Although fast food has long been associated with greasy, fattening, “bad for you” food, today it is possible for those with busy lifestyles to practice good fast food nutrition. More and more fast food places are making healthy options, such as salads, available. Even McDonalds, the purported nemesis of all healthy eaters, offers the health-conscious individual several options, such as a fruit and yogurt parfait, or various salads. Usually, common sense will tell you when you are making a healthy choice. But there are some surprises in store for you. Read on to get the fast food nutrition information for your favorite fast food stops.
Arby’s:
Arby’s light sandwiches are good options, including the light chicken sandwich, and the light turkey sandwich. Although “market fresh” in the title might make you think you are getting something healthy, you should avoid their Market Fresh Chicken Caesar sandwich like the plague. It contains a grand total of 820 calories, 342 from fat. And you may think a baked potato would be a healthy choice. Think again. A deluxe baked potato at Arby’s contains 650 calories with 306 from fat – not something to be eaten by those who are dieting.
Burger King:
The good news is that there is orange juice available at Burger King, which is fat free. The bad news is that this is one of only three healthy items available on their menu. You might think their Chicken Caesar Salad would be healthy, but it’s not. It contains 70 calories from fat…before adding dressing or croutons. If you are okay with eating your salad free of dressing this might not be a bad option. Otherwise, you may want to stick to their veggie burger (only 60 cals from fat) or take your business elsewhere.
McDonalds:
Contrary to its reputation, McDonalds actually offers a fairly good selection for fast food nutrition. Their English Muffin contains a mere 15 calories from fat, and they also offer low fat ice cream cones, bagels, and a variety of low fat grilled chicken sandwiches. McDonalds, however, certainly has its share of unhealthy foods. Avoid their McFlurrys and their triple thick shakes like the plague (a chocolate triple thick shake has 1,150 calories!).
Pizza Hut:
Pizza hut offers a line of “Fit’n’Delicious” pizzas, all of which are fairly nutritious, as is their “veggie lover’s” pizza. Even regular pepperoni pizza isn’t that terribly bad for you, at least not compared to a cheeseburger and fries. Just practice portion control, and get at least one vegetable topping, and you should be okay eating at Pizza Hut.
Taco Bell:
Taco Bell, like Pizza Hut, isn’t terribly bad for you. Most of their options are low in calories and not extremely high in fat. A chicken soft taco contains a mere 170 calories, with only 35 from fat. Ironically, this is much lower in calories and fat than the salads at most fast food places are. If you avoid ordering your tacos “supreme,” or getting their fried options such as Chalupas, you should be okay.
So if you exercise portion control, eat a variety of food groups, and make good choices, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy a fast food meal now and then, even if you’re health conscious or on a diet. Despite the stigma fast food has gained, good fast food nutrition is certainly possible.
By Riannon Cutler