That’s right! I bet you thought we’d never cover this topic, but today we’re talking fast food, baby! Healthy meals and recipes are easy to find when you’re cooking at home, but I think we can all agree that the bigger challenge to maintaining a balanced lifestyle is finding healthy options on-the-go at fast food restaurants.
Eating out is great for those nights that you just truly do not feel like cooking. Fast food does not have to be seen as an unhealthy choice for you and your family. Read below to get my favorite healthy fast food menu items from places like Chick fil a, Panda Express, Chipotle, Starbuck and more!
Healthy Fast Food Restaurants for Lunch
We have a few Panda Express locations in Birmingham that are convenient to us, so getting a quick and healthy meal is so easy now with their Wok Smart menu which has great low-calorie options. If you opt for their super greens as a side (steamed broccoli, bok choy, cabbage, kale), your meal will be low-calorie and low-carb! Try these healthy Asian-inspired dishes at your local Panda Express:
Order: String Bean Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, or Beef and Broccoli
How to Eat Healthy at Fast Food Restaurants
After starting a journey to better my gut health, I am now more intentional about eating, thanks to The FASTer Way to Fat Loss program. Fueling up with more protein, and focusing on whole nutrition are the foundations of what I stick to. Eating healthy is pretty easy when you plan ahead, but some days just get busy and fast food is your only option.
Eating healthy on-the-go doesn’t have to be stressful. Keep these tips in mind when trying to choose healthy options at fast food restaurants:
- Opt for grilled over fried
- Be aware of hidden fat content, especially in salad dressings
- Pick foods that are high in protein to help you stay fuller, longer
- Pre-plan your fast food run, by visiting their website to see nutritional facts online. Panera Bread, Panda Express, and Chipotle all have really good nutrition builders for you to mock-up your meal online before ordering so you can determine calories and/or macros.
- Use an app like MyFitnessPal to look up popular menu items and track your food
Best Healthy Fast Food Places
Eating healthy at fast-food restaurants can be done when you make a few minor adjustments! See more of my healthy fast food breakfast and lunch orders below.
Chick-Fil-A
Breakfast Order: Egg white grill – no butter
Lunch Order: 8 count grilled nuggets with 2 sides of superfood salad
Lunch/Dinner Order: Cobb salad with grilled chicken. No corn and light balsamic dressing
Chipotle
Order: Grilled Chicken salad with
- Chicken
- Veggies
- Cheese
- Tomato salsa
- Chipotle honey vinaigrette
Starbucks
Breakfast Order: Red Pepper Sous Vide Egg Bites
Lunch Order: Chicken and quinoa protein bowl
I also love their Thai Chicken Wrap!
Panera Bread
Order: Green Goddess Cobb
Order: Asian Sesame Salad
Jimmy Johns
Order: Beach Club Unwhich
Taco Bell
Order: Steak Burrito, or chicken “fresco” tacos, or beefy mini quesadilla