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Healthy Fast Food Choices

It’s not an urban legend…healthy food can exist in fast food restaurants.  Here are your best bets.



Panera Bread:  Go for the fresh bread, stay for their wide array of soups, salads and sandwiches complete with fresh ingredients.  They offer two different whole-grain breads and an apple instead of chips with your meal.  Half sized sandwiches, salads, and soups can help you eat the correct proportions.  Most of the chicken is antibiotic- and hormone-free, a rarity for large chains.   Watch out for that bakery though, those sweets don’t make it on the list. 

Noodles & Company:  Who says pasta can’t be healthy?  You just need to know what sauces and toppings to steer clear of.  This chain uses soybean  oil in sautéing instead of the typical grease, and offers lean proteins—hormone- and antibiotic-free chicken, beef, shrimp, and organic tofu.  Their three distinct food types, Asian, Mediterranean, and American, make the menu diverse enough for even the most persnickety eater.  Vegetables including broccoli, peppers, and carrots are found in many dishes, and they even have whole-grain linguine.  Desserts will be your issue here, even their Rice Crispy Treat has 530 calories and 19 grams of fat!

Chipotle:  Looking for cuisine south of the border, but not into “thinking outside the bun”?  You should try this buffet style taco, burrito and salad bar that gives you control of your entire meal.  Choice of beans, protein, and salsas help you design your perfect meal.  Chipotle wins high marks for its commitment to organics, hormone- and antibiotic-free meats, and produce sourced from local suppliers, which is revolutionary in a chain this big.  Many of its entrées can be low-sodium, if you choose add-ins such as the fajita veggies and green tomatillo salsa.  If you’re looking to make that meal extra healthy cut back on your cheese and sour cream.

McDonald’s:  We know, it sounds too good to be true, but the healthier options do exist here.  McDonald’s is leading the way in overhauling its menu to offer more heart- and waist-friendly fare.  Happy Meals now come with apples instead of fries and milk instead of soda if you choose.  And if you’ve gotta have fries, McDonald’s are made in a healthy canola-blend oil and come in at just 230 calories for a small.  The Grilled Chicken Classic sandwich and wraps are healthy choices, too (just skip the mayo or sauce). So is the salad with Paul Newman low-fat balsamic vinaigrette.  McDonald’s should also be commended for putting calorie counts right on their tray liners.  Although they make the list, don’t get caught in the land of super sizing and giant sodas without a plan.


Einstein Bros. Bagels: We all know that bagels are pretty high-carb, but slathering cream cheese or butter on them is what really gets you into trouble. No worries at this chain: Einstein Bros. offers healthier alternatives like reduced-fat shmears, hummus, and peanut butter—a great way to add healthy fat to breakfast (or lunch). It also serves a Good Grains bagel that has an impressive 4 grams of fiber.  Half salads are also an option for a light lunch.  Watch the calorie count on those stuffed bagel sandwiches. 

Source: http://living.health.com/