Healthy Living: Healthy Fast Food Restaurant, Fine Dining and Take Out Food Options
Disclaimer
-- The foods listed below are merely a dining guide to aid in maintaining your diet when you are out and about. Please use discretion with consumption as even at lower calories, many fast food and fine dining meals are high in sodium and bad carbohydrates. Think before you eat! --
Healthy Eating
In this on the go, fast paced world it is hard to avoid the temptations to pick up some Chinese take out for dinner, or hit a local coffee shop for a high sodium soup and bagel. It is easy to fall into the trap after a long day at work, when we are short on time, or something as simple as we just don't feel like cooking.
With all the delicious looking treats out there it is hard to know what is healthy, and even harder when everyone around you is eating greasy burgers and portion sizes that are 5 times what they were 40 years ago.
There's Hope!
You can even find smart choices at the most popular fast food chains without succumbing to the temptations of high calorie, high sodium and big regret.
Even the most unhealthy restaurant has at least one item that you can opt for when your family or friends want to dine there, and if it's not enough?
Split your meal in half and put one portion in a doggy bag for later; you cut your calories in half this way and can enjoy the treat another day at an appropriate portion size.
Let's face it, 9 out of 10 restaurants provide unrealistic portion sizes for a healthy society - how else do you explain the obesity epidemic that is an ever growing threat to the Western world?
Do your body a favor and make better choices with just a few of the options below, but don't overdo it - even healthy foods can be bad in high volumes.
McDonald's Chicken McNuggets with Sweet 'N Sour Sauce
-|- 4 pieces of chicken nuggets
-|- 1 packet of sweet and sour sauce.
Calories: 190
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
It's all about portion size!
4 nuggets isn't that much to get you through so add things that are healthier with it to balance the meal out.
Skip the fries and have a 20 calorie side salad topped with Newman's Own Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette for 35 calories paired with a 150 calorie fruit 'n yogurt parfait.
The two combined nets you only 395 calories for a tasty lunch!
Taco Bell Gordita Nacho Cheese -- Chicken
Calories: 270
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 2.5g
Cheese lovers rejoice! Smothered in cheese and mouth watering, this Taco Bell gordita is delicious and tummy friendly!
If cheese isn't your thing? Try Fresco items from the menu and you won't go wrong - so long as you stick to moderation!
Wendy's Ultimate Chicken Grill
Calories: 360
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 1.5g
Grilled instead of fried and topped with honey mustard sauce rather than mayonnaise, this sandwich from Wendy's is a hit for those watching their waistline.
Who wouldn't love something half the fat of all the other non-burger options available?
Pizza Hut 12" Fit 'N Delicious Pizza with Diced Chicken, Red Onion, and Green Pepper
-|- 2 slices
Calories: 340
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 4g
This pizza contains half the cheese of the regular Thin 'n Crispy Pizza!
Taking a bite of this awesome pizza covered in yummy vegetables and lean chicken piled on a thin crust will make your body thank you and your tummy happy!
KFC Honey BBQ Sandwich
Calories: 300
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 1.5g
I bet you didn't think you could have a sandwich smothered in sauce, did you? KFC has a very thick and sweet sauce, but it is not a diet buster!
Let your taste buds celebrate - this sweet barbecue sandwich is actually the lowest calorie, full size sandwich on the KFC menu according to Fitness Magazine.
How to Make Healthy Choices at Fast Food Restaurants
What is YOUR restaurant behavior?
Do you alter meals you order in restaurants to make them healthier? (Example: No cheese, light sauce, etc)
Fast Food Nutrition Guides & Calculators
- Nutrition, Pizza Hut Nutrition Facts | Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut nutritional information and Pizza Hut nutrition facts all can be viewed here online. Find out about our ingredients, food allergies and how to live a balanced lifestyle. - Wendy's
At Wendy's choose from a wide variety of great-tasting, satisfying meals that support the way you want to eat. - Mc Donald's Nutrition Guide
- Nutrition Calculator | KFC.com
View full KFC nutritional information or calculate your specific meal. - Taco Bell Calories and Nutrition Information
The official Taco Bell Nutrition Guide, featuring each menu item’s calories, fat grams, and more. Check out which items are gluten free, vegetarian and vegan.
Fine Dining Options
- Ruby Tuesday - Barbeque Grilled Chicken with White Cheddar Mashed Potatoes and Grilled Green Beans
- Calories: 504-679
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
Who would have thought you could have cheesy mashed potatoes and some delicious barbeque chicken and it be healthy?
- Olive Garden - Seafood Brodetto
- Calories: 480
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Longhorn Steakhouse - Red Rock Shrimp with Asparagus and Side Salad
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 10.5g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
Restaurant Survival Guides
- Red Lobster - Garlic Grilled Jumbo Shrimp
- Calories: 370
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Red Lobster - Grilled Lobster, Shrimp and Scallops
- Calories: 500
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
Restaurant Nutrition Guides
- Applebee's - Under 550 Calories
Eating right never tasted so good. - Applebee's - Weight Watchers
Delicious entrees endorsed by Weight Watchers®. Eating right never tasted so good.
Tips on Eating Healthy At Restaurants
Healthy Hubs
- Healthy Eating: Top 10 Unhealthy Foods That You Think Are Diet Friendly
Think you're eating healthy? Think again! Many of the foods we often assume are healthy can be junk food in disguise according to many sources. Here are the top 10 foods that are fooling you. - 10 Ways to Speed Up Your Metabolism to Burn Calories and Lose Weight
With small changes to your lifestyle and diet you can boost your metabolism naturally and lose weight. Here are just 10 ways to fire up your metabolism and to burn fat and lose weight forever. - Diabetes Diet: What to Eat When You Have Type 2 Diabetes - Dietary Restrictions for the Diabetic Die
Regulation of blood glucose is key to controlling Type 2 Diabetes. To avoid diabetes health risks like heart disease or kidney failure, try these super foods and find out what to avoid in your diet. - Lose Weight Fast: Best Diet to Achieve Weight Loss for Women with Apple Shaped Bodies
Apple shaped women are at higher risks for weight-related high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and stroke. Losing weight is essential to a long and happy life for apple shape bodies.
