salad at mcdonald's, other mcd's foods?... :)

kindredspirit96
kindredspirit96 Posts: 62 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I planned before I went, to get a "cobb salad" -- and when I got to mcd with my kids, they didn't have that anymore (at least not in my region). So I got a Caesar salad with grilled chicken, and got the LOW FAT Italian dressing -- two packets. Wow, it was yummy. I couldn't believe how good it was and it filled me up.

However, if I was driving, and in a pinch, and went thru the drive thru, I couldn't get a salad, because you can't easily eat it while driving (not safely anyway).

Those of you who do go thru the drive thru sometimes (I know a lot of you don't), is there anything else besides salad that you get, that is healthy-ish, or not devastating on your log sheet?
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Replies

  • thisismeraw
    thisismeraw Posts: 1,264 Member
    I tend not to get a salad when I go to McDonalds. Their salads aren't the highest of quality and can be more calories than a large fry. When I go to mcdonalds because I'm in a rush I just get some fries and a diet pop. It holds me over until I can get home.

    Even when we don't have a ton of time there is always time for five mins to go into a pita restaurant and get a healthy pita... those can be easy to eat while driving (however check your laws as it can be illegal to eat while driving... it is where I am).
  • Bekahmardis
    Bekahmardis Posts: 602 Member
    When I'm stuck and can't get anything else, I go for a grilled chicken sandwich; it seems to be the lesser of all the evils there....
  • CoffeeLover2
    CoffeeLover2 Posts: 2
    I try not to eat too much fast food, but when I'm out with the grandkids and they want McDonalds, I will usually just get a hamburger kids meal with diet soda or milk. I figure it's so-so portion controlled and easier to eat if I am driving. The salads at McD's aren't all that healthy for you. I have been pushing the grandkids for Subway more often, because of the fresher ingredients. Then if I wanna sweet treat I don't feel so bad and the food usually keeps me fuller for longer.
  • sunlover89
    sunlover89 Posts: 436 Member
    Is there a reason you have to go to Mcdonalds. Can you not get a little cooler bag with a sandwich, fruit etc?
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    The grilled chicken classic without mayo isn't too bad for 300 calories. Lately I've been getting the sweet chile McWrap though and I admit it's pretty good and filling for 360 calories (more than the grilled chicken sandwich), but it can get messy.

    For the poster above, the grilled chicken caesar salad is 190 calories, I wouldn't call that more calories than a large fries, especially as it doesn't have much fat at all. And it's not bad, really. The low fat Italian vinaigrette is 50 calories a package or something... it's a pretty filling meal for 240 calories.
  • chandanista
    chandanista Posts: 986 Member
    I prefer to go to Burger King instead of McDonalds. I like the veggie burger (hold the mayo) and side salad, which I eat without dressing as the cheese more than makes up for it.

    When I take the kids to McDonalds for a treat, I get a berry smoothie.
  • Mrsallypants
    Mrsallypants Posts: 887 Member
    Just about anything grilled chicken. The beef at fast food places is extremely fatty. Besides the crappy white carbs, fatty sauce or dressing, and huge amounts of sodium, a grilled chicken sandwich isn't that bad.
  • Vailara
    Vailara Posts: 2,467 Member
    I don't know if it's different in the UK, but the wraps are OK. Calories vary, but they're all under 500. There's also the children's meals, if you want something smaller - they do apple or carrot instead of fries, but they're not very exciting! There's the Saver menu if you want smaller portions, and you could have a salad side dish.
  • kindredspirit96
    kindredspirit96 Posts: 62 Member
    Wow, thank you, everybody!!!

    Yes, I should carry a cooler with me. That's what I'm realizing. Losing weight is more about what you do before you leave the house (or the night before), than what you do that day. Meaning: if you pack yourself some yummy healthy sandwiches, fruit, raw vegetables, and put in a cooler for the car, you're setting yourself up for success. :)

    But when I don't have a cooler, and am starving, in a panic, if I go thru the drivethru, I at least have some options.
  • kindredspirit96
    kindredspirit96 Posts: 62 Member
    I'll have to look and see if we have any pita restaurants near me. We have a lot of restaurants, but not a lot of "fast"/quick ones, in my opinion, that are "healthy". But I do think McD's has a lot more healthy choices than others.

    What we need is a HEALTHY fast food place, where you can go thru the drivethru and get fresh fruit, grilled chicken sandwhich with low fat mayo and romaine, etc......
    Even when we don't have a ton of time there is always time for five mins to go into a pita restaurant and get a healthy pita... those can be easy to eat while driving (however check your laws as it can be illegal to eat while driving... it is where I am).
  • sorcha1977
    sorcha1977 Posts: 133 Member
    The McDonald's near me has apple slices, and the 3-piece chicken selects (chicken tenders) are 380 calories. They're made with breast meat, unlike the McNuggets.
  • kindredspirit96
    kindredspirit96 Posts: 62 Member
    (Oh, and I find that it's not the McD's salads that are heavy in calories or fat, is the "regular" dressing. Like, the not light dressing. Any of the light dressings are verrrrry light, as in 2.5 grams fat and 40 calories for the whole big packet. You could use two packets of dressing and still only have 5 grams fat, 80 calories of light dressing. And it's yummy cause it's the Newman's Own light Italian. The salads at McD are more calories and fat if they have crispy chicken -- which they don't offer here, as far as I could find. Only the grilled chicken are offered here.)
  • kkclif
    kkclif Posts: 155 Member
    I love their southwest chicken salad. It's awesome even without the dressing..I never use it. The McDonald's by me has McWraps. If you get it with grilled chicken and no dressing its 300 something calories, I don't remember the exact number because it's been a while, but not bad. They're huge too.
  • harleygroomer
    harleygroomer Posts: 373 Member
    In a pinch I will have a fish filet with NO sauce--other than that there isn't much to be had THERE
  • gracielynn1011
    gracielynn1011 Posts: 726 Member
    The grilled chicken wrap is good. Really though, if it comes down to a salad or a burger, since I'm eating out anyway I would rather get a small cheeseburger and small fries. I can fit that into my lunch allowance and have a healthier option for dinner to balance out the sodium and fat.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    The grilled chicken wrap is good. Really though, if it comes down to a salad or a burger, since I'm eating out anyway I would rather get a small cheeseburger and small fries. I can fit that into my lunch allowance and have a healthier option for dinner to balance out the sodium and fat.

    I'd be totally starving with a cheeseburger and small fries, personally... while the mcwrap or the salad keeps me full a while.

    I've found Burger King to be horrible for healthier food. I couldn't even find a salad with less than 400 calories and 14g of fat or something... without dressing. Yikes.

    If you have a taco bell, the fresco tacos are good and only 150 calories (chicken).
  • kindredspirit96
    kindredspirit96 Posts: 62 Member
    I do have a taco bell. Are the fresco tacos yummy? Do they have cheese?

    That's without salsa, right?
  • QuilterInVA
    QuilterInVA Posts: 672 Member
    You need to go to McDonald's website and read the ingredients in that grilled chicken - more than 50. I never eat fast food. There just isn't any that is healthy.
  • DanaHerro
    DanaHerro Posts: 186 Member
    Wow, thank you, everybody!!!

    Yes, I should carry a cooler with me. That's what I'm realizing. Losing weight is more about what you do before you leave the house (or the night before), than what you do that day. Meaning: if you pack yourself some yummy healthy sandwiches, fruit, raw vegetables, and put in a cooler for the car, you're setting yourself up for success. :)

    But when I don't have a cooler, and am starving, in a panic, if I go thru the drivethru, I at least have some options.

    I totally get you :) However, I just started packing stuff. I know my schedule for the day way in advance - I use Google calendar for my entire life so it's not like I don't know if I am going to have a nonstop day without time to come home and cook. I used to make excuses like, "I don't have time so I have to hit a drive through" But now I'm realizing that that was a choice I made. I know for a fact that I can spare ten extra minutes to pack myself a healthy lunch to take in the car with me. I even log it into MFP ahead of time for the mental kick in the *kitten* that, "THIS is what you are eating and don't even try to *kitten* around with McDonalds!"

    It took a few weeks to get used to, but now it's SUPER easy. Give it a try! :)
  • EngineerPrincess
    EngineerPrincess Posts: 306 Member
    I used to love McDonalds, but since I got sensitive to wheat and am now hypoglycemic (probably because I ate super unhealthy as a teen) I get sick whatever I eat there. If I absolutely must get fast food I opt for El Pollo Loco and go for 2-3 taco al carbons.
  • makoob
    makoob Posts: 2
    I don;t get mcd's often but when I do I get the snack wrap with grilled chicken and the fruit parfait.. the parfait has 150 calories and the snack wrap about 230 to 270 depending on what kind.
  • kindredspirit96
    kindredspirit96 Posts: 62 Member
    Ok, sounds great. Thank you! :heart:
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I do have a taco bell. Are the fresco tacos yummy? Do they have cheese?

    That's without salsa, right?

    I really like them. They don't have cheese, just chicken, pico de galo, and shredded lettuce. That's not counting the salsa but you don't really need it plus from what I've seen online their salsa has almost no calories?
  • jillianbeeee
    jillianbeeee Posts: 345 Member
    Mcdonalds snack wrap is my go to there
    Nutrition Facts
    Calories in Mcdonald snack wrap

    Serving Size: 1 serving
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 260.0
  • MyJourney1960
    MyJourney1960 Posts: 1,133 Member
    Wow, thank you, everybody!!!

    Yes, I should carry a cooler with me. That's what I'm realizing. Losing weight is more about what you do before you leave the house (or the night before), than what you do that day. Meaning: if you pack yourself some yummy healthy sandwiches, fruit, raw vegetables, and put in a cooler for the car, you're setting yourself up for success. :)

    But when I don't have a cooler, and am starving, in a panic, if I go thru the drivethru, I at least have some options.

    I totally get you :) However, I just started packing stuff. I know my schedule for the day way in advance - I use Google calendar for my entire life so it's not like I don't know if I am going to have a nonstop day without time to come home and cook. I used to make excuses like, "I don't have time so I have to hit a drive through" But now I'm realizing that that was a choice I made. I know for a fact that I can spare ten extra minutes to pack myself a healthy lunch to take in the car with me. I even log it into MFP ahead of time for the mental kick in the *kitten* that, "THIS is what you are eating and don't even try to *kitten* around with McDonalds!"

    It took a few weeks to get used to, but now it's SUPER easy. Give it a try! :)
    I agree. It's easy to find excuses why you HAVE TO go to a drive thru but I don't think anyone reaaly has to. I'm not a fan of the whole gobbling down fast . now if you have some unforeseen emergency situation and you need to get something, then I would go with a grilled chicken wrap or sandwich
  • hgycta
    hgycta Posts: 3,013 Member
    I don't know if anyone posted this or not yet, sorry if I'm repeating someone else!
    YOU NEED TO TRY THE SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN SALAD. It is my favorite salad ever! I usually get it with crispy chicken which is 450 calories, but that's only because I'm not a huge dressing person and I remember hearing that it's good to have some fat when eating salad, so that your body can better absorb the nutrients. But I've also had their grilled chicken southwestern salad and they're both amazing<33 you must try it sometime! :)
  • Paigeballetdancer
    Paigeballetdancer Posts: 11
    The smoothies are amazing! A snack size only has 130 calories
  • princesspea234
    princesspea234 Posts: 182 Member
    If I'm craving McDonalds, I'll get a hamburger kids meal. Decent calories. I prefer Chick-fil-a if I'm going to eat a chicken sandwich. It's juicier than any other chicken sandwiches. I also love making my own "salads" from taco bell with a crunchy taco, a side of black beans and a side of lettuce. Subway is by far the most filling though. 280 calories for a turkey on wheat...no cheese and I won't be hungry for a solid 4 hours....plus lots of vitamins! Even their tea has vitamins added in!
  • kwennerholm
    kwennerholm Posts: 13 Member
    Honestly? Do some research and stick with the salads. I used to work at McDonalds and can never eat there anymore. The grilled chicken is NOT healthy. When you cook it on the grill, you dump melted butter (an ungodly amount) over the chicken. Try keeping some snacks in your car. Lara bars are so yummy and crazy filling. One will hold me over for several hours.
  • melindasuefritz
    melindasuefritz Posts: 3,509 Member
    too many calories for a salad!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    side salad with low fat vinegerete dressing- 55
    hamburger- 250
    diet coke, water or plain iced tea- 0
    fuit parfait with granola- 150

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