healthiest fast food?

OBVIOUSLY fast food is categorically unhealthy, I get that. But sometimes you just have to grab something fast or all the friends vote to go out, or you only have time to run out of the office and grab something, or, be honest, you get a fast food craving but don't want to blow your whole day/week of counting. 

Has anyone figured out something that's not ridiculous on the calories and/or fat?

i always get a subway 6" oven roasted chicken on whole wheat, no cheese.  300 calories, 5 grams of fat, 22 protein...and load it with veggies (except pickle and olives which are high in sodium)

i get subway too! 6 inch turkey breast on wheat bread w/ no cheese, all veggies, and mustard

Yesterday I got the Wendy's (low fat) sour cream and chive baked potato and a caesar side salad.  I skipped the croutons and ate half the serving of caesar dressing.  It filled me up and wasn't TOO awful on calories or fat.  You could do a lot worse, I suppose.  I have read that a Wendy's small chili isn't too bad either but have also heard that the later down into the pot you get your serving, the less fat you will get (from off the top), so get it at the tail end of the lunch or dinner rush rather than at the beginning if you can.  Not sure how true it is, but it does make some sense.

Thanks for the ideas! I had completely forgotten about Subway, DUH, I mean, Jared and his pants are practically an icon these days... :)

have you tried the sweet onion sauce? it's yummy!

If you have a little bit more time, Panera could be a good option if you choose wisely.  All their nutrition is listed on the site.  A half salad (w/dressing on side) and a soup are a good combo.

I love Panera's "You Pick 2" combo.  I usually get a Greek salad and Turkey sandwich and it comes with a side of a baguette or apple for about $6.  It's a little more pricey than most fast food restaurants, but delicious!

I like the Taco Bell Fresco menu, I get 2 fresco ranchero soft chicken taco and fresco rice for around 480 calories and 11 grams of fat!  If you add the hot sauce to the rice and tacos its great! Really spices things up!

I love Tex-Mex so this if a good alternative.

Believe it or not, the southwest grilled chicken salad from McDonalds is great!

With the whole packet of dressing its only 420 calories, 15g of fat and 31g of protein.

The Sammies without cheese and sauce from Quizno's aren't bad either as well as some of the regular subs from there.

As you know all that stuff is junk and its like trying to find a needle in a haystack to find something to eat from a fast food place that isnt too bad,  I agree on subway's 300 calish sandwiches, I didn't know the sweet onion had 50% of your dv of sodium yikes, thats something Jared DOESN'T tell you

Fast food doesn't HAVE to be terrible for you, there's just not much that's great for you either in fast food. It's made to taste good, not be healthy.. and that includes subway. A lot of the taste in Subway comes from the excessive sodium in it.

That said, some fast food here and there is not going to kill you. Every once and a while I'll have a grilled chicken sandwich and small chili from wendy's and it's no detriment to my weight loss.


There could be some good local places for you though, maybe. Here in Colorado, there's a place called Tokyo Joes that is actually quite healthy if you get the right things. I get a bowl of brown rice, grilled chicken and veggies from there and it's a pretty healthy option for fast food.

If you're in LA you can go to Koo Koo Roo. I've heard it's a really healthy fast-food establishment.


If I eat at Subway I get a veggie wrap, no sauce, no cheese.
I like Panera's pick two like someone else mentioned. The french onion soup is pretty low call if you scrap the bread (though it is high in sodium).

But I agree with ibez... moderation is the key.

subway is obviously the popular healthy choice.

wendy's isn't so bad if you know the menu and what to get. for example, their salads aren't bad, but its the topping that kill ya, so don't put in the almonds, or noodles or croutons, and put half the dressing. also, the jr hamburger with no mayo, or the grilled chicken breast with no sauce are good choices. they also give choices of diet coke or fresca (no calories), which is quite interesting. plain baked potato and chili is also a good option.

as for desserts, there is nothing like yogen fruz in my opinion. small non-fat vanilla with blueberries ...mmm

Wendy's small Chili is a great choice as well.  It's only 220 calories and high on protein... not to meantion filling and warms you up during the winter months that are closing in on us.  They are only a $1.30... so I buy four or five, freeze them in the carton that they come in.  Store them in the freezer at work.  When I want it, I take it out of the freezer microwave for two minutes, stir it, microwave it then eat... best part no dishes to wash but the spoon!

For those on Weight Watchers...it's just 2 points.

Fast Food Choices: (from the YOU book by Dr. Oz)

Wendy’s Mandarin Chicken Salad (without the crisp noodles) with reduced-fat creamy ranch

Side: plain baked potato (with Marinara sauce to put on it), Mandarin orange cup, Caesar side salad w/o croutons, or chili

McDonald’s fruit and walnut salad or Caesar salad with grilled chicken with Newman’s Own Cobb Dressing

Side: fruit and yogurt parfait

Burger King BK Veggie Burger (w/o cheese), or Tendergrill Chicken Sandwich without sauce but with Ken’s light Italian dressing

Side: garden salad with above dressing

Taco Bell Spicy Chicken soft taco

Arby’s Chicken Breast Fillet with Raspberry vinaigrette

Domino’s or Papa Murphy's Pizza with green pepper, onions, mushrooms, fresh tomatoes, spinach or any other veggies with crunchy thin crust.  If you want meat then go for the Canadian Bacon or grilled chicken.

*when ever possible get items on a whole wheat bun or ditch the bun and eat with a fork & knife!

Instead of fries go for the healthier items offered by many of the restaurants such as apple slices, yogurt, etc..

Check out MensHealth.com - they have this cool section on fast food and what to choose on the go. It's amazing because some of the "light selections" are worse than the regular stuff!

Is this a free site or do you have to have a subscription to the magazine to get on the site?

BK - tendergrill chicken salad - yummy.  Romaine lettuce - and chicken is yummy.

In Michigan, we have a place called Mr. Pita. They're wrapped sandwiches and they have many 7" sandwiches under 250 calories. You can also get them wrapped in lettuce and make it even lighter.

I don't know if that helps you out but it may spark an idea.