Fast food often gets a bad rap for being unhealthy, and while it’s true that many options are high in calories, fat, and sodium, it’s not all bad news. If you’re looking to make healthier choices, you might be surprised to find there are actually plenty of Healthy Things At Fast Food restaurants. Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to completely avoid the convenience of fast food. Many chains now offer menu items that can fit into a balanced diet, and some are even making health a core part of their brand. So, what are the healthiest fast food options when you’re on the go?
Whether you’re aiming to lose weight, maintain a healthy lifestyle, or just want to make better choices when you’re in a hurry, understanding what to order is key. Many fast food chains are adapting to demand and including more nutritious items on their menus. Let’s explore some of the best “healthy things at fast food” chains and highlight the smarter choices you can make when you order.
15 Fast Food Chains Where You Can Find Healthy Things
1. Panera Bread: A Haven for Healthier Fast Food
Panera Bread is frequently cited as one of the healthiest fast food chains, and for good reason. They offer a variety of menu items that prioritize fresh ingredients and balanced nutrition. If you’re looking for healthy things at fast food here, salads are a great starting point, packed with fresh vegetables. However, be mindful of dressings, as they can significantly increase calorie counts. Opt for lighter vinaigrettes or ask for dressing on the side. Adding grilled chicken to a salad boosts protein without excessive calories.
Beyond salads, Panera’s sandwiches and soups can also be healthy things at fast food. Grilled chicken sandwiches on whole grain bread are a solid choice for a lighter meal. Be cautious of creamy soups, cheesy dishes, and sugary pastries, which can be higher in fat and calories. Whenever possible, choose whole grain bread and consider fruit like an apple as a side instead of chips to keep your meal balanced. For those wondering about the healthiest fast food chain overall, Panera Bread definitely ranks high due to its focus on fresh ingredients and customizable healthy options.
2. Taco Bell: Surprisingly Healthy Things at Fast Food
Taco Bell might not be the first place you think of when considering healthy things at fast food, but this chain offers surprisingly customizable and lighter options. Taco Bell stands out as one of the healthiest fast food chains in terms of menu adaptability. Around 75% of their menu items are under 500 calories, which is impressive for fast food. You can also customize almost anything to be vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or lower in calories.
One of the best “healthy things at fast food” hacks at Taco Bell is to order items “Fresco Style.” This substitution replaces mayo-based sauces, cheese, and sour cream with fresh diced tomatoes, drastically reducing calories and fat. For example, a Fresco Style soft taco can be just 160 calories, and a Burrito Supreme becomes a more reasonable 340 calories. These modifications make Taco Bell a surprisingly good option for finding healthy things at fast food.
3. Chick-Fil-A: Navigating Towards Healthy Things at Fast Food
Chick-Fil-A is a beloved fast food chain, and while famous for fried chicken, it also offers healthy things at fast food if you know what to look for. It’s easy to indulge in high-calorie meals here, but Chick-Fil-A is also one of the healthiest fast food chains due to its variety of lighter choices.
For healthy things at fast food at Chick-Fil-A, consider the grilled chicken wrap and chicken noodle soup, both relatively low in calories. The kale crunch salad offers a lower-sodium alternative. Gluten-free buns are also available for those with dietary restrictions. For a healthy fast food breakfast, egg white sandwiches and Greek yogurt parfaits are among the most nutritious options. However, be mindful of sauces; they can quickly add extra calories and fat. Choosing lighter dressings and using them sparingly is key to finding healthy things at fast food at Chick-Fil-A.
4. Chipotle: Building Your Own Healthy Fast Food
When asking “what fast food chain is the healthiest?”, Chipotle often comes up, and for good reason. Chipotle is a top contender for the healthiest fast food chain because of its build-your-own meal concept. This customization allows you to actively select healthier ingredients, ensuring a nutritious and tasty meal. This control is crucial for finding healthy things at fast food.
Salads and bowls are generally healthier things at fast food at Chipotle, as tortillas alone add a significant 320 calories. For protein choices, steak and sofritas are among the lowest in calories. Brown rice is more nutritious than white rice due to its higher fiber content. Load up on vegetable toppings and skip high-fat additions like queso and sour cream to maximize the “healthy things at fast food” aspect. While Chipotle is a healthy choice, be aware of sodium levels, especially with certain salsas and marinades.
5. Panda Express: Wok Smart for Healthy Fast Food
American-Chinese food isn’t always synonymous with “healthy,” often due to fried items and high sodium content. However, Panda Express is one of the healthier fast food chains, offering “Wok Smart” menu options. These designated items are designed to be healthier things at fast food, containing at least eight grams of protein and under 300 calories.
To find healthy things at fast food at Panda Express, explore the Wok Smart menu. You can further enhance your meal by choosing steamed brown rice and adding greens and tofu. Opting for grilled proteins like shrimp or chicken instead of fried options also significantly reduces calories and carbohydrates. By making these smart swaps, Panda Express can be a viable option for healthy things at fast food.
6. Sweetgreen: Dedicated to Healthy Things at Fast Food
Sweetgreen, though not as widespread as some chains, is explicitly designed as one of the healthiest fast food chains. With locations in 21 states, Sweetgreen focuses on rice and quinoa bowls and salads with bases like kale, lettuce, arugula, or spinach. The core concept of Sweetgreen is built around healthy things at fast food.
You can customize your bowl or salad with a variety of healthy toppings including nuts, seeds, beans, vegetables, and lean proteins. They also offer a range of dressings and sauces. The base of salads or quinoa bowls inherently makes Sweetgreen a top choice for healthy things at fast food. However, as with any customizable meal, be mindful of toppings, as calories can quickly add up if you overdo it on high-fat additions or dressings.
7. Subway: Customization for Healthy Things at Fast Food
When considering “what fast food chain is the healthiest?”, Subway consistently ranks well due to its emphasis on fresh ingredients and customization. Subway is a strong contender for the healthiest fast food chain because of its “Fresh Fit” menu and options approved by the American Heart Association.
Subway makes it easy to find healthy things at fast food. The Veggie Delite and Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki sandwiches are examples of heart-healthy options. These are typically made on nine-grain wheat bread and loaded with vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and cucumbers. Subway’s customization is key; you can load up on vegetables and choose whole grain breads. Salads are also a solid choice if you prefer to skip the bread, making Subway a reliable place for healthy things at fast food.
8. CAVA: Mediterranean Inspired Healthy Things at Fast Food
CAVA, a fast-casual restaurant chain, stands out as one of the healthiest fast food chains thanks to its Mediterranean-focused menu. The Mediterranean diet is widely recognized as one of the healthiest in the world, and CAVA brings those principles to fast food.
At CAVA, you’ll find healthy things at fast food like bowls and pitas filled with grilled meats, falafel, eggplant, and hummus. Their “RightRice,” made from lentils, chickpeas, green peas, and rice, offers more protein and fiber and fewer carbohydrates compared to white rice. Grilled chicken and roasted vegetables are among the healthiest protein and side options. Whether you build your own bowl or choose a pre-designed menu item, CAVA offers nutritious and lower-calorie healthy things at fast food.
9. Veggie Grill: Plant-Based Healthy Things at Fast Food
Veggie Grill is a completely plant-based fast-casual restaurant and is undoubtedly one of the healthiest fast food chains for vegan options. Their menu features vegan versions of classic comfort foods like buffalo wings, burgers, and mac and cheese, along with rotating seasonal dishes. Veggie Grill is dedicated to providing healthy things at fast food that are also plant-based.
For healthy things at fast food here, explore their vegetable and plant-based meat wraps and salad bowls. These options are packed with vegetables and fruits, increasing their nutritional value. They also offer gluten-free and low-carb choices. Be mindful of additions like tortilla chips and creamy dressings, which can increase calorie counts. Overall, Veggie Grill is a great choice for flavorful and healthy things at fast food, especially if you’re seeking plant-based meals.
10. Noodles & Company: Noodles with Healthy Things at Fast Food
Noodles & Company, another fast-casual chain, can also be considered one of the healthiest fast food chains. While specializing in noodle bowls, they also offer soups and salads. Noodles & Company provides options for healthy things at fast food within a noodle-centric menu.
The “LEANguini” line is a standout for healthy things at fast food, featuring noodles with 44% fewer net carbs and 50% more protein while maintaining their signature flavors. Their regular pasta bowls also include vegetables and lean protein sources like grilled chicken, Impossible “chicken,” tofu, and shrimp. For an even healthier swap, opt for zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta. These choices make Noodles & Company a place where you can find healthier, customized noodle dishes.
11. Au Bon Pain: Bakery Fresh Healthy Things at Fast Food
Au Bon Pain, a bakery-style fast food restaurant, is one of the healthiest fast food chains in the bakery cafe category. They offer a range of satisfying meals with good low-calorie options across their menu. Au Bon Pain focuses on providing delicious and relatively healthy things at fast food.
With a variety of sandwiches, soups, and salads, Au Bon Pain caters to health-conscious diners. They boast 19 low-fat soups under 200 calories. The chicken salad sandwich on whole grain bread is a relatively light option at 490 calories with good fiber content. Salads loaded with vegetables and lean protein are also excellent choices for healthy things at fast food. Au Bon Pain provides a lighter, bakery-fresh approach to fast food.
12. Wendy’s: Salad Surprises and Healthy Things at Fast Food
It might seem surprising to see a burger chain on a list of healthiest fast food chains, but Wendy’s offers more healthy things at fast food than you might expect. Beyond burgers, Wendy’s has a surprisingly diverse salad selection for a fast food restaurant.
Wendy’s salads include Cobb, Apple Pecan, Parmesan Caesar, and Taco varieties. These can even be ordered without meat for vegetarian options. To make these salads healthier things at fast food, order dressing on the side to control fat and calories. Be mindful of added cheese and tortilla chips, which can increase calorie counts. For healthier sides, consider a grilled chicken wrap, baked potato, or apple bites instead of fries. Wendy’s demonstrates that even at burger chains, you can find healthy things at fast food.
13. Native Foods: Eco-Friendly and Healthy Things at Fast Food
Native Foods is recognized as one of the most eco-friendly and healthiest fast food chains, particularly for vegan cuisine. While locations are limited, Native Foods stands out for its delicious and healthy dishes. Native Foods is dedicated to providing plant-based and healthy things at fast food.
As a vegan chain, Native Foods offers healthy options like the Sesame Kale Bowl and Buddha Bowl. However, they are also known for their vegan versions of comfort foods like chicken tenders and burgers. The plant-based ingredients make these dishes generally healthier than their traditional counterparts. However, even at Native Foods, be mindful of toppings and fried options like onion rings and fries. Overall, Native Foods is a great place to find satisfying and healthy things at fast food, especially for vegan diners.
14. Burger King: Finding Healthier Things at Fast Food, Even at Burger King
Again, hamburgers aren’t typically associated with health, but Burger King does have some options that qualify it as one of the healthier fast food chains in certain aspects. Burger King shows that even at traditional burger chains, you can find healthy things at fast food with smart choices.
A key highlight at Burger King is the Impossible Burger, though it’s only slightly lower in calories than a beef Whopper. To make it a healthier thing at fast food, remove mayonnaise and cheese and consider swapping the bun for a lettuce wrap. This reduces simple carbohydrates and saturated fat, resulting in a more nutritious meal. It’s a decent option if you need a quick meal on the road and are looking for slightly healthier burger alternatives.
15. Mendocino Farms: Innovative and Healthy Things at Fast Food
Mendocino Farms is both one of the healthiest fast food chains and one of the most innovative. Their menu rotates seasonally, ensuring fresh, in-season ingredients. Mendocino Farms prioritizes fresh and healthy things at fast food with a gourmet touch.
They offer sandwiches, salads, and soups, all with potential to be healthy choices. You can order sandwiches “breadless” for a low-carb meal or get the sandwich fillings as a salad. They also create healthier versions of comfort foods, like their “Not-So-Fried Chicken,” using shaved roasted chicken breast with crunchy polenta. A dedicated vegan menu further expands the healthy things at fast food options. Mendocino Farms offers a more upscale and health-conscious approach to fast food.
What Really Constitutes Healthy Things at Fast Food?
There’s no single “healthiest fast food chain,” but many chains offer healthy things at fast food if you know how to choose wisely. These 15 chains demonstrate that finding healthier options is possible. To make smarter choices, focus on swaps and menu options lower in calories, fat, carbohydrates, and sodium.
Finding healthy things at fast food is about making informed decisions. Swapping white bread for whole grain increases fiber intake. Ordering dressings on the side and avoiding creamy, cheesy ingredients reduces calories. Choosing lean proteins like grilled chicken and fish helps you feel full and satisfied while getting essential nutrients. You don’t have to give up the convenience of fast food to eat healthily. By understanding what constitutes “healthy things at fast food,” you can enjoy your favorite restaurants in moderation while maintaining a balanced diet.
Eating healthily is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle. Balanced meals fuel your body and help maintain a healthy weight. While fast food isn’t always the healthiest choice overall, many fast food places offer healthy things at fast food that can fit into a balanced eating plan. By being aware of the options at these fifteen healthiest fast food chains and making informed choices, you can enjoy the speed and convenience of fast food while still prioritizing your health.
