Fact: You can get a healthy meal from most top fast-food chains. Don't believe us? It's true!
Not two tiny nibbles of a Big Mac either; we're talking about a full meal. The trick is to skip past the high-fat items that first catch our eyes and instead look out for the nutritionist-approved choices that are also hanging out on the menus. For help, keep reading to see our experts' picks for the best fast food meals. Now a trip through the drive-thru doesn't have to mean total diet abandon.
Sure the fries are classic but McDonald's also has some delicious salad options. Chicago-based dietitian Roberta Jenero suggests ordering the Premium Southwest Salad with grilled chicken. But avoid pouring on the large pack of Newman's Creamy Southwest dressing, which will rocket up the sodium and fat content. Opt for half the pack, which Jenero assures will still be plenty.
When it comes to KFC, skipping the 20-piece chicken bucket is an obvious move. Instead, fill up on the Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich. "Don't let the sweet sauce fool you into thinking it's high calorie!" says nutritionist and personal trainer Lauren Schmitt. She suggests balancing the yummy sandwich with a side of green beans for a complete meal.
"The Fresco menu at Taco Bell offers several items that are low calorie and have less fat," says Schmitt. "Plus the salsa is a pico de gallo style so you get real chunks of tomato."
Schmitt and Jenero agree the best bet is two Fresco Chicken Soft Tacos. Because this meal is still a bit heavy on the sodium, Jenero suggests "eating lower sodium at your next meal and drinking water to help flush the extra sodium out of your body."
No surprise here: The home of the Whopper's best option is indeed a burger, just veggie style. "Get the veggie burger without mayo and if you need a little extra calcium and protein add a slice of cheese," says Schmitt.
Fact: You can get a healthy meal from most top fast-food chains. Don't believe us? It's true!
Not two tiny nibbles of a Big Mac either; we're talking about a full meal. The trick is to skip past the high-fat items that first catch our eyes and instead look out for the nutritionist-approved choices that are also hanging out on the menus. For help, keep reading to see our experts' picks for the best fast food meals. Now a trip through the drive-thru doesn't have to mean total diet abandon.
