Expert Advice / Health / Healthiest Fast Food Options

Healthiest Fast Food Options

There’s something so freeing about packing up the car and hitting the open road. Whether it be a cross-country voyage or a weekend getaway, summer road trips scream good tunes and great company.

But in most cases, road trips also mean lots of pit-stops to fast food restaurants (especially when you have a passenger with a tiny bladder). It may seem hopeless when it comes to eating healthy on your road trip, but we’ve made a list of some healthier fast food options, so you’re not stuck eating cheeseburgers and fries all weekend.

---

Pit Stop #1: Tim Hortons

• Oatmeal (Mixed Berries)
  • 210 calories | 3g fat | 44g carbs | 6g fiber | 14g sugar | 6g protein
  • A lighter option, also high in iron (15% DV)
  • Try asking for berries or maple sugar on the side, so you can control sugar intake

• Egg Muffin with Cheese
  • 280 calories | 11g fat | 29g carbs | 3g sugar | 14g protein
  • Out of all Tim Horton’s breakfast sandwich options, this is by far the lowest in calories and fat.
  • A healthier option is to skip the cheese and add lettuce and tomato

• Chicken Bacon Ranch Grilled Wrap
  • 380 calories | 14g fat | 39g carbs | 4g sugar | 3g fiber | 26g protein
  • Try asking for no bacon for a healthier option

• Harvest Vegetable Soup:
  • 80 calories | 0.4g fat | 14g carbs | 590mg sodium | 3g sugar | 4g protein
  • Out of all Tim Horton’s soups, this one is the lowest in sodium
  • Contains 20% of your daily intake of Vitamin A and C

 

Pit Stop #2 Wendys

• Grilled Chicken Sandwich
  • 360 calories | 8g fat | 38g carbs | 11g sugar | 35g protein
  • Add as many veggies as you’d like

• Power Mediterranean Chicken Salad
  • 480 calories | 16g fat | 42g carb | 18g sugar | 8g fiber | 43g protein
  • Can also order the half portion of this salad, which is only 250 calories

• Vegetarian? You can ask to hold the chicken on many salads

 

Pit Stop #3 Subway

• 6” Oven Roasted Chicken Sandwich
  • 320 calories | 5g fat | 46g carbs | 5g fiber | 8g sugar | 23g protein
  • Order this with the 9-grain bun, no cheese, and as many veggies as you’d like
  • Healthiest dressing options are:
    • Mustard- 10 calories
    • Sweet Onion Dressing or Vinaigrette Dressing- 40 calories
    • Light mayonnaise- 50 calories

Pit Stop #4 McDonalds

• Asian Sesame Fusion Salad with Grilled Chicken
  • 250 calories | 10g fat | 14g carbs | 5g sugar | 5g fiber | 26g protein
  • Just make sure to order this salad with grilled chicken, not crispy chicken

• Egg McMuffin
  • 290 calories | 11g fat | 29g carbs | 3g sugar | 2g fiber | 16g protein
  • The healthiest breakfast sandwich option at McDonald’s as it is lowest in fat, sugar, and calories

Pit Stop #5 Chipotle

• Burrito Salad
  • 355 calories | 8.5g fat | 10g fiber | 33g carbs | 7g sugar | 42g protein
  • Order this with Romaine lettuce, chicken, black beans, fajita vegetables, and salsa

• 3 Crispy Corn Tortillas
  • 420 calories | 16g fat | 6g fiber | 39g carbs | 36g protein
  • Order these tortillas with chicken, fajita vegetables, lettuce, and salsa
  • For added fiber and protein, add pinto or black beans for an extra 130 calories

 

Pit Stop #6 Freshii

• Buddha’s Satay Bowl
  • 500 calories | 17g fat | 71g carbs | 7g fiber | 7g sugar | 14g protein
  • The high level of carbs is mostly from all the healthy veggies in this bowl, but if you want to cut back on the total carbs, ask for no wontons
  • Add chicken or tofu for just 80 calories and extra protein

• Mediterranean Bowl
  • 490 calories | 24g fat | 53g carbs | 11g fiber | 11g sugar | 16g protein
  • Packed with quinoa, mixed greens, almonds, olives, roasted red peppers, feta cheese, and more veggies, this bowl is nutrient dense and will keep you feeling full for hours.
  • Looking for more protein? Try adding some chicken or tofu for more protein

 

One of the best parts about being on vacation is getting the opportunity to indulge in delicious foods. Whether you’re craving fast-foods or fine dining, you just need to make sure that you aren’t going overboard, as it’s easy to let your diet spiral out of control. Luckily convenience doesn’t always have to trump healthy, making it easier to save those vacation cheat meals for the foods that matter most to you.    

---

If you’ve got some healthy road trip ideas let us know! Tag us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter with #ReflexNation.