McDonalds Salads/Alternatives

try protein shakes on the go and/or bagging cereal (such as frosted mini wheats) or other dry high fiber foods. after a few weeks of high fiber intake, you'll be less hungry and feel more full on less. protein shakes on the go can be found at gnc, most liquor store fridges (in pop section), kmart, walmart, rite aid, walgreens, target.

anything from mcds is going to be unhealthy. even their new oatmeal has just as much calories and fat as the big mac. (that's a lot more than a whole box of quaker oats flavored oatmeal).

high protein will help to burn belly fat and turn fat into muscle. high fiber will help to digest foods more often and fill you up faster with less foods.

They depend entirely on:

1. What salad you're getting/what type of chicken (grilled or crispy)

and

2. What type of dressing you're putting on them.

You CAN make them not "bad" for you, per se (use grilled chicken instead of the crispy, etc.). They're still not as healthy as being able to make your own, fresh, but there are options.

Also, I second the idea of using protein and fiber to make you feel full. Salads are definitely on the lighter side when it comes to filling your belly.

Another one - try subway instead of McD's their low fat sandwiches are delicious, you can pick and choose what you want in them and you can log the calories.

The only thing I'd say about Subway, be careful about their sodium. They're WICKED high in it.

Most fast food is pretty high in sodium, it seems. Subway's problem is primarily because sandwiches tend to use deli meats which are often cured in salt. If salt is a concern for you there is always the option of getting a Veggie Delite (all vegetables, no meats) sandwich. Also, any sandwich can be made into a salad at Subway if carbs are your concern.

When it comes to salads and their nutritional values at restaurants most places will list the salad with and without meat - and the dressing, croutons, and any other additives on the side. I find that I prefer the taste of vegetables far more than the taste of salad dressing, so I don't ever use the entire package of dressing. (Some of those dressings can come up to nearly 200 calories!) I tend to use only 1/3 of the dressing and put the lid back on, shaking it to mix the dressing all over the vegetables so I get some of the flavor with every bite, without having to feel like I need to eat the whole package. (Who really needs all that dressing for those tiny salads?)

According to the McDonald's website all of their salads without chicken are under 200 calories and all but the one with bacon are under 200mg of sodium (That one is 300mg) - the highest macronutrient listed for the salads. It seems that with the salads, adding chicken does increase the protein content (from 6g to 27g in one case, a difference of 21g - the equivalent of eating 7 strips of bacon or 1 pork chop) but that protein comes at a price tag of nearly 200 calories and 4 times more sodium.

All of the dressings are high in sodium with the lowest one being 340mg (that's a lot just for a sauce!) but any of them would be fine if you're not using the entire package. Halving the amount you use would not only reduce your calories but the sodium and sugars as well, but you would still get the flavor.

I think the main problem people have with salads from places like McDonald's is the freshness factor. Fresh salads are better for you because fresh vegetables are better for you. McDonald's isn't exactly known for freshness.

If you must eat at McDonald's a salad isn't the worst choice you could make.

Think of it this way. For roughly the same number of calories and sodium (as a salad with grilled chicken and dressing), but less protein, you could have a fruit and yogurt parfait and a hamburger - the little regular hockey puck one they give kids now. I don't know about you, but the salad sounds way more fulfilling.

Most fast food is pretty high in sodium, it seems. Subway's problem is primarily because sandwiches tend to use deli meats which are often cured in salt. If salt is a concern for you there is always the option of getting a Veggie Delite (all vegetables, no meats) sandwich. Also, any sandwich can be made into a salad at Subway if carbs are your concern.

When it comes to salads and their nutritional values at restaurants most places will list the salad with and without meat - and the dressing, croutons, and any other additives on the side. I find that I prefer the taste of vegetables far more than the taste of salad dressing, so I don't ever use the entire package of dressing. (Some of those dressings can come up to nearly 200 calories!) I tend to use only 1/3 of the dressing and put the lid back on, shaking it to mix the dressing all over the vegetables so I get some of the flavor with every bite, without having to feel like I need to eat the whole package. (Who really needs all that dressing for those tiny salads?)

According to the McDonald's website all of their salads without chicken are under 200 calories and all but the one with bacon are under 200mg of sodium (That one is 300mg) - the highest macronutrient listed for the salads. It seems that with the salads, adding chicken does increase the protein content (from 6g to 27g in one case, a difference of 21g - the equivalent of eating 7 strips of bacon or 1 pork chop) but that protein comes at a price tag of nearly 200 calories and 4 times more sodium.

All of the dressings are high in sodium with the lowest one being 340mg (that's a lot just for a sauce!) but any of them would be fine if you're not using the entire package. Halving the amount you use would not only reduce your calories but the sodium and sugars as well, but you would still get the flavor.

I think the main problem people have with salads from places like McDonald's is the freshness factor. Fresh salads are better for you because fresh vegetables are better for you. McDonald's isn't exactly known for freshness.

If you must eat at McDonald's a salad isn't the worst choice you could make.

Think of it this way. For roughly the same number of calories and sodium (as a salad with grilled chicken and dressing), but less protein, you could have a fruit and yogurt parfait and a hamburger - the little regular hockey puck one they give kids now. I don't know about you, but the salad sounds way more fulfilling.

Good point I also like to pour creamy salad dressings into a little cup and dip my fork into the dressing before spearing and taking a bite of salad. I end up using far less dressing that way. As for the oil or vinegar based dressings it is harder to do this so I just measure it out.