As the name suggests, fast food is easy and convenient which is perfect for rushed days when you just don’t have the time or energy to cook an entire family meal. Most people automatically assume that all fast food is unhealthy and should be avoided at all costs.
The truth is that like most things in life, it’s all about balance. A couple of fast food meals now and then will not have a lasting impact on your kids. Several food choices are packed with nutrition and you can add a few of these to your order so that you and your family can enjoy a treat while still meeting your nutritional needs.
Top 7 Food Choices Packed with Nutrition
1. Chicken Salad
Chicken salad doesn’t have to be drowning in mayo for it to be delicious! Several food places offer healthy chicken salads that are low in calories and high in nutrition. For instance, the Qdoba Paleo Chicken Salad has only 300 calories per serving but it has a range of grilled veggies with chicken and guacamole.
With a healthy 27 grams of protein, it will keep you feeling full for several hours. This delicious salad also has just 4 grams of sugar and 20 grams of fat which makes it a good option if you’re on a weight loss diet. If you want to see better weight loss results, you can take a vitamin or probiotic supplement– a review of the best supplements for weight loss by independent health experts will help you choose one that suits your needs.
2. Hummus Salad
If you are vegan or vegetarian, you can’t go wrong with the Sweetgreen Hummus Crunch! The creamy hummus is the perfect companion for tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, romaine, and other crisp and crunchy veggies. A delicious pesto vinaigrette adds tang to this salad to bring it all together in a brilliant combination of flavors and textures.
The salad contains a healthy 14 grams of protein, 42 grams of carbs, 19 grams of fats, and only 405 calories. Sweetgreen’s focus on eco-friendly sourcing makes this a guilt-free choice for environmentally conscious diners.
3. Power Bowls
Fast food doesn’t have to be deep-fried and greasy! Power bowls are a simple, hearty, customizable option packed with flavor. The Power Menu Bowl by Taco Bowl is a cheap and healthy food option when you’re looking for a tasty but wallet-friendly meal. It has a seasoned rice base with beans, grilled chicken, and veggies with guacamole and avocado ranch sauce which give it a wide range of flavors.
This power bowl is under 500 calories with 26 grams of protein and 21g fat so you will not feel hungry for several hours at least. Choose a restaurant with sustainable practices to enhance your meal’s eco-friendly impact.
4. Burritos
As with most meals, burritos can be as healthy or unhealthy as you choose since most places allow you to customize what you want in yours. A burrito can be a healthy meal instead of a “guilty pleasure” when you pick the right ingredients. Another plus point is that burritos have fresh veggies which increases the nutritional content of your meal.
You can swap the regular rice for brown rice and add lean protein like grilled chicken instead of fried to make it healthier. You can also choose salsa and guacamole instead of cheese and sour cream to lower your calorie intake. If you’re looking for a quick meal on a budget, the Chipotle ranch grilled chicken burrito is a great option.
5. Crunchy Tacos
Each of us has unique nutritional requirements based on our lifestyle and health issues. For instance, if you have a heart health issue and your doctor has advised you to follow a low-sodium diet, you will need to cut back on your salty treats. However, the good news is that you don’t need to avoid all fast food; instead, you just need to look for low-sodium options.
Taco Bell’s crunchy taco is a good heart-healthy food option as it contains protein from beans and chicken but it is low in sodium with just 300 mg per serving. It’s also a low-calorie meal at just 170 calories.
6. Egg McMuffin
Most of us stress eat at the end of a long day but when you’re anticipating a rough day at work, it might be better to get your day off to a good start. Studies on the relationship between food and mood show that eating protein such as poultry and meats causes the release of dopamine and norepinephrine.
These hormones work together to make you more alert and increase your energy levels so you probably won’t feel quite so stressed when facing a rough workday. And there’s no better way to start your day than with the iconic Egg McMuffin from McDonald’s which has 17 grams of protein but just 310 calories. If you are on a low-sodium diet, you can skip the bacon.
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7. Pizza
No fast food list would be complete without pizza! Now pizza is notorious for being high in calories – in fact, a large “Works” pizza from Papa John’s can have over 2,000 calories. To put that into perspective, the average person needs between 2000 and 25000 calories per day! But not all pizzas are the same and there are plenty of pizzas that are low calorie but high nutrition but you just need to know where to look.
Blaze Pizza is one of the healthiest pizzas and allows you to build your pizza so you can pile on the veggies. There are plenty of other pizza places with healthy options and most of them are less than 200 calories per slice. Choose pizzerias with a commitment to sustainability, such as using organic ingredients or adopting eco-friendly packaging.
