Feeling a little peckish? Thinking of steering your car towards MCDonald's, KFC, Burger King or another popular fast food restuarant? Would you like fries with that and a large cola? Most of us have eaten fast food of some type, driven through the drive thru of McDonald's, munched on a greasy burger on our way home from work, slurped an upsized soda and so forth. We can't deny it and we can't deny that the obesity epidemic is frightening.
But fast food chains are finally sitting up and taking notice, a host of them are now determined to give consumers nothing but healthy options. A plethora of medical studies have proved beyond a doubt that greasy fast foods can cause liver damage and so much more. Therefore one should investigate healthier options when dining out. Fortunately with the economic crisis staring us in the face, there may be a little more thought given to what we are spending our hard earned money on now. But for those who have no other alternative but to eat on the go, there are healthy options available in reference to fast foods.
Surveys were carried out on 100 of the nation's largest fast-food restaurants. The findings were interesting to say the least, with a host of popular food chains now boasting menus which offer meals such as healthy soups and salads. These are as healthy as the ones the health conscious person would make at home, thus made from healthy fresh grains and salad vegetables.Many deserts are more sensible and low in sugar, fats and sodium. But the better news is that these fast foods range from Asian meals, to Mexican and Mediterranean fare. Using a host of factors to score the fast food chains in lieu of fat content, preparation, sodium count, organic ingredients, nutritional content and so forth, surveyors found the ten fast food chains listed below to be the healthiest choices.
So what are the better options when choosing fast foods? Read below, these are in order of preference in regards to judging panels.
1) Panera Bread:
Top of the list is Panera Bread, and with 1,230 locations nationwide one can see it's very popular. The bakery-caf eatery certainly impressed the judges with very their healthy menu options for all meals. With such a great variety of meals it made choosing healthy so much easier. So what's so special bout Panera Bread? Panera Bread gives you not one, but two whole-grain breads to choose from. You also can also have an apple in place of chips. But take note that the chips are delicious and you can opt for the bakes ones if you wish. Soups are half sized so that one can control their food portion and most of the chicken in hormone free and antibiotic.
Panera Bread also won the top honours in reference to kid fare. Kids love the organic yoghurt and the peanut butter and jelly (made from all natural peanut butter.) And what kid would say no the grilled organic cheese spread sitting on top of whole-grain white bread. Try the half turkey artichoke on focaccia bread, order a bowl garden vegetable soup or black bean soup to accompany this and your taste buds will be in seventh heaven.
2) Jason's Deli:
Jason's deli prides itself on its organic foods. In fact approximately 1/5th of its ingredients are organic. Try the blue-corn tortilla chips and whole wheat wraps, they're to die for. Or sink your teeth into field greens, spinach or a Nutty-Mixed-Up-Salad laced with grapes, organic field greens, chicken breast, walnuts, feta cheese, raisins, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds and organic apples. Oh wow, delicious indeed! Reduced meal sizes are available and a reduced sized stuffed baked potato can cost you a dollar less. The sandwiches are deemed as ultra healthy and one can view the nutritional information. You have the option to build your own sandwich on an organic whole-wheat wrap, just ask how.
3) Au Bon Pain:
Au Bon Pain are said to be the pioneers of healthy food, you will soon find out why. With a host of healthy sandwiches, soups, hot entre and salads made with whole grains, fresh vegetables and hormone free chicken you will be more than impressed. Appetizers are so healthy and these include; blue cheese, apples, cranberries, chickpea and tomato salads. These are all less than 200 calories, the dieter will certainly be happy about that. Head over to the on-site nutrition kiosk and read all the nutritional information on the computer while waiting for your scrumptious meal. With a 14 item menu of portion controlled nutritious meals the health conscious will be controlling their calorie intake while eating some truly scrumptious meals.
4) Noodles and Company:
Noodles and Company have 204 locations and this isn't your typical greasy Asian fast food, only soybean oil is used, so there's no worrying about raising your cholesterol levels. With three food types to choose from which are; Mediterranean, Asian and American you have a variety of meals to choose from. But the choices don't stop there, you also have the option of selecting four noodles bowl types and these are; Lean proteins, hormone and antibiotic free chicken, shrimp or beef. You can have some organic tofu added to these meals as well. A giant thumbs up, these meals are superb. Try some Japanese Pan Noodles with shiitake mushrooms, Asian sprouts, sauted beef and broccoli/carrots. Dieters may like to try the small Bangkok Curry bowl which is a mere 250 calories.
5) Corner Bakery:
What's so great about Corner Bakery? The breakfast menu for a start. Try the Farmer's Scrambler which are scrambled eggs cooked with red and green bell peppers, mushrooms, red onion, cheddar cheese and potatoes. Don't worry it's only 250 calories if you order it with egg whites only. Like oatmeal? Well you'll love the Swiss oatmeal.This is actually a chilled European breakfast cereal which is made with rolled oats, fresh green apples, currants, bananas, low fat yoghurt and dried delicious cranberries. This is so delicious and definitely a meal in itself. But the options don't stop there, you can opt for healthy salads, sandwiches or soups made with whole grains, fresh vegetables and lean meats. Most pasta meals and salads contain a good serving of healthy oven roasted chicken.
6) Chipotle:
Want to say exactly what goes into your burrito, taco or salad? Well you certainly can at Chipotle. Construct your very won with fresh local ingredients. You can't go wrong choosing a meal from Chipotle, they won high marks for their total commitment to hormone free meats, organics, and their endeavour to source supplies locally. Try the burrito bowls which limits your carbohydrate intake by skipping the use of tortillas. With 800 locations nationwide, obviously they're doing something right!
7) Atlanta Bread:
Try the paninis, or low fat pumpkin muffin tops which are half the size of regular muffins, which are only 200 calories. With fresh sandwiches using whole-grain bread, healthy soup and salads, dining is a culinary delight. The fire-roasted black bean and corn salad is delicious indeed. One of the most popular meals is the Salsa Fresca Salmon Salad. What is in it? Succulent grilled wild Alaskan salmon fillets served on fresh greens with fire roasted black bean and corn salsa, as well as a pineapple/mango vinaigrette. Makes your mouth water just reading about it huh? Well wait until you try it, you'll be in seventh heaven.
8) McDonald's:
Yes McDonald's made the list of top fast foods. In actual fact McDonald's are said to be leading the way in overhauling the menu in lieu of offering healthier meals. Now the heart as well as the waist line will sigh in relief. Even the Happy Meals have been given an overhaul and one can now order these with a side of apple-dippers (with-low -fat caramel) in place of the fries. Mum and dad can sigh with relief as there is low fat milk or fruit juice on offer now, so slowly replace the sodas with these and the kids will be much healthier. If the tantrums for fries has you giving in don't despair as the fries are made using healthy canola oil. With only 230 calories for a small the fries are much healthier than they once were. Try a Grilled Chicken Classic sandwich or wrap which are certainly healthy options. Do away with the mayo and you have a very delicious meal and a healthy one at that! The salads using Paul Newman's low fat balsamic vinaigrette is extremely tasty. Like wraps? You'll love the 276-270 -calories Snack Wraps, filled with protein without an overload of carbohydrates.
9) Einstein Bros. Bagels:
649 locations and going from strength to strength, Einstein Bros. Bagels are a treat indeed. Yes, most bagels are high in carbohydrates, but here you will find some very healthy alternatives such as reduced fat hummus, shmears and peanut butter. How healthy is that? If that isn't what you want then try a Good Grain bagel which offers 4 grams of healthy fibre. The salads are great and the kids will love the bagel dogs, which looks somewhat like a little piglet snuggled cosily in a blanket. Upgrade and get a fruit salad. Or try the high fibre Veg Out on a delicious sesame seed bagel. Yummy!
10) Taco Del Mar:
Last but not least, Del Mar which has 270 locations in 22 states offers the freshest ingredients. The Taco Del Mar food chain gets tops marks for its new 320 calories chicken burrito which simply melts in the mouth. Available at most locations, this is a meal to write home about. Lard has been banned from the beans while the fish and tacos shells are baked instead of fried. The 460-555 calorie Mondito size burrito will fill you to the very brim while keeping the fat and sodium limited. But ensure that you don't even smell the Mondo Breakfast Burritos which contain well over 1,000 calories.
The list above itemizes just ten of the better alternatives when looking for healthy fast foods. Research online to learn about a host of other healthy options. Your health and well being is important, choose wisely, eat healthy and live long.