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I know, it seems like an oxymoron when you say the phrase: healthiest fast food. Fast food is often revered as being unhealthy, and for the most part, it can be. There is a lot of deep frying, stuffing with cheese, and loads of fat, calories, and sodium that goes into many fast food options. Luckily, there are also some that are known for their healthier options, even if you aren’t talking about the entire menu.
These are some of the healthiest fast food joints to choose when other options aren’t available during your travels.
- Chick-fil-A
Surprisingly enough, the fast food restaurant with your favorite chicken is on the list! Chick-fil-A is great about using ingredients fresh that doesn’t contain a lot of preservatives or artificial ingredients. They make the food healthy each day and everything on the menu is free of trans fats.
Chicken sandwiches are okay, but the bread and cheese might be a bit much depending on how healthy you want to be. A better option is the chicken salad or grilled chicken nuggets.
- Chipotle
This one is probably not quite as surprising since many people know about the fresh ingredients and healthy options offered at Chipotle. Nearly all of their options are healthy, so this depends on your limitations, such as wanting to go low-fat, vegetarian, or low-carb. Choose a bowl if you want to lower the calories and carbs, or go with a salad. You can choose the grilled chicken and vegetables, rice, and any toppings you like.
- Panera Bread
If you are traveling somewhere that has a Panera Bread, you’re in luck! This looks like a diner, but it is actually more considered fast food. You order at the counter, then find your seat or have it to-go, but it doesn’t offer a drive-thru.
At Panera, choose any of their salads, sandwiches, or soups. Their chicken is hormone and antibiotic-free and they offer the choice of an apple instead of chips with sandwiches.
- McDonald’s
Yes, you can eat healthy at McDonald’s! The huge fast food chain is just about everywhere you go, so it’s important to figure out what you can eat. At McDonald’s, the general rule of thumb is to skip the burgers and fish and go for the grilled chicken. You can either eat it with the bun or go bunless to have it wrapped in a lettuce leaf for an even healthier option. Choose apple dippers on the side instead of French fries, or go for one of their salads instead.
- Subway
When you are craving a sandwich, you are sure to find a Subway around the corner. The main benefit of Subway is that you choose how your sandwich is made. Load it up with veggies and skip the cheese, or add some avocado for some good fats.
You can also get your sandwich in a flat bread for reduced carbs, or turn any sandwich into a salad to skip the bread altogether.
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