Go ahead...stop at that fast food place...and still lose weight!

I’m a realist and know that it might not be possible for people to pack healthy food and eat their pre-prepared food at every meal. Life happens, and when we get busy and get starving, fast food temptations are at every corner ready to derail our healthy eating habits. But it doesn’t have to be a total loss at your nearest fast food place. Just make the healthiest choice possible when faced with a fast food emergency.

Below are some popular fast food spots that offer some of the worst food as far as calories, fat and sodium are concerned, but then also have a few surprisingly healthy choices. Choose wisely and you can survive the drive-thru!

McDonald’s

Order this:

• California Cobb Salad with Grilled Chicken with Newman’s Own Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette
• (310 calories, 14 grams of fat)

OR

• Side Salad with Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette and a Single Hamburger (no cheese)
• (315 calories, 12 grams of fat)

Wendy’s

Order this:

• Small Chili and Side Salad w/out dressing
• (270 calories, 10 grams of fat)

Taco Bell

Order this:

• Fresco Burrito Supreme Steak or Chicken
• (330 calories, 8 grams of fat)

OR

• Fresco Grilled Steak Soft Taco and Fresco Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco
• (330 calories, 8.5 grams of fat)

Pizza Hut

Order this:

• 2 Slices Veggie Lovers Thin ‘n’ Crispy Pizza (from a medium pizza)
• (360 calories, 12 grams of fat)

KFC

Order this:

• 2 Grilled Drumsticks, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy and Green Beans
• (315 calories, 11.5 grams of fat)

Subway

Order this:

• Any of these 6” sandwiches: Ham, Oven Roasted Chicken Breast, Roast Beef, Subway Club, Turkey Breast, Turkey Breast and Ham, Veggie Delite. You can add all the veggies you want to these sandwiches, but adding cheese, oil, mayo, ranch, etc will cause the calorie and fat content to go up.
• (about 300 calories and under 6 grams of fat)

Chipotle

Order this:

• A Burrito Bol (not a misspelling!) with Black Beans, Fajita Veggies, Tomato and Corn Salsas, Guacamole and Lettuce (VEGAN!!)
• (about 395 calories and 16 grams of fat)

OR

• A burrito Bol with Fajita Veggies, any kind of meat, tomato salsas, guacamole and lettuce (LOWER CARB!)

(about 390 calories, 20 grams of fat, 18 carbs)

Starbucks

Order this:

• Spinach, Feta and Cage-Free Egg White Breakfast Wrap
• (290 calories, 10 grams of fat)

OR

• Chicken and Hummus Bistro Box (LOWER CARB!)
• (260 calories, 7 grams of fat, 25 carbs)

Most restaurants have their nutrition information listed on their website, so if you don’t see your favorite fast food joint up there in my list, get the nutrition info before you have to make a pit stop so that you are armed with the information to make a healthy decision.

Happy eating!