Posts: 224 Member
    Panera has some good salads! The turkey harvest one and the chicken cobb with avocado - both under if you leave off the dressing or only use some of it.

    I also get Mission Burrito bowls and use shredded lettuce instead of rice.
  • redheaddee
    redheaddee Posts: 2,005 Member
    I second the fresco menu @ Taco Bell, and ironically enough, the fresco has more flavor!

    I am currently eating a Wendy's 1/2 salad, apple pecan chicken with the pecans & dressing, 340 calories. Plenty filling and yummy =)
  • JenRLo
    JenRLo Posts: 95 Member
    My favorite at McDonalds that fills me is:

    Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette (no croutons) and a Fruit & Yogurt Parfait: 363 cals, 9 g fat, 31 g protein, 825 g sodium (yikes!)
  • lizboquist
    lizboquist Posts: 4 Member
    you can never go wrong with subway! And they have a breakfast menu as well! Also, Wawa has tons of healthy low calorie options that aren't high in sodium like other fast food options.

    Most fast food places are making their nutritional values of food easily accessible now, which is helpful :)
  • asasser2002
    asasser2002 Posts: 26
    Bump to read later for ideas! :)
  • mgoetsch1982
    mgoetsch1982 Posts: 339 Member
    Subway has a lot of choices that stay under 400 calories but you have to watch the sodium! All of their meats (other than the oven roasted chicken) are super high in sodium. I either get the oven roasted chicken on the 9 grain wheat with no cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and green pepper. Sometimes I'll add light mayo but it depends on what my calorie intake has been for the day. Most of the time I can have it and not worry. You can also go to subway's website and see how the nutritional content will be for any sub with the toppings of your choosing. So you can see exactly what a slice of cheese will add!
  • Francesca3162
    Francesca3162 Posts: 520 Member
    I just traveled for the last five days and if I am in the same place two or more days, I will go to grocery store and buy prepared salad in a bag, a lemon and some vinegar and oil and make my own dressing.. I carry a rubbermaid container to shake my salad.

    I always have fresh fruit in the car, and I pop popcorn in my air popper and pack it in zip lock bags or bring ricecakes and eat those to "FILL UP".

    Then if I have to grab a meal, I can usually afford to stop in real restaurant and eat at bar, OR stop at on Thruway and grab a burger naked, and eat only half of bun with mustard!
  • Cherbear67
    Cherbear67 Posts: 245 Member
    I second the fresco menu @ Taco Bell, and ironically enough, the fresco has more flavor!

    I am currently eating a Wendy's 1/2 salad, apple pecan chicken with the pecans & dressing, 340 calories. Plenty filling and yummy =)


    I love this.. I have to eat out every night due to my job and this is what I end up eating most of the time..lol
  • healthy4heidi
    healthy4heidi Posts: 113 Member
    Mcdonald's premium grilled chicken sandwich is 350

    I was there last week and they told me they didn't have any grilled chicken sandwiches besides their bacon ranch chicken sandwich. Liars!!!! I wonder if it's a location or regional thing?

    I had a salad instead - the southwest one. It was good.
  • kooltray87
    kooltray87 Posts: 501 Member
    I agree with all things grilled chicken from Wendys and Mcdonalds! The best prices for the lowest cals.
  • Cherbear67
    Cherbear67 Posts: 245 Member
    I am a designated driver and eat out every night. I live in Canada so can't tell you a lot of those places.. I have grabbed menu's from a lot of these bars and restaurants and have managed nicely..

    The 1/2 pecan chicken salad from Wendy's tends to be my favourite.
  • kelseyhere
    kelseyhere Posts: 1,123 Member
    Jack in the Box salads are actually pretty tasty. They are closer to 600-700 cals, but they are HUGE so you can save half for later. They are very reasonable especially if you only use half the dressing.

    Starbucks is my other go-to place when I'm on the road because they always post all the nutrition information and have some pretty healthy choices. Their breakfast wraps are all about 300 calories and actually taste good.
  • kooltray87
    kooltray87 Posts: 501 Member
    Mcdonald's premium grilled chicken sandwich is 350

    I was there last week and they told me they didn't have any grilled chicken sandwiches besides their bacon ranch chicken sandwich. Liars!!!! I wonder if it's a location or regional thing?

    I had a salad instead - the southwest one. It was good.

    OMG they totally lied to you lol...and if it is regional, you should move! lol
  • Karebear_68
    Karebear_68 Posts: 67
    Bump!
  • cristeberga
    cristeberga Posts: 251 Member
    bump for future use.
  • MrsKrebs1
    MrsKrebs1 Posts: 2
    McDonald's snack wraps aren't bad-grilled chicken.
    Also the fruit parfait.
  • bethany1031
    bethany1031 Posts: 40 Member
    Bumpity Bump!
  • Jena_72
    Jena_72 Posts: 1,057
    key things to remember NO Mayo (or sauce in wraps)
    and No Pickles to keep the sodium down more
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Fast food is typically low on nutrition and taste, and high on sodium and/or sugar and/or fat. I'd pack myself a lunch.
  • dallen388
    dallen388 Posts: 22
    Love all of these ideas!! Whoever posted this topic is genius ;-) lol But sodium is def the worst part about eating out regardless eating healthy or not. It is just unreal. Sodium is my worst enemy even at home ;-(
  • melissafaith24
    melissafaith24 Posts: 251 Member
    Taco Bell's Fresco Soft Chicken Burrito with a side of blackbeans is yummy and = 230 cals.

Categories