NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Healthier fast food falls into that category of ‘better, not perfect.’ Typically, high in sodium with a lengthy list of ingredients that we wouldn’t have in our kitchens, fast food isn’t something to start adding in if you’re not currently having it. But for those who are on the run, looking for fast, convenient nutrition, here are 6 fast food options to consider.
Best Salad: Chick-Fil-A | Grilled Market Salad
- Mixed greens with grilled chicken, blueberries, strawberries, red and green apples, blue cheese.
- Per salad (including granola and roasted nut blend, but not dressing): 460 calories, 20 grams fat, 3.5 grams saturated fat, 595 mg sodium, 38 grams carbohydrate, six grams fiber, 17 grams (mostly naturally occurring) sugar, 30 grams protein
Best Grilled Chicken: Chick-Fil-A Grilled Nuggets
- Grilled Nuggets, nothing else. Available in five, eight and 12-piece servings.
- Per eight-piece serving: 130 calories, three grams fat, 0.5 grams saturated fat, 440 mg sodium, one gram carbohydrate, zero grams of fiber, zero sugar, 25 grams protein.
Best Fried Chicken: Popeyes | Blackened Tenders
- Nonbattered, nonbreaded version of Popeyes’ chicken tenders, with seasoning; formerly called Naked Tenders. Available in three and five-piece servings.
- Per three-piece serving: 170 calories, two grams fat, zero saturated fat, 550 mg sodium, two grams carbohydrate, zero fiber, zero sugar, 26 grams protein.
Best Bowl: Chipotle | Wholesome Lifestyle Bowl
- Made with Supergreens, chicken, fajita veggies, fresh tomato salsa and guac, the Wholesome Bowl is a fit for Paleo, Grain Free, Gluten Free and Keto diets.
- Per bowl: 460 calories, 29 grams fat, 18 grams carbohydrate, 35 grams protein
Best Smoothie: Smoothie King Gladiator
- Choice of chocolate, vanilla or strawberry Gladiator Protein and choice of two add-ins.
- Options for no- and low-sugar add-ins include almonds, peanut butter, matcha green tea, real whole no-sugar-added fruit and veggies including raspberries, blueberries, mango, pineapple, banana, spinach, kale, carrots and ginger.
- Per 20-ounce smoothie (with almond butter added in): 400 calories, five grams carb, three grams fiber, two grams sugar, 54 grams protein
Best Blended Coffee Drink: PJ’s Coffee | Eat Fit-approved Protein Velvet Ice
- PJ’s Cold Brew coffee concentrate blended with protein powder and milk.
- Per medium 16-ounce serving: 250 calories, six grams fat, 4.5 grams saturated fat, 230 mg sodium, 23 grams carbohydrate, two grams fiber, eight grams sugar (< two grams added sugar), 26 grams protein.
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Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD is a registered dietitian + nutrition journalist in New Orleans, and founder of Ochsner Eat Fit nonprofit restaurant initiative. Tune in to her podcast, FUELED | Wellness + Nutrition and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @MollyKimballRD. See more of Molly’s articles + TV segments at www.mollykimball.com, and sign up for Eat Fit Wellness Bites weekly newsletter, here.
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