Low calorie, low cost "fast food" favorites?

grendel322
grendel322 Posts: 105 Member
edited October 1 in Food and Nutrition
One of the things I like about talking MFP with friends is the tips we share about favortie foods that help us meet our daily goals. Now, I realize I could make more effort to eat healthy ALL the time, but the plain truth is between work, running around, etc., sometimes you just have to grab something on the run. Well, in that spirit of sharing, my "go to" meal has become the grilled chicken honey mustard snack wrap at McDonald's, and a side salad with Newman's low fat Italian dressing. In my neighborhood, that'll run you $2.80, and your total calories is 340. In the snack wrap, you get grilled chicken, some cheese, lettuce, honey mustard sauce....it's actually not bad at all! Personally, I like Newman's dressings, so to get a salad with that for a buck is a steal. Any body else have any others to share?


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Replies

  • xMissAprilx
    xMissAprilx Posts: 143 Member
    That's what I used to eat when I went out. But since I'm a stay at home wife right now, I don't have to worry about finding healthier fast food.
  • vettle
    vettle Posts: 621 Member
    breakfast sandwiches at tim hortons! I get the english muffin with bacon and cheese, and a coffee and it costs about $4.50 and about 350 calories.
  • CALake
    CALake Posts: 269 Member
    Berry Chicken Salad at Wendy's- under 400 calories for the large!
  • Xaspar
    Xaspar Posts: 726 Member
    My go to is the Taco Bell Chicken Soft Taco Fresca Style ... about 150 calories each and about 1.50 each.
  • bethdris
    bethdris Posts: 1,090 Member
    I get the 1/2 baja salad from Wendys..I think its like 3.00 or 4.00 but SOO good! :) 280 cals w/o dressing/chips.
  • rocketpants
    rocketpants Posts: 419 Member
    Chick fillet grilled chicken, and southwestern chicken salad are both go to choices for me.

    A wendy's single (without mayo or cheese) and a small chili are also a favorite. (this is > 600 calories which is ok for me for dinner)

    Mcdonalds oatmeal for breakfast
  • ka_bateman
    ka_bateman Posts: 230 Member
    Carl's Jr Turkey burger...yummy, and less then 500 cals!
  • ka_bateman
    ka_bateman Posts: 230 Member
    My go to is the Taco Bell Chicken Soft Taco Fresca Style ... about 150 calories each and about 1.50 each.

    Love these!
  • shelbygeorge29
    shelbygeorge29 Posts: 263 Member
    Small Wendy's Chili, $1.59;
    210 calories
    21 g Carb
    6 g Fat
    17 g Protein
    7 g Fiber

    Large Wendy's Chili ? $
    310 cals
    36 g Carbs
    9 g Fat
    26 g Protein
    10 g Fiber
  • DanAndMeg
    DanAndMeg Posts: 2
    Wendy's chili...the small cup I had at lunch was around $2.50 and 250 calories (without cheese and crackers)....hope others tell their favorites, I was hoping to see a multitude of options for times when we are out of time, on the road but determined to make the best possible choice available :o)
  • jimgould1
    jimgould1 Posts: 7 Member
    I agree with the Baja Salad. Not sure what the cost was (since I took my kids too) but the Chick Filet Chargrilled Sandwich and Side of Fruit salad was delicious and satisfying. It almost made me forget about the fries!
  • TiffanyA2008
    TiffanyA2008 Posts: 197
    My go to is the Taco Bell Chicken Soft Taco Fresca Style ... about 150 calories each and about 1.50 each.

    YES!! I just had a couple of those a few days ago :)
  • hyde1977
    hyde1977 Posts: 476 Member
    Subway....my favorite!
  • grendel322
    grendel322 Posts: 105 Member
    Now SEE? THAT"S what I'm talking about! I'm already learning of some great other choices. I have to second that Wendy's Berry salad, 400 calories is great for what you get. I think I go with the Mickey D's because it's half the cost and half the calories, but tomorrow?? :happy:
  • SirBen81
    SirBen81 Posts: 396 Member
    Pot Belly's Roast Beef sandwich. Ordered as: Thin-cut, mutligrain bread, no cheese, mustard, and veggie toppings.

    350 Calories, 28g of protein, 7g of fat, 45g of healthy carbs.
  • Lesliecs
    Lesliecs Posts: 930 Member
    I love Chick Fil A - 6 piece chicken nuggets with small fruit cup - 250 calories. And their buffalo dipping sauce is only 10 calories per cup. That's usually my lunch when I forget to bring something to work from home. Whole this is abour $4.00.
  • NiciS72
    NiciS72 Posts: 1,043 Member
    I like a #7, 9, 10, or 11 at Jimmy Johns made in an unwich with all the veggies, hot peppers, mustard, but no cheese, mayo or sauce and it's under 200 except the #9 which is aroudn 250.
  • hether22
    hether22 Posts: 63
    I don't eat out a lot, way too tempting for me to remain in the right calorie count!! But just thought I'd share a new favorite that is so easy to make!
    Wheat tortilla
    Slim Avocado
    Turkey Bacon
    little romaine lettuce, piece of red onion and slice of plum tomato ( I use left over salad usually)
    And it's all under 300 calories!

    This is my new go to meal when I'm hungry and don't have time to cook anything.
  • cblayiii
    cblayiii Posts: 4
    When Im out an about I always get Subway sandwiches or egg muffin sandwiches or Salads which are yummy healthy and filling. I also go to Wendy's and get their half salads there... the BLT one is delish and so is their Mexican style one. Also you should try Taco Bells Al Fresco menu! Lo cal and quick! Carls Jr also has a new turkey burger out that is about 400 calories :happy: just skip the fries!
  • mirnymirn
    mirnymirn Posts: 5
    Order this at El Pollo Loco:

    Loco Salad with No Dressing from Value Menu
    2 Tacos al Carbon from Value Menu
    Avocado Salsa

    When you are ready to eat, unwrap the tacos and get rid of the tortillas, just put the filling in the Loco Salad, along with the Avocado Salsa.

    This will run you about $3.80 and 263 Calories and it's Delicious!
  • tuduis
    tuduis Posts: 67
    Watch that sodiummmmmmmm
  • tuduis
    tuduis Posts: 67
    And saturated fat
  • roxyjo1
    roxyjo1 Posts: 29
    Last night I went to Quizno's and got a regular size oven roasted turkey on whole grain flat bread, no mayo, but added some extra veges. It was huge and totaled 480 cals, which I didn't think was bad for the size. It was under $5.
  • jgic2009
    jgic2009 Posts: 531 Member
    Taco Bell: 2 crunchy tacos, fresco style. The soft tacos (chicken or steak) are good as well.

    Jimmy Johns: lately I have been loving the #6 (veggie, no mayo). I can't bring myself to go the Unwich route because I love their bread so much!

    Wendy's: In cooler weather I get their chili every few weeks or so--yum!

    Subway: Basically a no-brainer, especially if you stick to the 6g of fat or less sandwiches on wheat bread, avoid cheese and most sauces.
  • ashesoh1234
    ashesoh1234 Posts: 132 Member
    I'll do a grilled chick fil a sandwich with lettuce and tomato and take off the top half of the bun. Fruit salad on the side.

    I've also discovered the "convenience store meal"! You can get yogurt, cheese sticks, hard boiled eggs, bananas, apples, oranges, pretzels. It's not a conventional meal, but I find I can put together something decently healthy.
  • creickson
    creickson Posts: 14 Member
    I agree with the Baja Salad. Not sure what the cost was (since I took my kids too) but the Chick Filet Chargrilled Sandwich and Side of Fruit salad was delicious and satisfying. It almost made me forget about the fries!

    Agree.
  • lmarshel
    lmarshel Posts: 674 Member
    My favorite "fast" food meal is Hawaiian BBQ. Get their teriyaki bowl or BBQ chicken plate. It's around 600 calories and a TON of food. Just stay away from the mac salad...if you can!

    Panda Express also has some good options with lots of veggies. Go for the bowl with just one entree.
  • grendel322
    grendel322 Posts: 105 Member
    My go to is the Taco Bell Chicken Soft Taco Fresca Style ... about 150 calories each and about 1.50 each.

    Finally got to try one of these, along with a crunch taco, fresco style. Total tab: $3.38. Total calories: 300. Thanks for the tip!
  • exacerbe
    exacerbe Posts: 447 Member
    Wendy's - Sour Cream and Chive Baked Potato and Small Chili.

    Pour chili on potato. Awesome.
  • jskaggs1971
    jskaggs1971 Posts: 371 Member
    Tokyo Joe's:

    White meat chicken bowl with Oyako sauce, brown rice and the "top 5" veggie mix. 472 calories, although the big squirt of Sriracha sauce I put in it adds another few calories.
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