Fast food doesn’t always have a reputation for being healthy, so what are the healthiest fast food chains? Fast food is often associated with high calorie, high fat and high salt content, making it an unhealthy option for a meal. You can enjoy fast food in moderation as part of a balanced diet, however, you can also make healthy choices so you don’t have to avoid going to your favorite restaurants. Which begs the question: what is the healthiest fast food chain?
Many fast food chains have healthier options on the menu, so you can still make good food choices. But there are also restaurants that tend to be more health-focused with the food they offer. Whether you’re trying to lose weight or just want to live a healthier lifestyle, you have plenty of options. We’ve rounded up the fifteen healthiest fast food chains and the best options to order off the menu if you’re looking for the most nutritious food choices.
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- 15 Healthiest Fast Food Chains
- What Is the Healthiest Fast Food Chain?
15 Healthiest Fast Food Chains
1. Panera Bread
Panera Bread is one of the healthiest fast food chains and a great choice if you’re looking for a healthy meal on the go. The menu is full of salads that use fresh vegetables for a lower calorie count. However, you should be aware of the calories in the dressing. If you want something a little heartier, you can top the salad with grilled chicken. Panera also has sandwiches and soups. Grilled chicken sandwiches are a great option for a light lunch. You want to be cautious of dishes that have lots of cream, cheese or sugar as these can be higher in calories and fat. When possible, opt for wholegrain bread and get an apple on the side instead of chips. Wondering what the healthiest fast food chain is? Panera is definitely higher on the list than others.
2. Taco Bell
Taco Bell has many connotations but being one of the healthiest fast food chains isn’t one of the first that comes to mind for most people. However, Taco Bell is one of the healthiest fast food chains available and also has options to make their extensive menu vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and low-calorie. About 75% of the menu is under 500 calories, which is great for fast food and a quick meal option. You can also turn any menu item ‘Fresco-Style’ which uses diced tomatoes in place of mayo-based sauces, cheese and sour cream. Doing this can make a soft taco only 160 calories or a Burrito Supreme 340 calories, which makes Taco Bell one of the healthiest fast food chains.
3. Chick-Fil-A
Chick-Fil-A is one of America’s favorite fast food chains and it can be easy to have a meal that’s high in calories, carbohydrates, sodium and fat thanks to the fried chicken, milkshakes and fries. However, it’s also one of the healthiest fast food chains because of the variety of options it has. The chicken wrap and chicken noodle soup are low in calories, while the kale salad offers a low-sodium option. You can also swap the white bun for one that’s gluten-free. For breakfast, the egg white sandwich and Greek yogurt parfaits are among the healthiest options. However, you want to be cautious about the sauces, which can easily add calories and fat per packet.
4. Chipotle
What fast food chain is the healthiest? Chipotle is definitely one of the healthiest because you can build your own meal. This allows you to select the healthier ingredients to ensure you have a nutritious yet still delicious meal. Salads and bowls are among the healthiest options since the tortilla has 320 calories alone. Steak and sofritas are the lowest in calories for the proteins. Brown rice is the more nutritious option because of the higher fiber content. Stick to the vegetable toppings and skip queso and sour cream. While Chipotle is one of the healthiest fast food chains, you want to watch how much sodium your meal has.
5. Panda Express
American-Chinese food may not be the healthiest because of all of the fried options and excess sodium. However, Panda Express is one of the healthiest fast food chains because it has the ‘Wok Smart’ menu. The items on this menu have at least eight grams of protein and less than 300 calories, which makes it a good option if you’re looking for something healthier on-the-go. You can also use steamed brown rice, greens and tofu to make your meal healthier and opt for a protein like grilled shrimp or grilled chicken that can help reduce calories and carbs.
6. Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen is not one of the most widely recognized chains but it is one of the healthiest fast food chains. It has locations in 21 states and offers rice and quinoa bowls as well as salads that have kale, lettuce, arugula or spinach bases. You can top them with nuts, seeds, beans, vegetables and proteins and also have a variety of dressings and sauces to drizzle over it. Having a base of salad or quinoa bowls obviously makes it one of the healthier options. However, you want to be cautious about all the toppings as they can quickly add up in calories.
7. Subway
What fast food chain is the healthiest? Subway is one of the better options because it has a ‘Fresh Fit’ portion of its menu. They also have approval from the American Heart Association for a heart-healthy meal, such as the Veggie Delite and the sweet onion chicken teriyaki sandwich. These sandwiches are made on nine-grain wheat bread and contain lettuce, tomatoes, onions, green peppers and cucumbers. Subway is also one of the healthiest fast food chains because you can customize your order, loading up on vegetables and choosing wholegrain breads. If you don’t want a sandwich, Subway also has salads, which are solid, healthy options.
8. CAVA
CAVA, a fast-casual restaurant, is one of the healthiest fast food chains because of its Mediterranean menu. The Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest in the world. CAVA has bowls and pitas that you can fill with grilled meals, falafels, eggplants and hummus. The ‘RightRice’ made with lentils, chickpeas, green peas and rice, offers more protein and fiber and less carbohydrate than white rice. The grilled chicken and roasted vegetables are among the healthiest options at this restaurant. CAVA is one of the healthiest fast food chains in terms of both nutrition and calories. You can build your own bowls or purchase one of the pre-made menu options.
9. Veggie Grill
Veggie Grill is one of the healthiest fast food chains and is a plant-based fast-casual restaurant. The menu features vegan versions of buffalo wings, burgers and mac and cheese as well as rotating seasonal options. The menu also has gluten-free and low-carb options, making it one of the healthiest fast food chains. The vegetable and plant-based meat wraps and salad bowls are among the healthiest options on the menu other than the salad. These have lots of vegetables and fruits that increase their nutritional value. However, you want to be cautious of adding tortilla chips and dressings that can sneakily increase the calorie count.
10. Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company is another fast-casual restaurant that is one of the healthiest fast food chains. Here, you can get noodle bowls as well as a few soups and salads. The healthiest options on the menu are from the ‘LEANguini’ line which features 44% lower net carbs and 50% more protein while still retaining some of their signature flavors. Their pre-made pasta bowls outside of this specific line also feature vegetables, grilled chicken, Impossible “chicken”, tofu and shrimp, which can be good sources of protein. You can also opt for zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta for a healthier choice.
11. Au Bon Pain
This bakery-style fast food restaurant is one of the healthiest fast food chains. They have delicious and satisfying meals with good low-calorie options across the menu. Au Bon Pain has a variety of sandwiches, soups and salads to choose from. For the health-conscious, Au Bon Pain has 19 low-fat soups under 200 calories. The chicken salad sandwich on wholegrain bread has 490 calories with low-fat and high fiber content. You can also opt for a salad loaded with vegetables for something that’s low in calories and fat with a lean meat option for protein.
12. Wendy’s
It might be surprising to see a burger place on a list of the healthiest fast food chains. However, beyond the burgers, Wendy’s also has a relatively large selection of salads for a fast food restaurant. Wendy’s has a cobb, apple pecan, Parmesan Caesar and taco salad. These salads can also be ordered without meat to be vegetarian. You may want to order dressing on the side so you can control the amount of fat and calories. You should also be cautious of the added cheese and tortilla chips on some of the salads. A grilled chicken wrap, baked potato or apple bites can be healthier side alternatives to french fries.
13. Native Foods
Native Foods is one of the most eco-friendly and healthiest fast food chains. Though there aren’t many locations, it’s still one of the best places to go for delicious and healthy dishes. Native Foods is a vegan chain that has healthy food options like the sesame kale bowl and the Buddah bowl. However, most people love this restaurant for its vegan recreations of comfort foods like chicken tenders and burgers. The plant-based ingredients make these foods a bit healthier than their traditional counterparts. However, you still want to be cautious of going overboard on toppings and fried options, like onion rings and fries. Overall, Native Foods is one of the healthiest fast food chains to satisfy your cravings.
14. Burger King
Again, most people don’t associate hamburgers with health. However, Burger King does have some options on its menu that make it one of the healthiest fast food chains available. One of the major draws of Burger King is that it has Impossible burgers, though these are only 40 calories less than beef Whoppers. Though there is still grease and fat involved, you can make this sandwich healthier by removing mayonnaise and cheese and swapping the bun out for a lettuce wrap. This will reduce some simple carbohydrates and saturated fat, resulting in a more nutritious meal. It’s a good option if you need a quick feed or are on the road.
15. Mendocino Farms
Mendocino Farms is one of the healthiest fast food chains as well as one of the most interesting. They have a menu that rotates seasonally, so you can always be sure you’re getting fresh, in-season ingredients. Mendocino Farms has sandwiches, salads and soups on the menu that all have the option to be healthy. You can make sandwiches breadless to enjoy a low-carb meal or get the same flavors of a sandwich in the form of a salad. They also make healthier alternatives to comfort favorites like fried chicken. Their ‘Not-So-Fried Chicken’ uses shaved roasted chicken breast with crunchy polenta to satisfy your fried chicken craving in a healthier way. There’s also a vegan menu if you want to remove meat entirely.
What Is the Healthiest Fast Food Chain?
Fast food is quick and convenient but is not known for having super healthy options. So, what is the healthiest fast food chain? There isn’t one fast food chain that’s hailed as the healthiest option. However, there are plenty of healthy choices on the traditional fast food menu. These 15 top healthiest fast food chains have plenty of swaps and menu options that are lower in calories, fat, carbohydrates and sodium. If you’re wonderinghow to start eating healthy, you don’t have to give up your favorite restaurants. Instead, you can enjoy them in moderation and choose the healthier options.
These are the healthiest fast food chains because they have many options to make their menu items better. Swapping white bread or buns with wholegrain bread is a good way to increase fiber. You can lower calories by opting for salad dressings on the side and forgoing cheesy and creamy ingredients. Choosing lean meats like grilled chicken and fish can help you feel satisfied and full while getting a good source of protein.
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Eating healthily is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. A well-balanced meal fuels the body and can help you maintain your ideal weight. While fast food is a quick and convenient option, it’s not always the healthiest. However, many fast food places have healthy options on the menu.
The healthiest fast food chains have options that are lower in calories, as well as decreased salt and fat content. Knowing your options will help you make better food choices while still taking advantage of the speed and convenience of fast food. These fifteen healthiest fast food chains and the options they offer are the best options.
For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
