Does Fast Food have to Wreck your Diet?

No. It does not. It all comes down to personal responsibility.

Are you willing to choose something on the menu that you typically would not? Are you willing to skip the McNuggets and McDonald's Fries even though you've loved them since you were a child?

If you answered yes, then this post is for you. I understand, traveling is not always conducive for healthy eating, but it is not impossible. I have compiled a list of general guidelines to follow and some sample healthy eats. This list is not all inclusive, but it should be a good start to making healthy fast food choices. Choices that have more protein, less carbs and may actually help you to feel satisfied while not feeling horrible.

Without further ado...

General guidelines for fast food:

No soda

No fries

Choose grilled rather than fried

Go light on sandwich toppings like mayo

Go easy on dressing for salads

Avoid buns or eat half the bun.

Lunch/Dinners:

Arby’s Roast Turkey Farmhouse Salad

Burger King Chicken Caesar Salad with Tendergrill Chicken and go easy on the dressing (½ packet)

Chick-fil-A Grilled Market Salad

Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap

Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets (8 pieces)

Chipotle Steak Salad with Lettuce, Fajita Vegetables, and Roasted Chili-corn Salsa

Chipotle Chicken Salad with Black Beans, Cheese & Fresh Tomato Salsa

KFC Kentucky Grilled Chicken Breast

McDonalds Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich (maybe ditch half the bun)

McDonalds Premium Asian Salad with Grilled Chicken + Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette

McDonalds Premium Bacon Ranch Salad with Grilled Chicken +Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette

Panera Thai Chicken Salad

Wendy’s Grilled Chicken Wrap

Wendy’s Ultimate Chicken Grill Sandwich (again ditch half the bun)

Wendy’s Chili

Breakfast:

Burger King’s BK® Breakfast Muffin Sandwich with eggs and cheese (not that great)

Dunkin’ Donuts Egg White Turkey Sausage Wake-Up Wrap

McDonalds Egg White Delight McMuffin

Starbucks Spinach & Feta Wrap

Taco Bell AM Grilled Taco, hold the bacon

Wendy’s Artisan Egg Sandwich with Applewood Smoked Bacon

Bonus for Thrifty Travelers!

Packed Lunch-style Meals:

For the bread, I would lean toward a low-carb wrap

In terms of lunch meat, stay away from: Bologna, Salami, Pastrami, etc.

Instead choose: Chicken, Turkey, Roast Beef, Low Sodium Ham, Tuna

Any cheese is fine, just go with one slice

Hard boiled eggs are great and travel well

Keep a shaker bottle with whey protein handy, just add water

A salad in a tupperware container with chopped chicken breasts or steak is a nice option too, make your own or buy one from any grocery store

I hope you found this helpful.

Happy Travels!