Hey everyone!

I work a job that has me running around the city all day and rarely allows me the chance to stop and warm up my lunch. What Protein filled fast food options have you all turned to in crunch time?

Right now my go to is Chic-fila's grilled nuggets (8 count)....

Would love some suggestions!!!

I try to keep Protein Snacks with me, but not for hunger - I will for get to eat snacks! But I need fast food tips too, because I have a five year old, and we sometimes treat him to fast food, and once I smell it, I want a bite too. My two tips consist of this - chicken nugget happy meals with fruit instead of fries, and a bottle of Water, or at taco bell, they have a 'light' menu, with chicken tacos that aren't too bad. Having a healthy snack with me helps, I can eat that first and not fill up on junk. I have to be careful, my body has begun to reject high fat foods, if the fat can be absorbed quickly. My body is so used to low fat that it flips out at high fat. I'll never be able to eat non-low fat ice cream again.

Oh, I almost forgot - Arby's has turkey sandwiches, you can just get turkey and lettuce, and even skip the bread.

coffee and one chocolate munchkin are enough for me at Dunkin Donuts, but I have really scaled back on DD. My son prefers it to Starbucks, but the bad-for-you baked goods at Starbucks are soooo much easier to resist, so that's where we'll go, if we go for a treat after school or gymnastics. I can be satisfied by a gigantic coffee or Teavana tea with splenda.

Honestly, given the option, I'll go for sushi over fast food every time, but my son isn't ready to eat raw fish yet (we'd let him, but he just says YUCK), so I do end up at fast food restaurants occasionally.

Any other ideas?

I got into a jam after a doctor's appt a few weeks ago...appt ran late and i had to get to a meeting and i didn't have any food with very limited options in the city while I jumped on the freeway to my meeting...McDonalds was the only option...I scoured their menu and finally ended with a grilled chicken wrap snack -- no dressing, so just chicken with some lettuce in a tortilla -- the stats for the "ranch" wrap -- 290 calories, 18 g Protein, 25 g carbs. I tore off the upper half of the wrap to just eat the chicken out of the top...

i've heard they will sell you a side of chicken or chicken wrapped in lettuce instead of the tortilla

i now never leave without food, no matter how short i think my time out will be

Side garden salad from McD, Burger King, or Chick fil a- add 100 cal pack of nuts and go very light in the dressing and no croutons. Dunkin donuts has some good egg white options in a small tortilla or sandwich thin- can't remember exactly what they call it.

Thank you for asking this question & for all the people who answered! My family & I go on a lot of trips, especially road trips with two kids & our dogs. I plan to pack ahead what I can, but some of our trips are long. I'm glad there are some options in a pinch that won't throw my diet off track! @ Lipsticklady I am 3 weeks out and I am craving olives & pickles! I can't wait until I can have raw veggies again.

Yesterday at taco bell I had a grilled chicken taco supreme with no shell ( in a bowl) add guacamole. Was delicious! And sometimes on busy days you have no choice!

At Starbucks I used to love to get the chicken and Hummus box but they are no longer selling it. I am so bummed. I do still get the Protein Box and then they also have a cheese and fruit option. And for Breakfast I still get the oatmeal. I am probably one of the only people that eats oatmeal for breakfast every other day but it helps keep me regular so I am ok with the carb intake.

I also love the Panera turkey chili and made a knock off of it last weekend. They don't sell it year round so I made up a big crockpot batch and put 3/4 of it in small containers to freeze.

I love everyone's suggestions. We just got a Chick fila in WA and I haven't tried it yet. It's good to know there's something I can eat as I also have kids and frequent fast food restaurants more because of them.

~LA

I don't eat a lot of fast food but if my kids want Taco Bell, I'll splurge on an order of Pintos and Cheese. I can't eat the whole container but it tastes so good and a great source of protein!

HI All -

This is a great thread! For me, Wendy's small chili with 2% american cheese slice and low fat sour cream makes a great meal (I can eat about half).

One thing, as I noted that many posters mentioned eating Chic-Fil-A grilled nuggets ... you may not know, but the regular nuggets are not bad at all (as long as your tummy can handle them).

Specs below to compare:

CFA Grilled Nuggets 8-count

Cal = 140

Fat = 3

Carbs = 4

CFA Regular Fried Nuggets 8-count

Cal = 270

Fat = 13

Carbs = 10

It was surprising when I looked it up, that it is quite ok to eat nutrient-wise, especially as a main meal for the day.

-RC-

That's a significant difference. Twice the calories and more than four times the fat? And the carbs, too!

Thanks for starting this topic and for all the replies! It was super helpful