No matter how much effort we put in following a healthy diet, sometimes, the stressful routine and a busy lifestyle do not always make it easy to always eat healthily. You might not have time to cook and consider stopping at a fast-food restaurant to get a quick and affordable meal that will satiate your hunger. But then, you might start thinking that it won’t do you any good as we all know that most of the fast-food options are high in calories, saturated fats, and sodium, withlittle or inexistent nutrients and fiber.
While eating at a fast-food restaurant should not become a regular habit, the good news is that there are foods that are low in calories, without being full of additives and saturated fats. Many of the fast-food chains have introduced vegetarian options and low-calories meals that make your choice a bit easier. If you want to know some of the healthiest options at fast-food restaurants, keep reading as we came up with a list of our favorite meals!
The Burrito Bowl at Chipotle
A great tip when trying to eat healthy at fast-food restaurants is to add as many healthy vegetables as you can to your meal. This will help you make your plate more nutritious and will satiate you faster. If you choose to order from Chipotle, the Burrito Bowl is one of the healthiest options you could go for. Add all of the vegetables that you want and go for beans and fajita steak for creating a balanced meal, high in proteins and nutrients and low in fats. Ask it without rice, which will increase calories and will add no nutritional benefit to your meal. Ask a pico de gallo for flavor and ditch the guacamole and cheese for a healthy and balanced meal.
The Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap at Chick-Fil-A
Instead of going for the classic chicken sandwich, opt for the grilled chicken breast wrap. It comes in a flaxseed flour flatbread, with lettuce, carrots, cabbage, and cheese. You’ll eat a delicious meal, guilt-free.
The Protein Style Hamburger at In-N-Out Burger
If you are craving a burger but are worried about the calories and especially the high carbohydrate content, In-N-Out has the solution for you. The Protein style burger comes in a lettuce wrap instead of the classic burger bun. Eliminate the fries and any type of soda to limit empty calories and enjoy your meal!
The Broccoli Beef At Panda Express
This simple meal is one of the most healthy and low calories you can find at fast-food restaurants. A portion is only 150 calories and it is an extremely low-fat option that will provide you with enough nutrients and proteins to make it a balanced meal. It is just as simple as it sounds: broccoli and beef cooked in ginger soy sauce. You can add more vegetables on the side and some steamed brown rice to make it even more complete.
The Roast Beef Sandwich at Subway
With less than 300 calories, you’ll have a great, healthy sandwich, as long as you order it without dressing but with extra fresh veggies such as cucumber, pepper, lettuce, spinach, and tomatoes. Get rid of the cheese to reduce the fat content and sodium and your healthy meal is served!
Low Carb Charbroiled BBQ Chicken Sandwich at Hardee’s
In a burger, the highest source of sodium is given by the bread, most of the time. If you switch that up for a lettuce wrap you’ll substantially reduce both carbohydrates and sodium. This chicken sandwich is not only low-fat but also low in calories (less than 200!). If you are craving a burger but you don’t want to ruin all of your dietary efforts, go for this one, you won’t regret it!
The Bottomline
These are some of our favorite healthy meals you can find at fast-food restaurants. If you don’t want to ruin all your efforts, try to keep your fast food meals at less than 500 calories and avoid french fries, onion rings, and other unhealthy sides as well as soda.
Generally, you should go for frilled or roasted meats instead of fried and breaded, as the latter tend to increase the number of saturated fats and are higher in calories as well.
If you keep in mind these tips and check the nutritional value of the meals before ordering, you’ll be able to eat at fast-food restaurants without compromising your diet! It is possible, you only have to know what to avoid.