We have done some analysis on the current popular fast food brands in North America, and surprisingly, there are actually quite healthy food choices.
One important thing is that the big brands usually share the nutrition information, which can help people make better decisions.
According to annual sales, the most popular fast food brands in the U.S. include the following:
#1 McDonald's:
McDonald's is primarily selling burgers, and could be with higher salt and saturated fat. Trans fat cannot be avoided, but can be limited.
The following burgers can be considered healthier:
Beef: Cheeseburger, Hamburger
Chicken: McChicken, Ranch Chicken Snack Wrap with Crispy Chicken, Ranch Chicken Snack Wrap with Grilled Chicken
Sandwiches & Wraps: Filet-O-Fish
#2 Starbucks:
Starbucks is primarily focusing on snacks. We only look at its lunch options.
The following lunch options can be considered healthier:
Tomato & Mozzarella on Focaccia
#3 Chick-fil-A:
Chick-fil-A is everything about chicken. We only focus on Trays.
The following Trays options can be considered healthier:
Chilled Grilled Chicken Sub Sandwich Tray
#4 Taco Bell:
There are lots of options for Taco Bell. We only focus on Vegetarian, Tacos, and Burritos.
The following options can be considered healthier:
Vegetarian: Bean Chalupa Supreme, Bean Crunchy Taco Supreme, Bean Soft Taco Supreme.
Tacos: All Tacos are pretty healthy.
#5 Wendy's:
Wendy's is primarily selling burgers, but there are other options as well. We primarily focus on Cheeseburgers, Chicken & Wraps, Fresh-made Salads, and Classics.
The following options can be considered healthier:
Chicken & Wraps: Grilled Chicken Wrap
Fresh-made Salads: Caesar Side Salad
#6 Dunkin':
Dunkin' only provides snacks. There are no formal meals can be analyzed.
#7 Burger King:
Burger King is primarily selling burgers, but there are other options as well. We primarily focus on Flame Grilled, Chicken & Fish, Salads & Veggies.
The following options can be considered healthier:
Flame Grilled: Hamburger
Salads & Veggies: Garden Side Salad
#8 Subway:
Subway is primarily selling sandwiches. We only focus on 6' sandwiches.
The following sandwich options can be considered healthier:
6' sandwich: Grilled Chicken, Turkey Breast, Veggie Delite, Tuna, Veggie Patty
#9 Domino's:
Domino's is primarily selling pizza. We only focus on medium-sized feast pizza (Per Serving Size of 1/8 of pizza).
The following pizza options can be considered healthier:
1/8 of medium-sized feast pizza: BBQ Chicken, Canadian, Deluxe, Hawaiian, Veggie (can eat double), Donair Pizza (can eat double), Pacific Veggie
#10 Chipotle:
There are lots of options for Chipotle. But there are no fixed meals. You have to pick the food ingredients by yourself.
In conclusion, there are some healthy meal options for the most popular fast food brands. There is no big issue to eat outside occasionally, but you should only focus on the most healthy meal options. As well, most of you healthy eating options come from either healthy recipes or healthy meal delivery services.
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