Fast food places do you frequent and what do you get there?

NYCNika
NYCNika Posts: 611 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Being on a health kick has eliminated small restaurants that do not post calories, and pushed me towards places with calories posted, which mostly tend to be chains.
I am a bit bored with my selections and looking for fresh ideas.

So I mostly get Pret -- small 290 cal sandwich (or half baguette sandwich) and lentil and couscous pod (100 cal).

Or Cosi signature salad without blue cheese but with regular dressing (fat is a must have for nutrients to be absorbed properly). I eat 1/3 of the flatbread.

I tried Chop'd, was not so impressed, but I guess it is passable.

I like the Yogurt Land place, but too far from me.

My downfall -- Pret's almond croissant.... Yum. I am trying to limit it to one time per week now. Sometimes I fold and get it twice a week. But I used to get it every day, and on occasions when I see them taking the hot ones out of the oven I used to get 2. Ouch.

There is also Le Pain Quotidien (to go section is nothing imaginative) and Chipotle (though if I go there I'd have to get no rice, no sour cream, no cheese) and eat half.

What about you? What do you eat frequently and what is your downfall?
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Replies

  • ahviendha
    ahviendha Posts: 1,291 Member
    chipotle! they know me and my bf on sight..haha

    brown rice bowl, fajita veggies, half chicken half steak, hot sauce, lettuce and guac.

    :bigsmile:
  • lorib75
    lorib75 Posts: 490 Member
    I'm doing Atkins ( keep it to yourself please) and if I go to McDonald's I usually get a McDouble no bun.
  • dewsmom78
    dewsmom78 Posts: 498 Member
    I'm in a smaller town, so I eat subway when I'm eating healthy. My favorite fast food is Culvers. And actually a single hamburger is only 300 calories, so it's not terrible, just have a salad with it instead of a a large fri and coke. I treat myself to Culvers about once a month.
  • freshstart14
    freshstart14 Posts: 49 Member
    I'm in NYC too and I struggle with this. I get Hale & Hearty a lot when they have soup that I like that is also lower in calorie on that day's menu.. I also sometimes get a salad they mix there.

    Cosi's tuscan chicken sandwich isn't too bad for half.

    Europa cafe also has some soups but they tend to be crazy high in sodium.

    I tend to eat the same things over and over if I don't bring my own food because it takes me forever to plan out a lunch that isn't high in cals.
  • alasin1derland
    alasin1derland Posts: 575 Member
    Harveys, original burger, salad, diet pepsi
  • bananapancakebella
    bananapancakebella Posts: 178
    I get a big mac at least weekly.
  • yellowdog52
    yellowdog52 Posts: 14
    Chipotle: Chicken salad, black beans, plenty of salsa. Hold the rice, sour cream, and cheese. Throw on some guacamole if I've been good.
  • zillah73
    zillah73 Posts: 505 Member
    Only "fast food" I ever eat is Subway. Either 6" Veggie Delight or Veggie Patty on Whole Wheat, no mayo.
  • exquisitecadavre
    exquisitecadavre Posts: 51
    I go to Chipotle! =]
    I get a bowl with brown rice, chicken, hot salsa, and sour cream (yes, I love sour cream so I get it regardless..so no cheese).
  • Bevkus
    Bevkus Posts: 274 Member
    6 piece chicken nugget meal with salad instead of fries
  • AmyMgetsfit
    AmyMgetsfit Posts: 636 Member
    I don't really care for fast food. I will eat Culvers maybe 4 or 5 times a year, usually when I am coming back from the airport. I love their breaded pork tenderloin, but oh so not healthy for you. I like their fish sandwich also. I am not a french fry lover.

    Also Panda Express maybe once a year, I like the orange chicken and steamed rice
  • transvenouspacer
    transvenouspacer Posts: 182 Member
    Taco Bell-2 Chicken Fresco tacos (150 cals each)

    Subway- 6" Club with all veggies, no dressing (350 cals)

    Panda Express-Kung Pao Chicken, Peppercorn Shrimp, or Black Pepper Chicken with veggies and/or steamed rice (about 240-350
    cals with veggies)

    Rubio's Fresh Mex-3 carnitas street tacos (100 cals each)

    I've never eaten at Chipotle but I've made a solemn promise to myself that someday I will!
  • nokanjaijo
    nokanjaijo Posts: 466 Member
    There is a place here in San Diego called Rubio's that I adore. I also do Chipotle, burrito bowl with no rice. After that it is pretty much Souplantation (Sweet Tomato) or a local Thai place called Kati. If I'm not eating at one of those places, I'm cooking.
  • skydiveD30571
    skydiveD30571 Posts: 281 Member
    I'm doing Atkins ( keep it to yourself please) and if I go to McDonald's I usually get a McDouble no bun.

    That made me laugh. Nevermind the fact that so many people know of the major health consequences that can be associated with that diet, just don't say anything.

    Another Chipotle fan! Burrito bowl eliminates the tortilla, and you can pack it with meats and beans and veggies. And with their nutritional calculator online you can custom create a meal based on your macros for the day.
  • Selunca
    Selunca Posts: 208 Member
    Wendy's Chili, 310 calories for a large with nothing added. Though the sodium is out of this world so I try to limit it, but its so good, especially during the winter. <3
  • ModoVincere
    ModoVincere Posts: 530 Member
    Chipolte and Zaxby's are about it for fast food for me.
    At chipotle I get a burrito bowl with everything.....so I don't go very often.
    At Zaxby's it's wings 'n things with nuclear sauce....so I don't go very often.
  • dodgersprincess
    dodgersprincess Posts: 77
    Subway, and I like to get something that is less then 500 Cal. then i get the Green Tea and there goes that.
  • scress0514
    scress0514 Posts: 51 Member
    WOW, I havent eaten fast food in 5-6 yrs
  • tangerine6392
    tangerine6392 Posts: 7 Member
    Panera Bread. I get a chicken Caesar salad. Not because its healthy, I just like it. And a baguette since they're yummy. I also do Subway, I get a 6" wheat sub with ham lettuce and mustard. I realllllly need to try Chipotle. I've been wanting to try it for like a year and just haven't had a chance.
  • cindygretz
    cindygretz Posts: 94
    My new addiction is Hardees Grilled Cod, low carb (no bun)
  • ReinasWrath
    ReinasWrath Posts: 1,173 Member
    I go to subway way too much :laugh: If I ever hit up Mcdonalds or any other generic burger place and I'm trying to not go over my calories I usually go with the chicken sandwich grilled and a smoothie or water. I've found at most places that is a pretty safe meal to go for.

    And I've never had chipotle >o< that one is on like everyone's lists! What am i missing out on?! Gahh :<
  • juliemouse83
    juliemouse83 Posts: 6,663 Member
    I adore Taco Bell, but haven’t been since my birthday last year (which was late June).

    Love me some Subway, tho...
  • CrystalWalks
    CrystalWalks Posts: 84 Member
    Chick - Fila Grilled Chicken Sandwhich on Wheat or Chick - Filas Chicken Salad Sandwhich on Wheat...with a fruit cup very healthy good and low cal.
  • jadlpc222
    jadlpc222 Posts: 15
    I really like the fresco menu from Taco Bell too. Cheap, and low cal for sure.
    I am a sucker for Popeye's and Wendy's, but try to avoid it if possible. I also like Subway, which is easy to customize as we all know.
  • northfresh
    northfresh Posts: 111
    I rarely eat fast food, but I have aad crazy coffee addiction! When I go to a cafe almost always treating myself to a 12oz non fate quad shot latte, no syrup. Otherwise I drink black drip at home.

    I do however work as a cook at a bar, which is in my opinion fast and tempting food. So I try to feed off the salad line and snack on carrots as much as possible and avoid burgers and fries.
  • kuderstadt
    kuderstadt Posts: 134 Member
    Subway 6" ham is good on calories and if I'm stuck at mcD's I get a chicken salad (of the month) with no dressing and no nuts.
    We really don't eat out much, maybe once a month so it's not such a big deal.
  • TheCaren
    TheCaren Posts: 894 Member
    Panda Express. I get the steamed veggies and a couple of their low cal meat dishes. I can get outta there for under 600 calories and have a ton of protein and a very happy tummy.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    I stop at McD's often for breakfast. #2: Sausage & Egg McMuffin w/ Cheese, Hashbrown, Large coffee.

    My other fast food fave's are The Whopper or Whopper Jr meal from BK, or Double Decker Taco Supremes from Taco Bell
  • OSUloulou
    OSUloulou Posts: 74 Member
    Chipotle for sure! I could eat every meal there. Subway is decent, but not my favorite. Wendys (Chili and Baked Potato) is good too.
  • jcjsjones
    jcjsjones Posts: 571 Member
    My go-to places when I'm too busy to cook are Panera, Subway, or Chick Fil A. I don't eat out a lot, but with a full time job, school, and husband on midnights, and 2 very active kids it unavoidable at times. All places are high in sodium, but the calorie counts are reasonable.

    Panera: Either a 1/2 Fuji Apple Chicken Salad or the 1/2 Thai Chicken Salad (both are yummo), and chicken noodle soup or vegetable pesto soup....and of course a baguette :devil: . (Around 450 calories)

    Subway: A 6 in Turkey Breast on Wheat (sometimes with Ham), all veggies, no cheese, no sauce, salt and pepper. (Around 350 calories)

    Chick Fil A: Grilled Chicken Meal with a Side Salad, LIght Italian Dressing, and a Diet Lemonade (no croutons, no BBQ sauce on chicken) (Around 450 calories)

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