“Fast food” doesn’t really come to mind when you think “healthy” and “weight loss,” but sometimes you just don’t have a choice. The good news is that there’s almost always something you can find that’s high Protein and low calorie. The bad news is that sometimes that’s not what you order, especially if you get flustered. It’s easy to think you’re ordering well only to realize that Caesar salad you ordered had over 1,000 calories.

In general, I usually look for a side salad with some sort of light dressing, and see if there’s some way I can get grilled chicken either as part of a sandwich or on its own. Some places have fruit or carrots now, too, so I’m usually pretty confident when ordering.

I like Subway salads, either with cheese or grilled chicken breast, and with one of their light dressings. McDonald’s is always a pleasant surprise because they have such a bad reputation but have a lot of good options, from egg white McMuffins to salads and apple slices to grilled chicken choices. Taco Bell Power Bowls can be good, too, as long as you skip the chips and sour cream.

So, just to help each other out, what are some of your fast food faves? What do you get at the major chains like McDonald’s and Taco Bell? Where do you head when you’re at the mall food court with your friends or family? What’s on your menu on travel days when your only food sources are the airport restaurants and convenience stores?

Chick fil a grilled nuggets are "ok" ... to me ... they are greasy ... I have to dab them on a napkin first ...

I've been sticking with the 1/2 size salad at Wendy's w/grilled chicken on it ...

honestly ... I don't know why I even bother with the salad ... by the time I get the chicken eaten off the top of it ... I am full and throw the rest away ...

but that is what I've been enjoying at the drive thru!

I like Burger King's grilled chicken burger with a bit of ketchup, lettuce and pickles. The entire burger is 16g Protein 2g carbs 11g fat.

Panda express!

Steamed veggies instead of noodles or rice.

Several Protein entree options under 200 calories, and no guesswork. They post the calorie count right there on the wall.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=panda+express+menu+nutrition

Chick fila regular or grilled nuggets 6 piece off the kids menu. Cheap, high protein and even the fried option only has 200 calories! Firehouse lite menu turkey cranberry or green turkey sandwich (minus most of the bread by the time I'm done. I just can't hold it). Any Jimmy Johns unwich (love the BLT). Kids taco meal at Chipolte.

Can I just add that I addicted to Lee's green Beans. I tend to keep a large in my refrigerator and add a tablespoon or two to my meals.

I just ate a tuna packet on top of a tablespoon of green beans with a tablespoon of pimento cheese in the microwave. Instant tuna casserole.

OK, just what are Lee's green beans, and what am I missing in my life because I've never heard of them?

Dunkin donut egg & cheese wake up wrap. I peel back half the tortilla, but it's pretty much just a single egg with cheese. That and a cup of coffee and I am good to go.

OK, just what are Lee's green beans, and what am I missing in my life because I've never heard of them?

Lee's Famous Recipe is a southern fried chicken fast food chain restaurant. I love their green beans because they taste home cooked and seasoned unlike green beans at other fast food chicken places.

http://www.leesfamousrecipe.com/menu/lee%E2%80%99s-famous-sides

I rarely eat out, but occasionally I will go to lunch with co-workers. I have goto options from the various places we go

Panda Express - A La Carte Small Kung Pao or the new Pacific Chili Shrimp is really good too

Chick-fil-a - Grilled nuggets, grilled sandwich w/o bun, or the new grilled spicy chicken salad is yum

Five Guys - Hamburger in a bowl with oinion, green pepper, mushrooms and a little A1

Habbit Burger - Albacore Tuna Filet w/o Bun

Jimmy Johns - ask for the sub "unwhich". They will wrap the sub in lettuce. Makes 2 meals for me

El Polo Loco - One or Two piece, take the skin off with steamed broccoli

Carl's Jr - BBQ Charbroil chicken or the Santa Fe (I love the green chili on this one) w/o bun

Del Taco - 1/2 green burrito and just eat the inside or chicken soft taco no white sauce add del scorcho myself

Taco Bell. Or any fast food place with tacos.

Thank you for the info on Lee's. So these are southern-style green beans. Got it.

Chickfila grilled nuggets and Wendy's chili, for sure. Also, Skyline chili for my fellow Cincinnatians

@@Babbs be careful with Wendy's chili. Knew someone who worked there and she told me it is made with their hamburger patties chopped with lots of ketchup, mustard, and some sugar mixed in. Ketchup is so full of sugar! Sent from my SM-G925V using the BariatricPal App

That's interesting to know. I've been eating it since my surgery 19 months ago, but now I may have to skip it from now on. Thanks for the tip!

True, I worked at Wendy's when I was a teen and we used left over burger meat. I don't remember adding ketchup, mustard, etc. But who knows know a days.

Sent from my SM-G920T using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for all of these great ideas! Thanks also to those of you who added the nutrition stats, too. I forgot to ask about those, but it is so helpful to see them posted here.

@@VSGAnn2014, I agree that McDonald’s is an easy choice. You always know what will be on the menu, so it’s very easy to plan ahead. I also like that you can actually get fruit there now: apple slices and tangerines.

@@OutsideMatchInside, thanks for the tip on Chick-Fil-A. I hadn’t realized they had those grilled nuggets – what a great find! They have some nice sides, too: chicken with some fruit and a salad can make a very satisfying and healthy meal.

@@erp, those are some good ideas. The Chipotle taco without cheese or sour cream plus lettuce and salsa has 230 calories, plus the taco shells. Each one has 70-80 calories, so stick with one and you’re right – you should be good to go! The El Pollo Loco double chicken salad is a good call. I just noticed that the Classic Chicken Salad has even fewer calories – 27.

Thanks to everyone for the tips. It really helps to know what to order where.