In the early 2000s, if you were a fan of the show Super Size Me, you could have had conflicting feelings about whether or not it is possible to consume fast food while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In general, fast food is known for having a reputation for being heavy in calories, fat, salt, and added sugars; however, this does not imply that you cannot discover healthier choices for fast food as part of a balanced diet.
Dietitians were consulted in order to ascertain the specific meals that they suggest for your health when it comes to fast food, as well as the meals that may even aid contribute to weight reduction.
Remember that a single meal cannot determine the success or failure of your diet. As a matter of fact, it is essential that you consider your health to be the result of a series of decisions made over the course of time, rather than a single meal. Continue reading if you want to learn more about how to lose weight with nutritious meals from fast food restaurants.
9. Chick-fil-A Market Salad
A nutritious alternative that provides a nice combination of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, the Market Salad offered by Chick-fil-A is another option to consider. Market Salad with Grilled Nuggets is one of my favorite dishes. I really like the extra crunch that comes from the granola and the slivered almonds, and it has a high protein content. The use of berries in the salad provides a wonderful natural sweetness as well as an increase in antioxidants.
According to Wan Na Chun, MPH, RD, “It is my favorite fast-food salad because it contains a vast amount of nutrients and a variety of fun textures.”
8. Chipotle Chicken Bowl
According to Sarah Pflugradt, MS, RDN, CSCS, the Chicken Burrito Bowl at Chipotle is without a doubt the best way to lose weight while eating at a fast food restaurant. “You can’t top the protein and fiber content of this dish, which consists of chicken, brown rice, beans, lettuce, more salsa, and corn. That being said, the salt content will still be rather high; nonetheless, it is quite difficult to prevent this with any fast food. “Instead of drinking soda, opt for water, and avoid adding any extras to this meal, such as sour cream or queso, which can cause the total number of calories to increase,” she explains.
7. Subway 6-inch Turkey Sub
With Subway, it is simple to personalize a low-calorie, fast-food alternative that can be consumed on the move. When you are careful with the condiments you use, a turkey sub that is six inches in diameter may have as little as 270 calories. On the other hand, a wheat roll that is six inches in diameter will provide you with fiber and protein, two elements that help you feel full and prevent your energy levels from dropping as the day progresses.
6. Wendy’s Grilled Chicken Ranch Wrap
On its menu, Wendy’s offers some of the most calorie-dense dishes, such as the Pretzel Baconator, which has 1,050 calories, and the Big Bacon Classic Triple, which has 1,220 calories! There are, however, a few lighter and healthier alternatives that you can discover at Wendy’s that may be compatible with your weight reduction objectives. One example of this is their Grilled Chicken Wrap, which has a total of calories, 27 grams of protein, and even a few grams of fiber.
5. Taco Bell Cantina Chicken Power Bowl
When it comes to fast food, Taco Bell actually offers some of the healthiest alternatives on the menu, provided that you know what to order. Consider, for instance, the Cantina Chicken Bowl that they provide. Not only does it include 25 grams of protein, but it also has 11 grams of fiber, which is a significant amount of fiber for a meal from a fast food restaurant. However, in addition to that, it has fewer than 500 calories and just three grams of sugar. In addition to assisting you in maintaining your daily objectives, this bowl will keep you feeling full until the next meal that you eat.
4. McDonald’s Egg McMuffin
When you are trying to lose weight, you can still enjoy the Egg McMuffin from McDonald’s, which is a classic that you can still enjoy. You will discover that this breakfast sandwich, despite its little size, has a significant amount of lasting power, since it contains 17 grams of protein that is satisfying and just 310 calories in total.
3. Starbucks Spinach, Feta & Egg White Wrap
Go to Starbucks and get their Spinach, Feta, and Egg White Wrap for a nutritious breakfast choice instead of ordering anything else. This wrap has less than 300 calories, but it still has 24 grams of protein, which is substantial, and it also contains 4 grams of fiber, which is something that you could have a hard time finding in many traditional breakfast sandwiches from fast food restaurants.
2. In-N-Out Protein Style Burger
In-N-Out Burger is famed for its “Not So Secret Menu,” which includes a variety of variants on its iconic burgers. These variations include the Double Meat Burger, the Animal Style Burger, and the Protein Style Burger, which is our favorite healthier alternative. It is just your famous In-N-Out burger, but instead of a bun, it is served on lettuce, which helps to keep the number of calories on the lower end.
1. Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Sandwich
If you are looking for a nutritious fast food choice that will help you lose weight, Karolin Saweres, MS, RDN, LD recommends Chick-fil-A. My favorite Chick-fil-A sandwich is the Grilled Chicken Sandwich, which has just 390 calories and is one of my favorites. Combine it with their Fresh Fruit Cup or Kale Crunch Salad to receive a surge of fiber that will help you feel fuller for longer. If you feel like you need more protein, you can also order their 5-piece Grilled Chicken Nuggets.