Surprisingly Healthy Fast Food Picks

When you think of fast food, the idea of eating healthy might be one of the last things to cross your mind. Unfortunately for those who indulge quite often in fast food, it could be harming not only your wallet but your body as well. What if I were to tell you, however, that there are some fast food picks out there that can keep you on the right health track? Here are some surprisingly healthy picks from fast food restaurants.

KFC

Didn’t think this fast food chain would make it to the list? Neither did I, but it did! The KFC original recipe drumstick is surprisingly low in calories (140), with 8g of fat and 2g of saturated fat. By ordering one regular drumstick and filling up on the sides of the chains, including corn on the cob, baked beans, or coleslaw, you’ll be getting vitamins and nutrients from the sides and protein from the chicken.

McDonald’s

Since the release of the Documentary ‘Supersize Me’, McDonald’s has made a very public effort to help its customers have the opportunity to make healthier decisions, starting with the release of their nutrition facts of each menu item and now even including calories on the menu. For breakfast, a great choice at McDonald’s is the Egg McMuffin, with lean Canadian-style bacon on an English muffin. Ringing in at 300 calories, it’s a much better option than your traditional sausage biscuit with egg.

For lunch or dinner, you might be pleased to know that the McDonald’s Hamburger made it onto our list too! Although the burger itself is pretty small, it’s one of the best sandwiches for your diet in the industry. For a little something extra, order a side salad and drizzle a low-fat balsamic vinaigrette over it.

Taco Bell

Another fast food chain that has worked to add healthier options to the menu, Taco Bell has its very own “Fresco Style” menu that has options that are lower in calories and fat for health-conscious customers to choose from. Whether it’s a softshell or crunchy taco you’re looking for, both are on our list. Between 150-170 calories, these tacos come topped with fresh salsa rather than cheese and sauce. You can also add a filling like beans or rice to keep you satisfied way beyond the parking lot.

Pizza Hut

Even though we all can’t deny loving the traditional, greasy, cheesy Pizza Hut pizza, sometimes we’ve gotta compromise for our health’s sake. The 12″ Veggie Lover’s Hand-Tossed Pizza rings in at 220 calories a slice (ouch) but has that same thickness of a Pizza Hut pizza that we all love. The pizza is just packed with vitamin-rich veggies that will add somewhat of a healthy twist to this option. Another pizza choice is the 12″ Fit ‘N Delicious Pizza with Diced Chicken, Red Onion, and Green Pepper which consists of a thin crust, vegetable toppings, and half the cheese of the regular Thin ‘N Crispy Pizza.

Wendy’s

Truth be told, Wendy’s has a huge menu with lots of healthy options hiding around bacon and cheese toppings. The Wendy’s large chili is not only packed with folate, iron, and fiber-rich beans, but the 12-ounce serving will definitely fill you up. Clocking in at just 330 calories, you can’t really find anything much better than that at a fast food chain.