Fast Food - where to go and what to get?

magster4isu
magster4isu Posts: 632 Member
edited November 21 in Food and Nutrition
I'm doing a little road tripping this weekend and due to certian circumstances I will not be able to pack food for the journey. We are on limited time to get to our destination, so we can't stop for a sit down meal. I am stuck with fast food. At the destination of this trip we have some events that will consist of me consuming a lot of calories, so I need to find some low calorie fast food options.

What fast food places do you like to visit now that you are focused on your health and what do you order from those places?

Thank you for all the ideas!!!
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Replies

  • amdev23_23
    amdev23_23 Posts: 68 Member
    Just know, your sodium is going to be out the roof, so drink extra water!

    One of my go-to's is chili from Wendy's. It's good and the nutrition is halfway decent (for fast food). Pair it with one of their salads with a light dressing and you're pretty calorie friendly.

    Taco Bell's fresco style soft tacos aren't half bad calorie wise either, I wanna say 160 each. A couple of those make a decent meal.
  • Unknown
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  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Most places have salads. Just watch the calories in certain toppings and dressings. At your events, portion control is your friend!
  • Noreenmarie1234
    Noreenmarie1234 Posts: 7,492 Member
    Some of my favorites are

    Panera 1/2 classic turkey on sour dough lettuce tomato onion spicy mustard and 1/2 classic cafe salad with poppyseed dressing instead and a fruit cup (comes up to like <300 calories)

    Subway half inch turkey sub on ww

    Subway turkey salad with every single veg and the fat free italian (<200)

    Taco bell shredded chicken soft taco (180 calories)

    Fast food can be very low calorie if you choose wisely! I always get a salad or low calorie option :). Always get dressing on the side or even bring a bottle of your own low calorie dressing.

    Mcdonalds egg white sandwich is low in calories as well as many other egg white options at other fast food places.
  • aeloine
    aeloine Posts: 2,163 Member
    amdev23_23 wrote: »
    Just know, your sodium is going to be out the roof, so drink extra water!

    One of my go-to's is chili from Wendy's. It's good and the nutrition is halfway decent (for fast food). Pair it with one of their salads with a light dressing and you're pretty calorie friendly.

    Taco Bell's fresco style soft tacos aren't half bad calorie wise either, I wanna say 160 each. A couple of those make a decent meal.

    I think the shredded chicken tacos fresco style are 140. DON'T get the burritos. Total basura.

    Sodium will be killer.
  • corgarian
    corgarian Posts: 366 Member
    If you can stop at grocery stores and pick up healthy snacks and lunches. Avoid eating fast food for all of your meals!
    If I'm cutting it close to my daily calorie goals I get salads, wraps and chicken sandwiches. Yesterday I was way under my calorie goal and hangry so I stopped at Churches and got a 3 piece tender meal and I ended my day still under my calorie goal so I dont feel bad.
  • ottermotorcycle
    ottermotorcycle Posts: 654 Member
    The good thing about fast food is they typically list the calories for everything right on the menu, so I don't think you'll have an issue deciding what to eat on the fly. I agree that you'll need water (not coffee or diet soda!) to balance out that sodium intake, and you'll want to get salads often.
  • Pamshebamm181
    Pamshebamm181 Posts: 92 Member
    edited September 2017
    A lot of places really aren't all that bad.

    A crispy chicken sandwich at Wendy's is only 510 calories.
    Pico Guacamole grilled chicken sandwich from McD's is 520 calories.
    3 hard tacos from Taco Bell are the same.
    A steak burrito bowl from Chipotle is 515 calories (incl. rice, veggies, salsa, and cheese.)
    A 6" Subway turkey sub with cheese and mayo is 470 cals.

    Just some examples. Skip the fries and chips and that will help a lot.
    All these fast food chains have info on their websites so take the time to look some up and make a list of which items fit your calorie goals.
  • busyPK
    busyPK Posts: 3,788 Member
    My go-to fast food is...

    Subway: most 6" subs minus the cheese
    Wendy's: plain baked potato with butter and small chili OR a spicy chicken sandwich OR large chili
    Chick Fil A: chicken sandwich and skip the fries OR chicken tortilla soup OR nuggets with side salad
    Fazoli's: half of any meal or their pick 2 lunch deal and zero or 1 breadstick
    MCD's: breakfast sandwich and yogurt parfait
  • RandJ6280
    RandJ6280 Posts: 1,161 Member
    amdev23_23 wrote: »
    Just know, your sodium is going to be out the roof, so drink extra water!

    One of my go-to's is chili from Wendy's. It's good and the nutrition is halfway decent (for fast food). Pair it with one of their salads with a light dressing and you're pretty calorie friendly.

    Taco Bell's fresco style soft tacos aren't half bad calorie wise either, I wanna say 160 each. A couple of those make a decent meal.

    I LOOVEEEEEE Wendy's chili. And add the chili sauce.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    I plan for stops in my calories ahead of time, website's from various fast food restaurants allow you get a good estimate on the calories. I also carry my own sweetener (liquid stevia) for coffee and unsweetened tea.

    Chick fil et: 8 or 12 piece grilled nuggets, side salad (may or may not opt for a small fry)

    McDonald's: Egg White Grill deluxe, hash brown, black coffee, tea or diet drink

    Wendy's: Plain baked potato, small chili, may or may not add a side salad

    Wendy's: Junior Bacon Cheeseburger, side salad

    Taco Bell: Soft or crunchy tacos, or soft taco supreme


    just to name a few..



  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Wendy's plain baked potato topped with a small chili.

    Arby's Turkey Gyro (light or no sauce).

    Burger King Whopper Jr (light or no sauce).
  • RandJ6280
    RandJ6280 Posts: 1,161 Member
    lorrpb wrote: »
    Most places have salads. Just watch the calories in certain toppings and dressings. At your events, portion control is your friend!

    That is what I'm working on and it seems to be what is kicking my weight loss journey.
  • RandJ6280
    RandJ6280 Posts: 1,161 Member
    Thank-you @magster4isu for starting this thread... LOTS of great ideas.
  • ccruz985
    ccruz985 Posts: 646 Member
    Wendy's Apple Pecan Chicken Salad is delish, the full one is 560 cals and pretty great. Chick-Fil-A has a delicious Grilled Chicken Club that's 430 cals and a Grilled Market Salad that's 330 cals. Map out your route, plan your stops ahead of time, and look up their menus online to tailor your meals for you.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    A lot of places have salads.
    I might get a regular burger, side salad with vinaigrette dressing and unsweetened iced tea.
    I sometimes split fries with someone.

    Subway you can pick and choose what goes on your sandwich. If you go light on condiments and cheese it isn't too bad.

    Don't forget grocery stores/convenience stores along the way where you might get more options of food or drinks as well.
  • JustRobby1
    JustRobby1 Posts: 674 Member
    Taco Bell's Fresco tacos are a staple of my fast food diary adds. I go there at least a couple of times a week. Also (and I have to thank the people of these forums for this one) but Panda Express has now been added to the rotation with several selections under 500 cals. Chick-Fil-A rounds out my top 3. The grilled sandwich and cool wrap are my go to's. Also, Chick-Fil-A has a breakfast sandwich called the egg white grill that is phenomenal. If the AM lines at my local Chick-Fil-A did not routinely stretch from here to China, I would get it more often.
  • MainahGirl
    MainahGirl Posts: 282 Member
    I've noticed a lot of people have mentioned Subway. It's definitely one of the healthier fast food options. If I eat there, I ask the server to hull out the middle of the bread. It'll save you some calories and you can add more veggies. I also don't add cheese since you really don't notice it anyway. If you can avoid mayo and just add mustard or no condiment at all, your sandwich can be pretty low calorie. A ham or turkey 6 inch with hulled out bread, veggies and mustard is around 250 cals. Safe travels!
  • Spliner1969
    Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
    Sodium is always going to be off the charts. Pretty much figure your entire daily allotment of sodium in one fast food meal, so as suggested, drink lots of water to compensate. Some of my favorites:

    Subway! Any sub on the menu, and their chopped salads are pretty darn good. Skip the dressing and use your own low calorie version.
    Applebees: Lighter Fare menu, most are really good, especially the salads.
    Arby's: Seem to be higher protein and lower fat than most burger places. You may want to stay away from the sides, they are horrible for calories.
    McDonald's: Wraps, Salads, or some breakfast sandwiches (Egg White Delight) are pretty good.
    Taco Bell: Depending on what you order it's not all bad on the calories but isn't going to be the lowest option.

    Pretty much any seafood you find is going to be fried in oil and that's going to hike up the calories. LJS probably has some baked versions that aren't terrible but I don't find them very flavorful either.

    I personally stick with Subway or Arby's. If we want to sit down somewhere I go for Applebees or look for the lighter or lower calorie menu, many places will have them. You can't really trust the calorie count to be that accurate, but it's good for an estimate.
  • debtay123
    debtay123 Posts: 1,327 Member
    Wendy has several salads which are great- I love the power Mediterranean salad-(I always get the half size), the apple chicken pecan is awesome as well- both for half size are within 250-350 calories. I like any burger place- BUT I get the regular( kids) burger no mayo and LOTS of veggies.
  • slessofme
    slessofme Posts: 7,740 Member
    I have started getting a 4" sandwich at Subway. Sliders at Arby's. Egg McMuffin meal at McDonalds - I love that they have all day breakfast now.
  • Cbean08
    Cbean08 Posts: 1,092 Member
    You can always call ahead to a restaurant and have them do a ToGo order. If you know you will be passing somewhere that you regularly eat out at, call them up and have it ready when you arrive. Granted, restaurant food can be just as bad, if not worse, than fast food. But, you might have a better selection. You can always ask a restaurant to prepare a veggie side and add some meat.

    Starbucks has a new food menu out with some good options. They also have a good oatmeal. If you skip the toppings, the sugar is low. Add a banana and some yogurt for a full meal. The spinach, egg white wrap is also good.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    I agree with what most are saying, just exercise caution and grab extra water and you should be good to go. I feel like most fast food places aren't too horrible calorie-wise as long as you order smart and steer clear of the combo "deals" with big orders of fries, or high cal drinks like slushes, malts, shakes, etc. Which of course being on MFP I'm sure you wouldn't go that route anyway.

    I usually choose a smaller sized burger (i.e., kid size, value menu) or double meat, extra veggies, and no cheese, I also do a lot of half-bun (McDonald's and Arby's especially). Shaving off a good 70-90 calories for half a bun is easy and I don't miss it, honestly.

    I rarely order salads at fast food joints because they're often expensive and ONLY taste good with the crazy dressings and other toppings (dried sweetened fruit for example).

    One of my favorites for fast food is Taco Bell. That is crazy to me because I didn't go there for about ten years. But recently I've discovered their fresco options and the dollar cheesy bean & rice burrito packs quite a calorie punch at 440-ish I think, but it's VERY filling.

    Panda Express just about any of their entrees (usually orange chicken) with mixed steamed veggies is decent and they seem to be everywhere these days.
  • Sunshine_And_Sand
    Sunshine_And_Sand Posts: 1,320 Member
    Subway.
    Chic Fil-A has good salads or order grilled chicken sandwich or grilled nuggets
    Also, the southwest salad with grilled chicken from McD's has a lot of flavor and is low cal
  • Sunshine_And_Sand
    Sunshine_And_Sand Posts: 1,320 Member
    BTW I think the calorie count on the McD's salad I mentioned above includes the cilantro lime glaze which is pretty good and u won't need to get extra dressing (I find that depending on which location u go to, sometimes they forget to put it on if u don't ask them to)
  • OkChargerFan
    OkChargerFan Posts: 371 Member
    In N Out - Double Double w/grilled onions and fries!
  • citygator
    citygator Posts: 10 Member
    Lunch
    Subway - Wraps
    Wendy’s - Large chili

    Breakfast
    McD’s - Egg white delight
    ChicFila - Egg white grill

  • Famof72015
    Famof72015 Posts: 393 Member
    Keep them coming! Haha
  • Janice6543
    Janice6543 Posts: 92 Member
    Burrito joints like qdoba or Chipotle. Skip the tortilla and get a burrito salad with lettuce, meat, beans and salsa.
  • nowine4me
    nowine4me Posts: 3,985 Member
    Didn't read the whole thread -- but my go-to is Subway Veggie Delite on whole grain flat bread, 12" no condiments or cheese and 2 packs of their sliced apples. Have fun.
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