Healthy (er) Fast Food Lunch Options
I don’t know about you but I am at a standstill when it comes to what I am going to have for lunch on the weekdays (and weekends actually). Now that I am moving towards a healthier lifestyle (I lost 3.8 lbs so far), I don’t want to screw it up at lunch.
I love salads, and at least once a month I head over to Jason’s Deli for their Nutty Mixed-Up Salad (no apples, extra nuts). I get the reduced-fat ranch dressing. It is delicious, the chicken gives me the protein I need, and I am full until snack time (3 pm-ish). I am trying to find other lunch options, more on the less-expensive-make-at-home-and-bring-to-work-variety.
If you are “stuck” eating fast food, here are some decent options:
TACO BELL:
Fresco Chicken Soft Taco – 150 calories and very tasty
Fresco Crunchy Taco – 140 calories
Fresco Soft Taco – 170 calories
WENDY’S:
Wendy’s has a great option on their website. If you are looking for a meal under 550 calories (that would be ME), you can choose from different “scenarios” – if you want a combo, if you HAVE TO have fries, if you want to spend about $5, and if you want a frosty. I chose the option “if you want to spend about $5”, and this is what came up
MCDONALDS:
I know how hard it would be, to pull up to the McDonalds drive-thru, and not be able to say “…and I’d like fried with that.” BUT, I did hear their salads are pretty good, and if the only fast food place is Mickey D’s, that is what I would opt for.
The Premium Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken is only 290 calories and is made of fresh-grilled chicken, fresh mixed greens, oven-roasted tomatoes, fire-roasted corn, savory black beans, poblano peppers, shredded cheddar and jack cheeses, chili lime tortilla strips, and a fresh-sliced lime wedge on the side. I might remove the beans if possible (or pick them out).
CHICK-FIL-A:
This is one of my all-time favorite places to eat! I always seem to get the urge to get some nuggets from them on Sundays, which is so annoying – BUT on every other day than Sunday, I would choose the following:
8 piece chicken nuggets – 260 calories, 28g protein, a bit high on sodium though
Chargrilled Chicken Garden Salad – 180 calories, 23g protein, not the breaded chicken I love, but it’s good.
