Health Trends in Healthy Fast Food: Analyzing the Shift Towards Healthier Options in Popular Chains

by Business Planning 29 March 2024

Healthy Fast Food

Fast food can’t be healthy, says who? Literally everyone? Well, not me. Fast food has this reputation of being the unhealthiest thing that you can feed your body. But is it really what it is? What if I tell you that there are actual healthy fast food options that are not just delicious but also pretty healthy for your body?

Well, you heard me right. People are way more concerned about their bodies, and no one really wishes to stuff themselves with junk from the streets. This is what gave birth to healthy fast food options. Here, you can enjoy your little fast food delight while keeping it healthy and hearty.

Being quite an oxymoron, it is surprising how much healthy fast food America has to offer to you.

So, without any more delay, let me take you through this healthy little journey and see how you can enjoy the mouthwatering fast food options while eliminating all the junk.

Tips For Healthy Fast Food Orders

Tips For Healthy Fast Food Orders

Keeping things healthy is your own responsibility. If you are not aware of what you are putting in your body, no one else will care. So, every time you wish to order some fast food, you need to make sure that you are aware of what you are ordering.

But, after all the junk we have been eating for this long, ordering healthy food may not be the easiest thing to do. So, let me give you some tips to help you order the healthiest fast food options that are both delicious and good for the guts.

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Check The Size of Portions

This is one of the most important tips that you can keep in mind even if you are eating something that is healthy. Too much health can, after all, become unhealthy. So, the first thing that you would want to keep in mind is the portion of food you are ordering. Just because you are ordering salad does not mean you would get endless bowls of it, thinking it is healthy.

Portion control is one of the healthiest ways to maintain a healthy diet through and through.

Choose healthy side dishes.

What is the point if you are ordering a salad with a side of onion rings or peri-peri fries? Apart from the main course, it is important that you also order a healthy side dish to avoid putting any junk in your body. A side of baked potatoes, butter, and cream, or a bowl of fruits or some steamed veggies serve as a good and healthy side dish option.

Think Green

The salads you order at a restaurant are not always the healthiest options. They come with multiple toppings and dressings that may be unhealthy for you. This is where you can get some customization done and make your salads or food greener by eliminating toppings like cheese, bacon, fried tortillas, etc.

Coming to the dressings, ask the food joint to provide you with the dressing separately so you can add only as much as you need. This way, you will have some control over how much of the unhealthy side you can eliminate from the food.

Go Grilled

Fried foods are the King of unhealthy junk foods. No matter what they tell you, there is nothing healthy about fried and breaded food. You can keep things light by ordering the grilled options, which are low in calories and very, very healthy.

Drink Smart

Carbonated drinks are the worst things you can put in your body. Even the milkshake that you consider good is not as healthy as you think. So, it is better to avoid any drinks that add more calories to your body.

This may come as a surprise, but drinking chilled water may also add more calories to your body. If you want to drink something cold, get a glass of normal water and add some ice to it. It is healthier than drinking chilled water right from the refrigerator.

Get The Nutritional Information

You can always check for the nutritional data of a restaurant before you plan to eat there. Most places advertise their most unhealthy options with words that can easily compel you to buy them. But you need to stick to your original plan when you walk in front of the counter.

You can also order online, so you do not have to fight the temptation of ordering junk when you step inside a food joint.

Examples Of Healthy Fast Food Options

While the tips can help you order healthy food, they become even more helpful when you know the actual healthy fast food options that you can rely on.

Here are some of those that you can easily get in your everyday fast food joints.

Popeyes: Blackened Chicken Sandwich

Popeyes Blackened Chicken Sandwich

When you walk into Popeyes, ordering their Blackened Chicken Sandwich is a good choice. This is a high-protein option. And the blackening seasoning gives the chicken a bold taste without too many sauces that have sugar in them.

Checkers: All-American Cheeseburger

Checkers All-American Cheeseburger

The simple cheeseburger is a great option when you are stopping by Checkers. It is one of their nonfried options. And it gives you a good amount of protein. When asked, they can also add in some extra veggies for additional nutrition.

Chipotle: Salad Bowl

Chipotle Salad Bowl

Chipotle’s salad bowl is one of their most popular healthy and hearty meal options. You can add in your choice of protein and vegetables and skip out on the cheese, rice, and sour cream to make it less heavy.

Shake Shack: Hamburger

Shake Shack Hamburger

This simple burger from Shake Shack is a very healthy option that cuts down the calorie and fat intake that comes from its other counterparts. And the best part is you can make it even healthier by wrapping it around lettuce and not bread. If you are a vegetarian, you can go for their delicious “Shroom Burger.”

White Castle: Original Slider

You certainly don’t need to feel bad about eating a couple of Original Sliders from White Castle. They are healthy in comparison to fish or chicken slider.

Fast-Food Restaurants with Healthy Options

Going to the right places to eat is an important factor to consider when you are looking for healthy fast food options. Here are some of the most popular fast food joints where you can easily get a good portion of healthy options that are just as delicious as their unhealthy counterparts.

Chipotle

Chipotle Mexican Grill is a popular restaurant chain that is famous for its burritos and tacos. They are one of those places where you can get grilled food and customize it as per your wish.

Chick-Fil-A

Chick-fil-A

This is a fast food joint that specializes in making chicken sandwiches. They were the very first of their kind to offer a food menu that was completely free of any trans-fat. Their aim is to make healthy food tasty. For kids, you can get fruit, a cup of sides, and milk to drink.

Wendy’s

Wendy’s

Wendy’s stands in third place in the biggest hamburger fast food chain in the world, after McDonald’s and Burger King. Even though their menu mostly consists of burgers and sandwiches, their healthy options like wraps and salads are some healthy options that are worth a shot.

The Cheesecake Factory

If you have a sweet tooth and want to maintain a healthy diet, The Cheesecake Factory is the right place for you. They were once under criticism for their high-calorie content and big portions. But now, they have come up with the “SkinnyLicious” menu that has healthier ingredients and smaller portions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)!!!

Q1. What are healthy fast foods?

Ans: Healthy fast food options are those food items that fall under the category of fast foods but are healthy in nature. These foods have considerably lower calories and are not as bad as the rest of the junk food that we feed our bodies.

Q2. What fast food restaurants are healthy?

Ans: Fast food restaurants are never healthy. However, they have options that are healthier in comparison to the options available on their menu. Some of the places where you can get healthy fast food are:
• Chipotle
• Wendy’s
• Checkers
• The Cheesecake Factory

Conclusion

Healthy fast food, no matter how funny it sounds, is a legit eating trend spreading in the US. With people becoming more and more concerned about nutritional choices, restaurants are becoming more cautious about consumer wellness. But, more than restaurants, it is the responsibility of individuals to look for healthy options if that is what they want. Even among the pile of junk, it is not impossible to get something that is not just healthy but tasty too. Through this article, you surely have gotten an idea of how to get your hands on the best healthy fast food options and where to get them.

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Upasana is a budding journalist who has a keen interest in writing. She considers writing as therapeutic and is most confident when she writes. She is passionate about music, movies and fashion. She writes in a way that connects with the audience in a personal level. She is optimistic, fun loving and opinionated.

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