Fast food often gets a bad rap when it comes to health, and for good reason. Many options are loaded with calories, unhealthy fats, and excessive sodium. However, in today’s world, the demand for healthier choices is rising, and many fast food chains are stepping up to offer more nutritious meals. If you’re looking to maintain a balanced diet without sacrificing convenience, you might be wondering: where can you find genuinely Healthy Food Places?
The good news is that numerous establishments are now catering to health-conscious consumers. Whether you’re actively trying to eat cleaner, aiming for weight management, or simply seeking a more wholesome meal on the go, there are plenty of healthy food places that won’t compromise on taste or speed. We’ve compiled a list of fifteen top healthy food places, highlighting what makes them stand out and suggesting some of the most nutritious choices from their menus.
1. Panera Bread: A Bakery-Cafe with Healthy Options
Panera Bread often ranks high when discussing healthy food places. This bakery-cafe chain emphasizes fresh ingredients and offers a wide array of salads packed with vegetables. When choosing salads, be mindful of dressings, as they can significantly increase calorie counts. Opting for lighter vinaigrettes or asking for dressing on the side is a smart move. For a more substantial meal, consider topping your salad with grilled chicken for added protein. Panera also provides sandwiches and soups, with grilled chicken sandwiches on whole grain bread being a solid choice for a lighter lunch. It’s wise to be cautious of menu items rich in cream, cheese, or sugar, as these can be calorie and fat-dense. Whenever possible, choose whole grain bread and swap out chips for a side of apple to enhance the nutritional value of your meal. For those seeking genuinely healthy food places, Panera Bread is a dependable choice.
via Panera Bread
2. Taco Bell: Surprisingly Healthy and Customizable
Taco Bell might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of healthy food places. However, this fast-food giant has made significant strides in offering healthier and customizable options. Taco Bell stands out as a surprisingly health-conscious choice, boasting a menu where approximately 75% of items are under 500 calories. They also cater to various dietary needs, with options to make many menu items vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and low-calorie. A key feature for health-conscious diners is the “Fresco Style” option. By choosing “Fresco Style,” you can replace mayo-based sauces, cheese, and sour cream with diced tomatoes, drastically reducing calories and fat. This simple modification can transform a Soft Taco into a mere 160 calories or a Burrito Supreme into a 340-calorie meal, making Taco Bell a surprisingly viable option among healthy food places.
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3. Chick-Fil-A: Balancing Indulgence with Nutritious Choices
Chick-Fil-A, a beloved fast food chain in America, can easily lead to high-calorie, high-fat meals if you opt for fried chicken, milkshakes, and fries. However, it’s also recognized as one of the healthier food places due to its diverse menu and customizable options. While fried options are prevalent, Chick-Fil-A also offers a range of healthier choices. Consider the grilled chicken wrap or chicken noodle soup for lower-calorie options, or the kale salad as a low-sodium alternative. Gluten-free buns are also available for those with dietary restrictions. For a healthy breakfast, the egg white sandwich and Greek yogurt parfaits are among the more nutritious selections. A word of caution: sauces can significantly add calories and fat, so use them sparingly or opt for lighter choices. With careful selection, Chick-Fil-A can be a part of your list of go-to healthy food places.
via Chick-Fil-A
4. Chipotle: Build-Your-Own Bowls of Goodness
When considering truly healthy food places, Chipotle Mexican Grill is a standout, primarily because of its customizable, build-your-own meal format. This approach empowers you to select healthier ingredients, ensuring a nutritious and delicious meal tailored to your preferences. Salads and bowls are inherently healthier choices at Chipotle, especially when you consider that a single tortilla alone contributes 320 calories. For protein options, steak and sofritas are among the lowest in calories. Opt for brown rice over white rice for its higher fiber content. Load up on vegetable toppings and consider skipping calorie-dense additions like queso and sour cream. While Chipotle is undoubtedly one of the healthy food places, it’s still important to be mindful of sodium content, especially when choosing certain salsas and meats.
via Chipotle
5. Panda Express: Healthier Chinese-American Options
American-Chinese food isn’t typically synonymous with healthy eating, often due to fried dishes and high sodium levels. However, Panda Express distinguishes itself as one of the healthier food places by offering a dedicated “Wok Smart” menu. Items on this menu are designed to be healthier, containing at least eight grams of protein and under 300 calories, making them suitable for those seeking lighter options on the go. To further enhance the nutritional value of your meal at Panda Express, consider pairing your entree with steamed brown rice and mixed greens. Tofu, grilled shrimp, or grilled chicken are also excellent protein choices that help minimize calories and carbohydrates compared to fried alternatives. For those craving Chinese flavors without compromising health, Panda Express provides viable options within the realm of healthy food places.
via Panda Express
6. Sweetgreen: Salad and Bowl Heaven
Sweetgreen, while not as ubiquitous as some larger chains, is a prominent name among healthy food places, especially for salad and bowl enthusiasts. With locations in 21 states, Sweetgreen specializes in rice and quinoa bowls and vibrant salads featuring bases like kale, lettuce, arugula, or spinach. You have extensive customization options at Sweetgreen, allowing you to load up on nutritious toppings such as nuts, seeds, beans, and a wide variety of fresh vegetables and proteins. A diverse selection of dressings and sauces is also available to complete your customized creation. While the base of salads and quinoa bowls positions Sweetgreen firmly among healthy food places, it’s still crucial to be mindful of toppings and dressings, as they can quickly accumulate calories.
via Sweetgreen
7. Subway: Customize Your Way to a Healthier Sandwich
When considering healthy food places that offer customization, Subway consistently ranks as a strong contender. Subway distinguishes itself with its “Fresh Fit” menu section, dedicated to healthier options. Furthermore, they have earned approval from the American Heart Association for heart-healthy meals like the Veggie Delite and the Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki sandwich. These recommended sandwiches are prepared on nine-grain wheat bread and packed with fresh vegetables, including lettuce, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and cucumbers. Subway’s appeal as one of the healthy food places lies in its unparalleled customization. You can load up on vegetables, choose whole grain breads, and select leaner protein sources. Beyond sandwiches, Subway also offers salads, providing another solid and healthy choice for diners.
via Subway
8. CAVA: Mediterranean-Inspired Goodness
CAVA, a fast-casual restaurant chain, stands out as one of the healthy food places due to its focus on Mediterranean cuisine. The Mediterranean diet is globally recognized for its health benefits, and CAVA brings these principles to fast-casual dining. CAVA’s menu features bowls and pitas that you can fill with a variety of healthy Mediterranean staples, such as grilled meats, falafels, roasted eggplants, and hummus. A unique offering is “RightRice,” made with lentils, chickpeas, green peas, and rice, providing more protein and fiber and fewer carbohydrates than traditional white rice. Grilled chicken and roasted vegetables are among the most nutritious and lower-calorie options available at CAVA. Whether you opt to build your own bowl or choose from their pre-designed menu options, CAVA offers both nutritional value and delicious flavors, solidifying its place among healthy food places.
via CAVA
9. Veggie Grill: Plant-Based Fast Food for Everyone
Veggie Grill is a pioneering plant-based fast-casual restaurant chain and a clear leader among healthy food places for vegan diners. Their menu features vegan versions of classic comfort foods like buffalo wings, burgers, and mac and cheese, along with rotating seasonal specials, all entirely plant-based. Veggie Grill also caters to various dietary needs, offering gluten-free and low-carb options, further cementing its reputation as one of the healthy food places for diverse preferences. Beyond the vegan comfort food recreations, Veggie Grill’s menu includes vegetable and plant-based meat wraps and salad bowls, which are among the healthiest choices, packed with vegetables and plant-based proteins. However, it’s still wise to be mindful of additions like tortilla chips and dressings, which can increase the overall calorie count. For those seeking plant-based and health-conscious fast food, Veggie Grill is an excellent choice.
via Veggie Grill
10. Noodles & Company: Noodles with a Healthy Twist
Noodles & Company is another fast-casual restaurant chain that qualifies as one of the healthy food places, particularly for noodle lovers. While primarily known for noodle bowls, they also offer soups and salads. For health-conscious diners, Noodles & Company features the “LEANguini” line, which boasts pasta with 44% fewer net carbs and 50% more protein compared to traditional pasta, without sacrificing flavor. Beyond the LEANguini options, their regular pasta bowls often include vegetables, grilled chicken, plant-based “chicken,” tofu, and shrimp, offering good sources of protein and nutrients. For an even healthier twist, you can opt for zucchini noodles (“zoodles”) as a lower-carb and vegetable-rich alternative to traditional pasta. Noodles & Company provides options to enjoy noodle dishes while making healthier choices.
via Noodles & Company
11. Au Bon Pain: Bakery Fresh and Health-Conscious
Au Bon Pain, a bakery-style fast food restaurant, stands out as one of the healthy food places with a focus on fresh, satisfying meals that include numerous lower-calorie options across their menu. With a diverse menu encompassing sandwiches, soups, and salads, Au Bon Pain caters to various tastes while emphasizing healthier choices. For those particularly mindful of calorie intake, Au Bon Pain offers an impressive selection of 19 low-fat soups, all under 200 calories per serving. Their chicken salad sandwich on whole grain bread provides a balanced option at 490 calories, with low-fat and high-fiber content. Salads loaded with vegetables, combined with lean protein options, offer another excellent way to enjoy a low-calorie and low-fat meal at Au Bon Pain.
via Au Bon Pain
12. Wendy’s: Beyond Burgers – Salads and Healthier Sides
It might be surprising to find a burger chain on a list of healthy food places, but Wendy’s actually offers a relatively wide selection of salads compared to many fast food competitors. Beyond their burgers, Wendy’s features cobb, apple pecan, Parmesan Caesar, and taco salads. These salads can also be customized to be vegetarian by omitting the meat. To control calorie and fat intake, it’s advisable to order dressings on the side. Also, be mindful of added cheese and tortilla chips, which can increase the calorie count of salads. For healthier side options, consider a grilled chicken wrap, baked potato, or apple bites as alternatives to french fries. Wendy’s demonstrates that even burger chains can offer healthier options, making it a more versatile choice among healthy food places than one might initially expect.
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13. Native Foods: Eco-Friendly and Vegan Delights
Native Foods is recognized as one of the most eco-friendly and definitively healthy food places, particularly for vegan and vegetarian diners. Although their locations are fewer compared to larger chains, Native Foods is a top destination for delicious and health-focused dishes. As a fully vegan chain, Native Foods offers a menu rich in healthy options, including bowls like the sesame kale bowl and the Buddha bowl, packed with vegetables and plant-based proteins. However, Native Foods is also popular for its vegan renditions of comfort foods, such as vegan chicken tenders and burgers. The plant-based nature of the ingredients inherently makes these comfort foods healthier than their traditional meat-based counterparts. Nevertheless, it’s still wise to be mindful of toppings and fried options like onion rings and fries, as moderation is key. Overall, Native Foods is an excellent choice among healthy food places for satisfying cravings in a more health-conscious way.
via Native Foods
14. Burger King: Healthier Burger Options Are Possible
Similar to Wendy’s, Burger King, primarily known for hamburgers, might seem like an unexpected addition to a list of healthy food places. However, Burger King does offer menu options that make it a more health-conscious choice than often perceived. A significant draw for health-minded consumers is Burger King’s offering of Impossible Burgers, plant-based patties that provide a meat-alternative. While only about 40 calories less than a beef Whopper, the Impossible Burger offers a different nutritional profile. To make a Burger King meal healthier, consider removing mayonnaise and cheese from your burger and opting for a lettuce wrap instead of a bun. These modifications help reduce simple carbohydrates and saturated fat, resulting in a more nutritious meal overall, especially when seeking quick and convenient options from healthy food places while on the go.
via Burger King
15. Mendocino Farms: Seasonal and Innovative Healthy Eating
Mendocino Farms is not only one of the healthy food places but also one of the most innovative and interesting, with a menu that changes seasonally. This commitment to seasonal ingredients ensures freshness and variety, offering diners consistently exciting and healthy options. Mendocino Farms’ menu includes sandwiches, salads, and soups, all designed with health in mind and with options to customize for dietary needs. You can request sandwiches “breadless” to enjoy a lower-carb meal or transform any sandwich into a salad to further enhance its health profile. They also offer healthier takes on comfort food classics, such as their “Not-So-Fried Chicken,” which uses shaved roasted chicken breast with crunchy polenta to satisfy fried chicken cravings in a healthier way. For those seeking to eliminate meat entirely, Mendocino Farms also offers a dedicated vegan menu, solidifying its position as a leading healthy food place focused on both flavor and nutrition.
via Mendocino Farms
Finding Your Healthiest Food Places
Ultimately, there isn’t a single fast food chain that universally reigns as the “healthiest.” However, as we’ve explored, numerous healthy food places offer a wide array of nutritious choices and smart swaps on their menus. The fifteen establishments highlighted here demonstrate that you can find options lower in calories, fat, carbohydrates, and sodium even within the realm of fast and casual dining. If you’re looking to integrate healthier eating habits into your lifestyle, you don’t necessarily need to completely avoid your favorite fast food restaurants. Instead, the key is moderation and making informed choices about healthier menu options available at these healthy food places.
These healthy food places stand out because they empower you to make better choices. Swapping white bread or buns for whole grain alternatives increases fiber intake. Opting for salad dressings on the side and avoiding creamy or cheesy additions helps control calories. Choosing lean proteins like grilled chicken and fish contributes to satiety and provides essential nutrients.
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Eating healthily is a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. Nutritious, balanced meals fuel your body and support overall well-being, including maintaining a healthy weight. While fast food is often associated with less healthy choices, the reality is that many fast food places now offer healthy options. By knowing where to look and what to choose, you can enjoy the convenience of fast food while still prioritizing your health. These fifteen healthy food places and their diverse menu options are excellent starting points for making healthier choices when eating out.
