Want Something Quick, But Also Healthy? These Are The Fast-Food Meals Dietitians And Nutritionists Are Most Likely To Order
Sometimes, you need a quick meal after a long meeting or are on a road trip. At that point, you may need to eat some fast food--but what should you choose?
Sonya Angelone, a dietitian and nutritionist, says that there are actually "some good choices" in fast-food restaurants. Some menu items are just better than other options, providing some essential nutrients, protein, and fiber. Learn what nutritionists and dietitians order when they eat out.
Subway's Veggie Delite
The Veggie Delite is Subway's vegetarian sandwich that piles on vegetables with added cheese (if you'd like). With only 200 calories and 280 mg of sodium per six-inch sub, it's much more healthy than other options. Brierley Horton, the nutrition director for Cooking Light, says that the Veggie Delite is the best option if you want chips and a drink.
To skip the added sodium, top the sandwich with Subway oil or vinegar, adds registered dietitian Cara Harbstreet. Opt for 9-Grain Wheat or Honey Oat bread. And remember to watch out for portion size!
Starbucks' Protein Boxes
If you want to grab a quick breakfast or lunch at Starbucks, browse their Protein Boxes. Registered dietitian Ilyse Schapiro usually goes for the Hummus Bistro Box, which includes grilled chicken, hummus, grape tomatoes, cucumber, and pita bread. If you add a banana, that's only 400 calories for a meal.
Another healthy box, says Schapiro, is the Protein Bistro Box. It supplies a hard-boiled egg, sliced apples, grapes, cheddar cheese, peanut butter, and muesli bread. Few ingredients in those boxes are fried, salt-stuffed, or preserved.
A Chicken Or Barbacoa Bowl From Chipotle
While at Chipotle, HelloFresh's registered dietitian Rebecca Lewis orders grilled chicken or barbacoa. Both are the leanest meat options on the menu. "I go tortilla-less, [and] order a bowl (so many calories in tortillas!)," she tells SELF. She also orders the tomatillo green chili salsa, which has half the sodium of other salsas there.
"In general, when eating fast food, I avoid anything fried," Lewis adds. She also recommends ordering sauce on the side and avoiding adding extra carbs. She tops her Chipotle bowl with fajita veggies, lettuce, and guacamole for healthy fats.
The Healthiest Meal At Panda Express
In an interview with Well and Good, registered dietitian Kim Morton discussed the healthiest options at Panda Express. For a two-entree meal, Morton recommends the grilled teriyaki chicken and beef and broccoli. She warns against ordering anything fried with honey or sweet-and-sour sauce, which are high in sugar.
While the chicken and beef offer protein with lower carbs, the sides can have some. Morton recommends the "super greens" mix of cabbage and broccoli. "The super greens is a great option regardless of diet type because it has fiber, which is good for digestion," Morton explains.
Made-To-Order Pizzas At Domino's
"At Domino's, everything on the menu is made-to-order," says registered dietitian and nutritionist Tammy Lakatos Shames. As a result, nutritionists like to custom-design their pizzas. Nutritionist and dietitian Elizabeth Shaw opts for the thin-crust option with "all the veggies you can stomach."
If you don't want to create a pizza, registered dietitian Jenn Fillenworth recommends the Pacific Veggie Pizza. Choose a thin crust, and the small pizza will only have 220 calories per slide. Plus, the mushrooms, spinach, red bell peppers, and tomatoes will add plenty of healthy nutrients.
Burger King's Impossible Whopper
Although Burger King discontinued its veggie burger a couple of years back, it now offers the Impossible Whopper. The burger has a whopping 25 grams of protein with only 11 grams of saturated fat and no trans fat. "This burger is definitely one of the healthier 'burger' options available," says registered dietitian Keri Gans.
Does that make the Impossible Whopper a health food? Certified nutritionist and dietitian Gina Keatley says no. With over 1,000 mg of salt, and it is still fairly high in fat, especially as a combo. But if you're aiming for a healthier burger, it's an option.
Arby's Cravin' Chicken Sandwich
At Arby's, the Cravin' Chicken Sandwich stacks chicken breast, lettuce, tomato, and Cravin' sauce in between a sesame seed bun. Registered dietitian Nour Zibdeh told the Washingtonian that this sandwich is the lowest in fat that you can get at Arby's.
Zibdeh says that it's "moderate calorie-wise," with 380 calories (not counting any sides or drinks). Although it has the same amount of sodium as other Arby's sandwiches, the Cravin' Chicken supplies some fresh tomato and lettuce to balance out the nutrition. If you want less sodium, you can ask for the sauce on the side.
Breakfast Oatmeal At McDonald's
McDonald's offers breakfast oatmeal that's only 310 calories and four grams of fat. But this isn't the only reason to buy it. "I don't worry too much about the calorie count, but rather what it is I'm eating," says registered dietitian Dianna Sinni. The oatmeal offers fresh apples, dried fruit, and some low-fat cream.
In 2013, a study on oatmeal found that the dish makes people feel fuller and helps with appetite control. If nothing else, this 310-calorie dish could keep you satisfied for a while. You can also add a dash of brown sugar if you need it.
