Summary of The 7 Healthiest Fast-Food Restaurants, According to Dietitians:
Poor nutrition is a leading cause of chronic diseases, and with six in 10 adults in the US estimated to have at least one chronic disease, it is important to seek out healthy fast-food options. Most fast-food meals are high in calories, fat, and sodium, but some chains have healthier options. Dietitians recommend Chipotle for salads, bowls, and tacos; MOD Pizza for vegetable toppings and salads; Starbucks for oatmeal, jerky, and protein boxes; Jason’s Deli for the Mediterranean Bowl and Wild Salmon-wich; Panera Bread for salads, soups, and grain bowls; Cava for veggie-packed bowls and pitas; and Chick-fil-A for the Cool Wrap, Grilled Chicken Nuggets, and Greek yogurt parfait. These options tend to be lower in calories, saturated fat, and sodium, while including vegetables, fruit, and high-fiber ingredients.
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Healthiest Fast-Food Restaurants: 7 Dietitian-Approved Options
According to the CDC, six in 10 adults in the U.S. have at least one chronic disease, with poor nutrition being a leading cause. Eating at fast-food restaurants is often seen as an unhealthy option, as most meals are high in fat, sodium, and calories, which can lead to various health problems. However, several fast-food chains now offer healthier options, and dietitians have endorsed some of them. Here are seven dietitian-approved healthiest fast-food restaurants.
1. Chipotle
Chipotle is a fast-food restaurant that offers fresh, healthy options. According to Kimberley Wiemann, MS, RDN, a Long Island, NY-based dietitian, Chipotle is her favorite fast-food restaurant because they offer an excellent variety of fresh meal options. Some dietitian-approved choices you can find on Chipotle’s menu are corn tacos, salads or bowls topped with beans, brown rice, a protein like chicken or steak or tofu, salsa, and veggies.
2. MOD Pizza
MOD Pizza is a pizza place that may not seem like a healthy fast-food option initially, but it’s all about the toppings. Melissa Altman-Traub MS, RDN, LDN, recommends MOD Pizza as they have a ton of vegetable toppings, vegan cheese on a thin crust, salads, and artisan-style pizzas with a broad assortment of proteins and veggies.
3. Starbucks
Starbucks is a coffee shop that has more than just sugar-laden pastries to accompany your coffee. According to Toby Smithson, a registered dietitian and Diabetes care and education specialist, they offer numerous food options that contain both carbohydrates and protein, which help keep blood sugar levels steady. Some dietitian-approved choices you can find at Starbucks are oatmeal, jerky, string cheese, Perfect Bars®, protein boxes, spinach, feta, and egg white wraps, Sous-vide egg bites.
4. Jason’s Deli
Jason’s Deli is a great option for people looking for a quick, healthy meal. Mandy Tyler, M.Ed., RD, CSSD, LD, recommends the Mediterranean Bowl, filled with chicken, quinoa, hummus, and fresh veggies, as well as the Wild Salmon-wich, a sandwich filled with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
5. Panera Bread
Panera Bread offers an array of veggie-packed salads, soups, and grain bowls. Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN, founder of NutritionStarringYOU.com, claims that “Produce is scarce at most fast-food restaurants, and Panera offers a treasure trove of veggie-packed salads, soups, and grain bowls with major customization available for every taste preference or allergy need.” Some dietitian-approved choices you can find at Panera include the Mediterranean bowl with chicken, autumn squash soup, Mediterranean Veggie sandwich, Fuji apple salad with chicken, turkey chili, and Greek yogurt with mixed berries and fresh fruit cups.
6. Cava
Cava is a Mediterranean-style fast-food restaurant that makes it easy to eat healthful, veggie-packed Greek- and Mediterranean-inspired dishes on the go. Alexandria Hardy, RDN, LDN, says, “You can customize a bowl or pita to fit a plant-based diet and can modify carbs if needed by swapping super greens and amping up the protein with RightRice®.” Most bowls are under 800 calories and can be loaded with various vegetables and lean proteins for a satisfying and nutrient-dense meal.
7. Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A, a fried-chicken joint, has several nutritious options. Caroline Thomason, RD, CDCES, recommends the Chick-fil-A Cool Wrap, which is packed with nutrition and delivers 43 g of protein and 14 g of fiber from the wrap! Some dietitian-approved choices you can find at Chick-fil-A are grilled chicken nuggets, the grilled chicken sandwich, Greek yogurt parfait, the Egg White Grill, Cobb Salad, fruit cups, and the Kale Crunch Salad.
Final Thoughts
Although fast-food restaurants have a reputation for offering unhealthy options, several chains offer healthier meals made with fresh and nutritious ingredients. With the help of these dietitian-approved healthiest fast-food restaurants, it is possible to eat healthily while still enjoying the convenience of fast food.
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