So I had this great idea to compile a list of fast food joints which actually offer healthy food choices, but while browsing the web I discovered Health.com already made, "America's Top 10 Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants". I am a fan of this list, so I am just going to summarize there fabulous tips here.
1. Panera
"For starters, you can pick from two whole-grain breads for your sandwich and have an apple with it instead of chips (though the chips are fine, too—they can be baked!). Half-size soups, salads, and sandwiches make it a cinch to control portion size. Also, most of the chicken is antibiotic- and hormone-free, a rarity for large chains."
I am a fan of Panera, although sometimes it does seem a little pricey for a chain. Last time I stopped by this place I asked for a side of apple with my half soup-sandwich combo and received a side of bread. Which I did not complain about because the bread was soo good! But I already had a sandwich so did I really need more bread? I think not. I give Panera major kudos for the hormone-free meat!
2. Jason's Deli
"About one-fifth of all its ingredients are organic, from blue-corn tortilla chips and whole-wheat wraps to field greens and spinach. Plus, its creative salads—like the Nutty Mixed-Up Salad with organic field greens, grapes, chicken breast, feta cheese, walnuts, dried cranberries, pumpkinseeds, raisins, and organic apples—make you actually want to order the greens."
So I have never actually been to Jason's Deli, I believe it is a Southern and Midwestern chain and hasn't quite made its may over to the Northeast. I hope it does one day cause it sounds delicious, you Southern belles seem to be doing something right!
3. Au Bon Pain
"A pioneer in healthy fast food, Au Bon Pain serves up sandwiches, soups, salads, and hot entrees made with whole grains, veggies, and hormone-free chicken. Au Bon Pain provides on-site nutritional information via computer kiosks, so before you even order you know each option’s calories, fat, and sodium"
I think Au Bon Pain varies from place to place, I have seen salad bars that look very sad and droopy but I also had an enormously delicious salad in Au Bon Pain the other week for just 7 dollars! I have never stumbled upon any of these kiosks but it sounds like a smart addition to fast food chains.
4. Noodles and Company
"Noodles and Company isn’t your typical greasy Asian food-court joint. In fact, it goes beyond Asian fare and cuts out the grease (only healthy soybean oil is used in sauteing). Here, you choose from three food types: Asian, Mediterranean, or American, then within each style, pick from four noodle bowl options. Lean proteins—hormone- and antibiotic-free chicken, beef, shrimp, and organic tofu—can be added, too."
This is yet another Midwestern chain I have never been lucky enough to try. It's amazing, I traveled all over the USA last year and always ended up stuck at a Panda Express or Jack in the Box, where were all these hidden treasures!? Well this sounds fantastic to me and once I start really diving into Healthy Road Tripping I will make sure to mark this place! Mmm...I wish it was lunch time already.
5.Corner Bakery Cafe
"What sets Corner Bakery apart? A fantastic breakfast menu, which is rare in the quick-serve world. We love the Farmer’s Scrambler: eggs scrambled with red and green bell peppers, red onion, mushrooms, potatoes, and Cheddar cheese. (It’s only 260 calories when ordered with egg whites.) There’s also Swiss oatmeal, a chilled European breakfast cereal made with rolled oats, green apples, bananas, currants, dried cranberries, low-fat yogurt, and skim milk."
Okay this list is just making me way too hungry. I do completely agree that there is a serious lack of healthy fast food breakfasts, and sorry guys but the McMuffin doesn't quite cut it.
6. Chipotle
"Buffet-style Chipotle gives every customer complete control over her burrito, taco, or salad. (Take that, Taco Bell!) And you get to build it with fresh, local ingredients. In fact, Chipolte won high marks for its commitment to organics, hormone- and antibiotic-free meats, and produce sourced from local suppliers, which is revolutionary in a chain this big. Many of its entrees can be low-sodium, if you choose add-ins such as the fajita veggies and green tomatillo salsa."
I do enjoy the Subway-style assembly line at Chipotle, which if you've noticed hasn't appeared on this list yet (Take that Jared with your large pants!). My one criticism of Chipotle is they should have some kind of smaller portion option because those burritos are LARGE, and although I always tell myself I will save some for later that never seems to happen. I usually just consume the entire thing and end up in a food comatose a half hour later.
7. Atlanta Bread
"Someone at Atlanta Bread must be a Seinfeld fan: There are muffin tops (half the size of regular muffins) on its breakfast menu—the low-fat pumpkin muffin top has only 200 calories, compared with 320 to 640 calories for regular-size muffins. But this chain’s got more going for it than skinny muffins. This innovative bakery also features whole-grain bread, fresh sandwiches (including paninis), and hearty, healthy soups and salads. It earned high marks for great sides, too, including fire-roasted black bean and corn salad."
I do love muffin tops, although I doubt they pop the muffin top off which is really what makes it special. Atlanta Bread is pretty amazing, scrumptious soups and sandwiches, what else could you ask for? Just walking into the aroma of this place makes me want to swim in delicious assortments of bread. Mmm...
8. McDonalds
"Among the big burger-based chains, McDonald’s is leading the way in overhauling its menu to offer more heart- and waist-friendly fare. Take the Happy Meals, which you can order with a side of apple dippers (with low-fat caramel) instead of fries and low-fat milk or fruit juice instead of soda. (Now the trick is just getting your kid to go for them!) And if you’ve gotta have fries, McDonald’s are made in a healthy canola-blend oil and come in at just 230 calories for a small."
Okay, I will not hate on this choice too much because the rest of this list is fantastic, but really? As a vegetarian I have never walked out of McDonalds with a good meal in my stomach. So I will acknowledge that healthy options may be getting better here, but all their salads entrees are pre-made with meat in them so I can't even eat a salad here! And I once read an article about how McDonalds injects sugar into their tomatoes and other produce to keep them looking fresher longer, gross...
9. Einstein Bros. Bagels
"OK, we all know that bagels are pretty high-carb, but slathering cream cheese or butter on them is what really gets you into trouble. No worries at this chain: Einstein Bros. offers healthier alternatives like reduced-fat shmears, hummus, and peanut butter—a great way to add healthy fat to breakfast (or lunch). It also serves a Good Grains bagel that has an impressive 4 grams of fiber."
Yes bagel may not be the healthiest breakfast item, but they are just so damn good! Nothing hits the spot like a fresh bagel, right out of the oven. So props to you Einstein for making bagels a healthier option.
10. Taco Del Mar
"You may have noticed that Baja-style Mexican cuisine—think: fresh ingredients and fish instead of beef and chicken—is a growing trend. Whole grains are easy to get here, with whole-wheat tortillas available as an alternative in burritos. The chain gets high marks for its new 320-calorie chicken burrito, available at most locations. Our judges were also impressed that Taco Del Mar banned lard from its beans and bakes its fish and taco shells instead of frying them."
This is another chain I have not gotten to personally try, but I just checked out their menu and I am now watering at the mouth because of their taco salads, yum. I was a little worried about a lack of vegetarian items, them being named Taco Del Mar, but they seem to have a well balanced selection. I will put this one on my to-do list.
View the Health.com article here
So now that you know there are better options, go try them! Try to avoid the typical crappy Taco Bell, Wendy's, KFC, Burger King (although they do have a veggie burger!) and so on. Good luck, if we all try a little harder to eat better maybe one day America won't be notorious for being the obese nation. We can all hope...
