Healthy Fast Food Options

Use these healthy fast food tips for when you need to grab something quick and easy for supper without blowing your diet.

As a health and fitness coach, I have learned how to have a healthy relationship with food. This means eating healthy and fueling our body the majority of the time, with small treats here and there. In case you are new to the world of healthy eating, fast food would be considered a treat 🙂

We must forget the goal of weight loss, and focus on eating healthy foods because that is what makes us feel our best. Therefore, we shouldn’t even desire fast food because we know it is going to leave us feeling sluggish and gross. Haha, easier said than done, right?

Obviously it is still going to be cheaper and healthier to plan ahead and pack a breakfast, lunch, or supper instead of getting fast food. However, I am a big fan or treating myself, as long as it is in moderation and doesn’t happen daily.

Now, stepping off of my soap box, if there is not an option to bring your own food, here are a few healthy options when grabbing fast food.

Tips for Eating Healthy Fast Food

1. Pack your own food. Taking a few minutes to be prepared is going to be cheaper and healthier than eating fast food. Avoid fast food as much as possible. Even if you just pack a few healthy sides such as an apple, carrots, or a salad.
2. Choose water. Getting a main entree at a fast food restaurant is not going to kill your diet, but a sandwich, large fry, and a large pop will. Choosing water as your beverage of choice will help fill you up, hydrate your body, and many other benefits.  Be sure you are drinking the right amount of water for your body.
3. Watch the sauces and dressings. Ask for sauces on the side whenever possible so you can control how much you use. Mustard and Hot sauce are two of the healthiest  options.
4. Grilled chicken and grilled hamburgers are pretty solid options! Opt to skip the bread and ask for a lettuce wrap if watching carbs or just trying to get more veggies in. 
5. Pick how you want to splurge. Again, I am about treats occasionally! What if you get a fried chicken sandwich for lunch, then skip the fries and grab an apple instead. Maybe you pack your own salad from home but decide a McDonalds frappe is a wonderful treat. Good for you! Small changes add up to big success!

Fast Food Chicken- (Chick Fil A, KFC, etc.)

Chicken is a wonderful lean protein option, but when it is deep fried it looses some of its healthy appeal. Grilled chicken is going to be your best bet at fast food chicken restaurants. Watch those sauces too!

Fast Food Mexican- Chipotle, Moe’s & Qdoba

Mexican fast food restaurants can be a wonderful fast food option! Depending on what you are watching, it is pretty easy to find a healthy option. Most places offer a salad or burrito bowl, which is a great way to minimize carbs and increase your veggies. Don’t forget to watch out for the sour cream, queso, and cheese as they add a lot of extra calories.

Taco Bell

Soft shells are a great option when ordering tacos. As far as your protein goes, chicken is your best bet. If you REALLY are trying to stay on it, say no to the cheese and sour cream.

Burger Joints- Five Guys, Wendy’s, Burger King, McDonalds, etc.

A grilled burger is a wonderful healthy-ish option at a burger joint! The toppings and sides are where the calories and fat start to creep in. Choose your favorite burger, throw on some veggies and ask for the sauce on the side. Don’t forget, if you want to cut a few calories, skip the bread.

Chinese Fast Food- Panda Express

There are lots of healthy fast food options at Panda. Grab the fried rice, chow mien, or opt for just veggies as your side and choose entrees that include a lean protein and veggies. Skip the deep fried chicken and focus on options like broccoli and beef or chicken and green beans.

Panera

There are lots of healthy options at Panera and they openly share their calorie counts, which is beyond helpful! Grab a soup and salad for a lite option. Opt for the apple as your side and skip the baguette.

Pizza

Pizza is out of this world AMAZING. Life without pizza would just be depressing. Choosing thin crust pizza is a great way to cut out some calories. Another option is get your favorite pizza but only eat 1 slice and pair it with a filling salad. You will fill fueled, without feeling deprived cause you got to eat your pizza guilt free.

Welp, there you have it! Those were my top tips for eating healthy at fast food restaurants.