In modern life, convenience often takes precedence over health, leading to fast food reliance. While fast food is ubiquitous, a dilemma arises concerning the health impact. Simply cutting calories or sizes isn’t the best way to make meals healthier. Sodium and saturated fat levels should be reviewed.
Eating Out Smartly
So what should we do if fast food is our only choice? Remember rules for eating out:
- Fried foods have more calories than grilled.
- Get small portions instead of large.
- Skip fries and drinks, which add many calories.
- Omit mayo to avoid fat.
The past year brought girl dinners, wellness shots, cottage cheese with pickles. In 2024 we can expect innovations like ethical lab meat, brain-boosting foods, plant-based items like carrot lox, more spice, non-meat proteins.
Fast food refers to quickly served, pre-cooked food. Chains like McDonald’s and KFC are popular but unhealthy. A meal contains 836 calories on average. Home cooking is best, but some fast food breakfasts can be decent options when you lack time. The healthiest fast food choices have reasonable carbs, salt, sugar, and fat.
Healthier Fast Food Choices
Leading the way as one of the healthiest fast food restaurants is Taco Bell! Reduced sodium across the menu by 15 percent since 2008, with a push to have a total 25 percent reduction by 2025. Removed artificial flavors and colors and replaced them with natural alternatives.
Not to worry: There is such a thing as healthy fast food (or at least healthier). You can order a meal at most fast food chains with less than 500 calories, moderate amounts of fat and saturated fat, and ample protein and fiber.
We also favored entrees with fruits and/or vegetables rather than plates devoid of color.
Here are 10 fast-food restaurants that have some healthy options on the menu:
- Taco Bell
- Subway
- Chipotle
- Starbucks
- McDonald’s
- Chick-Fil-A
- Wendy’s
- Long John Silver
- Many more…
This list includes all of the healthiest fast food options that you can order, from breakfast sandwiches to burgers to salads and more. Plus, the best part is that all of these low-calorie fast-food meals have under 400 calories! A compilation of healthy fast food options.