20 Surprisingly Healthy Fast Food Orders For Busy School Nights
Who Said Fast Food Had To Be Unhealthy?
It's that time of year again when the kids are back at school and everyone's lives become a lot more hectic. Between picking them up at school and taking them to extracurriculars, it can be hard to find time to cook a wholesome meal, but you also don't want them eating junk. Luckily, there are plenty of convenient fast food options that are actually healthy. Here are 20 surprisingly nutritious orders you can get at your favorite fast food chains for those busy school nights.
1. Chipotle Soft Tacos With Chicken
Chipotle has long been a go-to when it comes to healthy fast-food options. The soft tacos are full of lean protein and fiber. They also contain a lot fewer calories than a burrito, so they're a suitable choice if you're watching your calorie intake.
2. Taco Bell Fresco Crunchy Taco
Taco Bell's Fresco Crunchy Taco is one of the healthiest fast-food options you can order. Only 140 calories, it's ground beef and lettuce wrapped in a hard shell taco.
3. KFC Chicken Caesar Salad
Most people think of fried chicken when they think of KFC, but that's not all they have on the menu. The Chicken Caesar Salad is a good source of protein, calcium, and vitamin A, all for 370 calories.
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4. Subway Veggie Delight Sub
Spend your "meatless Mondays" at Subway. The Veggie Delight is a great source of fiber, especially if you get it on a whole wheat bun. Add avocado for a dose of healthy fat as well.
5. McDonald’s Grilled Chicken Salad
Yes, even McDonald's can be healthy. The Grilled Chicken Salad is a combination of grilled chicken breast, lettuce, cucumber, sliced tomato, and red onion, all tossed in a light vinaigrette. Availability varies based on location.
6. Chipotle Vegetarian Burrito Bowl
Chipotle is another great option for "meatless Mondays" when you don't have time to make something at home. The Vegetarian Burrito Bowl combines a variety of vegetables with rice, beans, and salsa. Add the tofu "Sofritas" for added protein.
7. Chick-fil-A Market Salad with Grilled Chicken
Chick-fil-A knows how to cook chicken, and that extends beyond deep frying it. The Market Salad with Grilled Chicken is only 330 calories and is a good source of lean protein and fiber.
8. Pita Pit Chicken Pita
Pita Pit is always a good option when it comes to healthy fast food. The Chicken Pita is not only delicious, but it's high in protein, healthy fats, and low in carbs.
9. Del Taco Taco Salad with Grilled Chicken
The Taco Salad is the healthiest menu item you can get at Del Taco. It includes marinated grilled chicken and fresh guacamole, delivering healthy fats and lean protein, cilantro, pico de gallo, and lettuce, giving you a healthy dose of fiber.
10. Wendy’s Grilled Chicken Wrap
Wendy’s Grilled Chicken Wrap is a tortilla filled with grilled chicken, lettuce, dressing, and cheese. It's the perfect option for those of us looking for something lighter than a greasy burger at Wendy's.
11. Starbucks Chicken & Quinoa Protein Bowl
More of a premium option but undeniably healthy, the Starbucks Chicken and Protein Bowl contains a rainbow of ingredients. With chicken, quinoa, beans, and a mixture of veggies, it packs tons of fiber and protein.
12. Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Nuggets
That's right, chicken nuggets don't need to be breaded and fried. Chick-fil-A offers tasty and light grilled chicken nuggets, which are bite-sized pieces of juicy chicken served with dipping sauce for only 200 calories.
13. Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap
The Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap at Chick-fil-A is a 350-calorie meal containing plenty of lean protein and fiber. It's one of the healthiest things you can order at Chick-fil-A.
14. Starbucks Spinach, Feta, and Egg White Wrap
Yes, the Spinach, Feta and Egg White Wrap at Starbucks is just as healthy as it sounds, but it's tasty and filling, too. It's only around 290 calories and packs in 20 grams of protein.
15. Pizza Hut Veggie Lover's Thin 'N Crispy Pizza
The Veggie Lover's Thin 'N Crispy Pizza at Pizza Hut is astonishingly light and healthy for a pizza. It still feels like an indulgence, but its thinner crust keeps it low-cal and allows the emphasis to be on the vegetables.
16. Panda Express Mushroom Chicken
Most people's association with Panda Express is the Orange Chicken, but that dish has tons of sugar and empty carbs. The Mushroom Chicken, which is pan-fried with a light sauce and plenty of veggies, is a much healthier option.
17. Wendy's Apple Pecan Chicken Salad
Wendy's Apple Pecan Chicken Salad is a surprisingly delicious and classy option for a fast food restaurant to be serving. Full of healthy fiber and lean protein, it's also one of the healthiest options on the menu.
18. Panera Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
Many of the soups at Panera are cream-based and should be avoided because of all the unhealthy fat content, but the Chicken Noodle Soup is an exception. It's a cozy, low-calorie broth-based soup with healthy chicken, vegetables, and egg noodles.
19. Domino's Thin Crust Veggie Pizza
The Thin Crust Pizza at Domino's packs in all the flavor of a regular pizza but spends fewer calories on empty carbs. Veggie toppings include nutrient-packed spinach, onions, tomatoes, and mushrooms.
20. Subway Oven-Roasted Chicken Sub on Whole Wheat
When it comes to Subway, you can't get much healthier than the Oven-Roasted Chicken Sub, especially on whole wheat bread. The 6-inch is only 320 calories and contains around 23 grams of lean protein.
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