Healthy fast food?

Question

What are some of the more healthier items on the typical fast food resturant menus? (places such as Mcdonalds, Jack in the Box, Taco Bell). Include drinks, sides, etc.

be specific....I heard fast food salads really arent that good for you, im talking foods that supply nutrients (protein, etc) with minimal fat intake.

Answer 1

there is a really good and healthy fast food restraunt called in in-out but only people in ca,nv, and arizona know about it.

Answer 2

At MCD, the grilled chicken ordered w/o mayo is relatively low fat and low calories (particularly if you don't eat the entire bun) and the side salad there is low cal as well. The yogurt fruit parfait is also healthier than the other treats at MCD. There's virtually nothing at Taco Bell or Long John Silver's that's low cal and/or healthy. Wendy's offers mandarin oranges as a substitute for fries, which is good. Also, the diet drinks are zero calories (although probably not all that good for you-a bottle of water would be a better choice).

My sister is on the Weight Watchers program, and she received a list of various menu items from fast food places, showing point values for various "name brand" foods. If you go to their website, maybe they have the "point" values for various fast food places. I know my sister has a list because she joined, but maybe someone out here knows where you can find the list for free. The higher the points, the more calories and fats you'll be consuming.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I don't think they have good options for drinks outside of unsweetened tea and water. All of their drinks are sugary sodas and juices. Every once in a while, I try McDonald's premium salads w/ the grilled chicken, like Caesar. However, you have to be very careful with the dressing, their ranch and Caesar dressing has 400 calories!! And that's way too much, instead opt for the vinaigrette which is only 40 calories.

I don't know about jack in the box or taco bell, I would also say incorporate more subway into your choices as well, you can modify your sandwiches and they have a calorie and fat grams chart to help make your decision, all of which is without the condiments.

All french fries are fried in trans fatty acid so the whole "its a potato which is a vegetable" excuse does not apply because they are not healthy at all when that oil is used (I've used it myself so I speak from experience).

If you have to choose something you kind've know isn't as healthy as you know it should be, you can always minimize the portion that you choose to eat. Drinking alot of water before and with your meal helps with the portion control as you get use to it or add a salad to it so you'll at least you had something decent with something deliciously sinful.

Answer 4

If you don't necessarily have to go to those places, go for something like fallafel or jerk chicken. Be adventurous and walk into an "ethnic" place. A lot of those places serve really delicious food, and it's mostly healthy like rice with chicken and whatnot.

If you HAVE to go to those big chain American fast food places for lunch, try Wendy's for their potatoes, salad, etc. Get a veggie burger at BK. Just take a long look at the menus of those places next time you're in and choose what's healthy.

Protein is over-rated anyway. You don't need low-grade hamburger to know that you've got your nutrition intake.

But if you really want protein: Taco Bell. Get your beans. Have a nice 7-layer. Skip the fries, skip the pop.

Answer 5

Subway and Quiznos are about the only fast food places where a healthy choice is even possible. Salads are an option at the burger joints, but take a look first at the calories in the dressing!! As for beverages, black coffee or unsweetened tea are about the only healthy options. Wendy's no longer uses trans fats for their french fries, but you're still getting a load of high-calorie fat.

Answer 6

Most of the larger, more well known restaraunts have nutritional info on their websites. I have actually made a list of items from a variety of restaraunts and that way when the hubby and kids want to stop somewhere I know some healthier selections for me. If you go on their sites just start browsing the nutritional listings...taco bell you can change (no sour cream, etc) and it will tell you the calories for different selections.

Answer 7

Completely avoid places that rely heavily on grill frying and deep frying. Healthy is the last thought put into the menu there. Most sub shops have a good selection of healthy choices and have the added benefit of making it in front of you so you can have greater impact on the contents of your chosen sandwich. If you have sodium issues or wish to avoid eating a lot of additives such as MSG, avoid the soups because they are prepackaged and loaded with both.

Answer 8

Mcdonalds, Jack in the Box, Taco Bell, In & Out, etc... are not healthy places to eat at and nor are they good for your heart and liver. I would recommend places like; Subway, Baja Fresh, Chipotle, Jamba Juice, Togos, and Quiznos.

Answer 9

Subway

Answer 10

i really dont think there are any healthy foods in those places.
try not to eat fast foor even if it says it is healthy!
alternative places like Subway, or Fresh Choice are good.
but McDonalds, burger king, and all those are bad!

all that junk food can lead to diabetes!!! and cause yoou to be overweight!!

think about this before you ruin ur life!!

Answer 11

Subway 8 subs under 6 gms of fat or less. Diet coke or water.