Healthier Fast Food Options

[Carmen S]

You know the saying about the best laid plans? Well, it exists for a reason. It is true. Sometimes, you plan and plan and life throws a curveball your way. Maybe practice ran later than you anticipated. Maybe you had car trouble and missed the game. Maybe your sons team won the playoffs and now you have to drive across town for the awards ceremony. Maybe today is payday and you can't get to the grocery store before both of your girls have to be at track practice. No matter what the situation, you've got to get some food into your family and you don't have any time to go home and cook. You are going to have to break down and visit a fast food restaurant. Rather than just accept the inevitable and scarf down a triple burger with cheese and large fries, take the time to look over the menus and have a back up plan. Each of the following meal choices is between 300-500 calories and while not the healthiest choice, can be a decent meal.

• McDonald's Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Snack wrap is a decent choice, with just 260 calories. Paired with a side salad (no dressing) and a small frozen strawberry lemonade it can be a delicious dinner.
  
• McDonald's cheeseburger and a snack size fruit and walnut salad with a bottled water.
• Kentucky Fried Chicken Grilled Chicken - drumstick and thigh - with corn on the cob and water.
  
• Subway has several options that are healthy. Chose a 6" sandwich with no cheese, mayo or oil and vinegar. Fill your sandwich with extra veggies and choose a whole grain bread. One other alternative is the wrap.
  
• Pair Wendy's Grilled Chicken sandwich with a side salad and a water.
• Pour Wendy's chili over a baked potato and you won't be hungry for hours.
• Starbucks Fruit, Nut and Cheese pr Protein platters are two of my personal favorite choices. Both are fresh and filling, high in protein and consist of real food - not always easy to find!
• 2 Fresco style Tacos from Taco Bell clock in at 300 calories. Grab a banana or apple on your way out of the house and you'll be full through game time.
  

What are some of your favorite "healthier" fast food options?

[jen113000]

 I do like the snack wraps from Mcdonalds and subways chicken bacon ranch sandwiches. But I still try to stay away from fast food places.

[natesmom1228]

We do not eat much fast foods so if I do take him somewhere I usually let him get what he wants, since it's a treat.

[Kristen1010]

I'm with with Natesmom1228!  My boys usually choose Chipolte, Subway or pizza.

[M4LG5]

We really try to stay away from fast food but every once in awhile I'll give in to McDonald's.  What's hard for me is that I love hamburgers.  I love them.  At restaurants, I'll try to get a turkey burger instead.  At fast foods, they don't have it except for Carl's Jr I think.    I'd probably end up going for the cheeseburger or get a hamburger without fries.

[Barabell]

Burger King has a veggie burger that is really tasty, but we rarely eat there. I have no idea if it's healthier in terms of calories.

[mumsy2three]

If we get fast food I prefer Wendy's I usually get a 1/2 salad and baked potato with butter only.

I really like the berry almond (grilled) chicken salad. It is 270 calories for the 1/2 size.

[Barabell]

I like the McDonald's Southwest Chicken Salad.

[Barabell]

We don't have a Wendy's near us or near where my son plays sports, and so we rarely go there.

Quoting mumsy2three:

If we get fast food I prefer Wendy's I usually get a 1/2 salad and baked potato with butter only.

I really like the berry almond (grilled) chicken salad. It is 270 calories for the 1/2 size.

[Jess1231]

We do not eat out often but when we do I go the healthiest route. I'm a big fan of wraps and love salads.

[M4LG5]

Quoting Barabell:

I like the McDonald's Southwest Chicken Salad.

This is actually really good!