Eating healthier doesn\u2019t mean giving up on fast food altogether.<\/p>\n
There are plenty of menu items\u2014other than salads\u2014that offer protein, fiber, and tons of nutrients.<\/p>\n
When in doubt, opt for nuggets or tenders and skip the soda on the side.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re on a specific diet or prioritizing \u201chealthier\u201d food options<\/a>\u2014as part of a new year\u2019s resolution or otherwise\u2014you may have written off the drive-thru altogether. But here\u2019s the thing: There\u2019s a very easy way to satiate your fast food cravings without totally derailing your goals in the process. <\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s just about strategic ordering! Registered nutritionist and dietitian Lauren Manaker tells Delish, \u201cwhile there\u2019s no need to obsess over strict limits, being mindful of foods higher in saturated fats, sodium, or added sugars is a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n And while you may think that a salad or wrap will cut it, it\u2019s not that obvious\u2014which is why we\u2019ve scoured 15+ fast food menus to determine the seven healthiest orders. You might be pleasantly surprised with what you can get.<\/p>\n When it comes to your order, Manaker adds that \u201cit\u2019s all about moderation\u201d when weighing the nutritional pros and cons of a meal. \u201cA grilled chicken sandwich might contain more sodium than ideal, but it also provides a good dose of protein and other nutrients to fuel your body. The key is to make informed choices\u2014pair that sandwich with a side salad instead of fries, or choose water over soda.\u201d<\/p>\n Chick-fil-A: Grilled Nuggets<\/p>\n Chick-fil-A\u2019s grilled nuggets are one of the best fast food options out there, thanks to their protein content alone: 25 grams. The rest of their stats are pretty impressive, too. The nugs have just 130 calories, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, 440 milligrams of sodium, and 1 gram of carbs. <\/p>\n Clever TikTokers have become particularly fond of the low-carb, low-calorie entr\u00e9e paired with the Kale Crunch Salad for added greens. The leafy side adds 170 calories, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 250 milligrams of sodium, 13 grams of carbs, 4 grams of protein, and 4 grams of fiber. The kale alone is packed with nutrients (including vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, vitamin K, potassium, and more), while the silvered almonds are similarly rich in protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.<\/p>\n Taco Bell: Crunchy Taco<\/p>\n If you want to keep it light on saturated fat and sodium (hint: you do), try the classic crunchy taco, which has 170 calories, 4 grams of saturated fat, 13 grams of carbs, 310 milligrams of sodium, and 7 grams of protein. Swapping the seasoned beef for slow-roasted chicken and opting for light cheese brings the calorie total down to 135. Add onions, tomatoes, jalape\u00f1os, or beans for a nutritious topping.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll want to skip the power bowls altogether. While they might seem like a better-for-you option, perception is not always reality\u2014in fact, they\u2019re packed with over 1,o00 milligrams of sodium.<\/p>\n Popeyes: Blackened Chicken Tenders<\/p>\n Popeyes\u2019 blackened chicken tenders are right up there with Chick-fil-A\u2019s nuggets. A 3-piece meal has 210 calories and an impressive 37 grams of protein. While they are higher in sodium (1,020 milligrams is definitely something to be mindful of), they have 2 grams of saturated fat and only 3 grams of carbs. If your main focus is high protein, low carb, these are a winner.<\/p>\n Wendy\u2019s 6-Piece Nuggets<\/p>\n While Wendy\u2019s 6-piece nuggets are breaded, they\u2019re much lower in, well, nearly every nutritional stat. They have just 260 calories, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 13 grams of carbs, and 540 milligrams of sodium, which is by far the least amount on the entire menu (salads included!).<\/p>\n Burger King: Whopper Jr. Sandwich<\/p>\n If you want to eat clean at BK, the Whopper Jr. Sandwich is a good pick. Seriously, yes, the burger! It\u2019s just 310 calories and 13 grams of protein. It does have a bit more saturated fat (5 grams), but the impressively low 390 milligrams of sodium helps level it out. If you wanna lower the calories and carbs even more, swap out the bun for a lettuce wrap.<\/p>\n McDonald\u2019s: 6-piece McNuggets<\/p>\n Much like Burger King, McDonald\u2019s menu doesn\u2019t offer many options low in sodium, saturated fat, and calories. However, the 6-piece McNuggets aren\u2019t too shabby\u2014especially given their 14 grams of protein. The meal has just 250 calories, 15 grams of carbs, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, and 500 milligrams of sodium.<\/p>\n Starbucks: Spicy Falafel Pocket<\/p>\n Starbucks\u2019 spicy falafel pocket\u2014introduced just last year\u2014has 230 calories, 1 gram of saturated fat, 430 milligrams of sodium, and 8 grams of protein. The chickpeas used in falafel are rich in protein and fiber and offer a host of additional benefits. Fiber can help manage blood sugar levels, lower the risk of heart disease, improve digestive health, and more. Chickpeas also contain folate, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a little higher in carbs, with 34 grams in total, so if that\u2019s something you\u2019re watching, you could opt for the egg white and roasted red pepper egg bites, which have just 11 carbs. They\u2019re typically available most of the day (not just breakfast) and are packed with protein, too\u201412 grams!<\/p>\n You Might Also Like<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Eating healthier doesn\u2019t mean giving up on fast food altogether. 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