According to the CDC, an estimated six in 10 adults in the United States have at least onea chronic illness, while four in ten have two or more. Because poor nutrition is one of the leading causes of chronic diseases such as heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, diabetes and morehealthier food choicesshould be at the top of everyone's thoughts. This starts with looking for the healthiestFast foodrestaurants in your area.
Most fast food choices are incredibly high in fat, sodium and calories, and too much of these nutrients increases your risk for a number of health problems. The double burger with bacon, cheese and medium fries? It will cost you up to 1,570 calories, 34 grams of saturated fat and 3,535 milligrams of sodium. That's 154% of itrecommended sodiumlimit of 2,300 mg for an entire day in one meal.
Happy,fast food chainshas listened to our desire to eat food conveniently and manage our health. At the same time, some fast food chains have been better listeners than others. Healthier fast food choices typically contain fewer calories, or at least less than half the daily amount in one meal. These meals also tend to be lower in saturated fat and sodium, while still containing vegetables, fruits and other fiber-rich ingredients.
If you're looking for fast food options that won't derail your health goals, hop in the car and head to one of these seven dietitian-approved, healthiest fast food restaurants.
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1. Chipotle
“My favorite fast food restaurant is Chipotle because they offer a good variety of meal options with fresh ingredients,” saysKimberley Wiemann, MS, RDN, a dietitian from Long Island, NY. Of the virtually limitless combinations, Wiemann recommends packing a salad with vegetables and beans and adding a protein option, such as chicken or steak, or keeping it vegetarian with soffritos or beans and rice.
You can think of a number of dietitian-approved choicesChipotle's menuInvolving:
- Majstacos
- Salads or bowls topped with fresh Chipotle ingredients including beans, brown rice, a protein choice such as steak, chicken or tofu, salsa and vegetables
2. AGAINST Pizza
A pizzeria may not seem like a healthy fast food option at first, but it's all about the toppings.
Melissa Altman-Traub MS, RDN, LDN,recommend MOD Pizza. “They have a ton of vegetarian toppings and vegan cheese on a thin crust,” she says.
You can also make your artisan pizza to your own taste and enjoy one of the many salads they offer.
A few dietitian-approved choices for you to considerMOD Pizza's menuInvolving:
- Pizza on original or cauliflower crust topped with a wide choice of vegetables and proteins
- Havesalaten
- The Greek salad
- The Italian chopped salad
3. Starbucks
Your favorite coffee shop has more than just sugar-filled pastries to go with your coffee.
“Starbucks offers several food options that contain both carbohydrates and protein as part of the combination to keep blood sugar levels stable, especially for people with diabetes,” saysToby Smithson, registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist, founder of Diabetes EveryDay and author ofDiabetes meal planningInNutrition for Dummies.
A few dietitian-approved choices for you to considerStarbucksInvolving:
- Oatmeal
- Jerky
- Strongest
- Perfect bars®
- Protein boxes
- Wrap with spinach, feta and egg white
- Sous-vide æggebid
The Healthiest Starbucks Breakfast Menu Orders
4. Jason's Deli
“Jason's Deli is a great option for those looking for a quick, healthy meal,” saidMandy Tyler, M.Ed., RD, CSSD, LD. She recommends the Mediterranean Bowl, filled with chicken, quinoa, hummus and plenty of fresh veggies, or the Wild Salmon for a sandwich packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Some other dietitian-approved choices you may haveJasons DeliInvolving:
- The modern Mediterranean dish
- The wild salmon that
- The Greek chicken wrap
- Meat-kipssalad
5. Panerabrood
“Products are in short supply at most fast food restaurants, and Panera offers a wealth of salads, soups and grain bowls packed with vegetables, with plenty of customization available for any taste preference or allergy need,” saysLauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN, founder of NutritionStarringYOU.com and author ofEverything Easy Pre-Diabetes Cookbook.
From salads to sandwiches, soups and hot bowls, and plenty of seasonal options, it's easy to find a healthy breakfast or lunch at Panera.
A few dietitian-approved choices for you to considerPaneras-menuInvolving:
- The Mediterranean dish with chicken
- Autumn pumpkin soup
- Mediterranean Veggie sandwich
- A Fuji apple salad with chicken
- Turkey chili
- Greek yogurt with mixed berries
- Fresh fruit cups
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6. Cava
This Mediterranean-style fast food restaurant makes it easy to eat healthy, vegetable-filled Greek and Mediterranean-inspired dishes on the go.
“You can adapt a bowl or pita bread to a plant-based diet and change the carbs if necessary by substituting super green vegetables and increasing the protein with RightRice®participationAlexandria Hardy, RDN, LDN.
Most bowls contain less than 800 calories and can be filled with a variety of vegetables and lean proteins for a satisfying and nutritious meal.
A number of dietitian-approved choices to order fromCavaInvolving:
- The lentil avocado bowl
- A Greek salad
- En Tahini Cesear salat
- A bowl of chicken and RightRice
- Ristet-auberginedip
7. Chick-fil-A
While not everything at this fried chicken restaurant is filled with healthy ingredients, there is a lotnutritious options at Chick-fil-A.
"I love the Chick-fil-A Cool Wrap for a quick meal or even a big snack when I'm on the go and know I'll be too hungry. It's packed with nutrients and provides 43g of protein and 14g of fiber from the packaging! It's fast food that can make me feel good when I'm in trouble," saysCaroline Thomason, RD, CDCES, a Virginia-based dietitian who helps women stop dieting and find confidence with food.
A number of dietitian-approved choices to order fromChick-fil-AInvolving:
- The cool wrap
- Grilled chicken nuggets
- The grilled chicken sandwich
- Perfect Greek yogurt
- The protein grill
- From Cobb-salade
- Fruit cups
- Kale Crunch Salad
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