Food Orders at Every Restaurant

You’re having the ultimate rock and roll-day — meaning you’re so busy, your only option for a meal is the nearest fast food restaurant.

Alyssa Jung, Lisa Mulcahy
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Food Orders at Every Restaurant
Atlanta Society
Atlanta Society

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You’re having the ultimate rock and roll-day — meaning you’re so busy, your only option for a meal is the nearest fast food restaurant. You’ve been trying really hard to eat healthy and keep up with all of your good-for-you lifestyle habits, so it’s discouraging to assume you’ll have to backslide with fatty fries or a greasy burger. Truth, though? There are menu items available at pretty much every fast food chain you can think of that won't send your routine ricocheting. It all comes down to ordering smart.

"I'm always working with clients to establish health-promoting eating patterns that work for their lifestyles — and sometimes, fast food is all we've got!" says Jaclyn London, R.D., nutrition consultant, podcast host and author of . "In fact, as a dietitian I can confidently tell you that there are some highly nutritious fast food options out there that are often better for you than other sit-down restaurant meals that are marketed as 'healthy' on the menu but are actually stealthily much higher in saturated fat, sodium and added sugars."

It’s a great idea to start with veggie-based options — but think outside the box. “Go beyond salad,” says Marisa Moore, MBA, RDB, LN, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Atlanta, GA. “Some restaurants have black bean burgers, veggie-rich soups and more.” Bowls can be an especially healthy pick. “Choose everything from Mexican-influenced bowls packed with flavorful vegetables such as black beans, salsas and grilled peppers and onion, to Mediterranean-inspired bowls with hummus, greens and pickled vegetables,” Moore suggests.

You can customize your order, too. “People tend to forget that they can ask for modifications, like requesting extra veggies on sandwiches,” says Laura Iu, RDN, CDN, CNSC, RYT, a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified intuitive eating counselor in New York City. “This is an easy way to add more nutrition. Depending on where you order from, I recommend loading up on veggies, lettuce, and even fresh tomato salsa for added nutrients and fiber. You can also opt for grilled items, such as chicken sandwiches or wraps, which usually have less fat compared to fried items on the menu.”

Below are some of the "healthiest" fast food orders you can find at McDonald's, Taco Bell, Popeye's, Wendy's, Chipotle and more.

July 14, 2024

Story attribution: Alyssa Jung, Lisa Mulcahy
Atlanta Society

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