A quick guide to choosing healthy fast foods

With the enticing smile of McDonald’s “golden arches” and the addictive aroma of Whoppers wafting through the air as you pass Burger King, healthy fast food options are probably the furthest from your mind.

The dark cloud hanging over fast food restaurants is pretty much overrated, as there are so many nutritious and satisfying picks to ponder. Being equipped with the knowledge of how to make healthier choices at fast food restaurants is key to taking full advantage of an eating opportunity that’s convenient, affordable, and truly fast.

hamburger heaven

A single hamburger at a fast food restaurant is quite reasonable. McDonald’s plain ‘ole’ burger with its signature onions packs in 250 calories with a reasonable saturated fat count and a decent serving of protein.

To reduce the calories associated with a fast food burger, you can cut out some of the extras that increase the total fat content of the meal.

For example, forgo the slice of cheese on a Wendy’s Jr. Cheeseburger Deluxe and save 40 calories. Skip the mayonnaise to cut your burger by 25 calories. Want to save carbs and calories on your healthy fast food picks? Eat your burger on a half bun and save 60 calories. Altogether, the 125-calorie cut still lets you savor the flavor of the bacon and juicy burger paired with nutritious tomatoes and lettuce.

In addition, you can also select smaller burger optionsas a mayonnaise-free Whopper Jr. (290 calories) tastes just as good as its 510-calorie cousin.

chicken delight

With all the crispy chicken sandwiches and chicken nuggets on the fast food strip, it’s hard to miss the spicy mix of seasonings that tickle the tongue.

Again, the real reason you order a chicken sandwich is to savor the crispy coating, so why waste calories on the bun, which takes 120 calories out of the 340-calorie sandwich? Some people eat the chicken completely without the bread, while others only use half.

At McDonald’s, the Grilled Chicken Honey Mustard Snack Wrap is a sandwich that offers the second lowest calorie count on the menu at 260. A four-piece Chicken Nuggets offers just 170 calories. In order to reduce the number of calories associated with healthy fast food chicken options, pay attention to your sauces, as a Creamy Ranch Dip has 200 calories alone.

pizzeria, pizzeria

Scan the menus of popular chains, like Pizza Hut, and you’ll learn about healthy fast-food options, like Thin-n-Crispy selections, which offer less bread and crust.

To create a healthy pizza foodDitch the meat toppings and indulge in popular vegetarian creations like onions, olives, bell peppers, and jalapeños.

Pizza Hut also offers “Fit-n-Delicious” pizzas, where the selection of diced red tomato, mushrooms and jalapeno provides 150-calorie slices.

Extra healthy fast food

Often overlooked as a fast food restaurant, Subway is a great way to stick to a healthy eating plan. Some of the best selections include tons of vegetables and lean chicken. My personal favorite is the daily special of 1/2 sub, with honey oatmeal bread, spicy mustard and loaded with all the local veggies. What an explosion of flavor and it’s so healthy.

In general, the continued pressure to lead a healthier lifestyle has encouraged many restaurants to prioritize low-calorie food options. Popular and healthy fast food menu items today include Chicken Garden Salads, Strawberry Applesauce, 2% Milk, Bacon Ranch Salad, Apple Dip, and Fruit and Yogurt Parfait.

Making healthy fast food choices isn’t boring. Make it a fine dining adventure. Enjoy!