Sometimes it is inevitable that the only way we will have time to eat anything is if we stop at the nearest fast food restaurant and pick it up. This may mean a quick, somewhat cheap meal, but for dieters it can mean a meal of high fat and high calories. Hidden deep within the drive thru menus are some healthy choices that will keep you on track.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s is an excellent place to stop for a fast meal. The golden arches are part of America and there is at least one in every city and believe it or not, a healthy meal can be a part of your next visit. Healthy choices at McDonald’s include a grilled snack wrap with honey mustard sauce with 260 calories and 9 grams of fat, a grilled chicken sandwich is 420 calories and 10 grams of fat, but those totals can go down considerably by eliminating the mayonnaise dressing. McDonald’s also offers great salads with low calories and fat. The Asian salad with grilled chicken has just 300 calories and 10 grams of fat. Best of all, 70 of the calories comes from almonds that top the salad. Apple dippers, fruit and yogurt parfait and fruit and walnut salads are great alternatives to milk shakes and pies for dessert.
Like McDonald’s, Burger King also offers a lighter side to their menu, but it takes a little bit more of special ordering to eat healthy at Burger King. A whopper has a total of 670 calories, but that number can be cut by 160 if you order it without the mayonnaise, bringing it down to 510. The tendergrill chicken sandwich is also a healthy choice. With 450 calories in a regular tendergrill, by asking for the sandwich without honey mustard sauce, you can trim off 45 calories and bring the total to 405. The tendergrill chicken salad is the best overall choice at Burger King. Without dressing, this healthy meal comes in at 240 calories.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s is the best drive thru to choose if you are trying to eat healthy. A Caesar chicken salad has a total of 380 calories and that includes one packet of caesar dressing.
A small chili has 220 calories and makes a great side dish. Finally, a junior hamburger at Wendy’s has just 280 calories.
As you can see, it is possible to eat healthy at a drive thru. If you are still unsure about what to order then ask if they have a listing of nutrition facts available at the restaurant of your choice.
