Due to the uproar about fattening fast foods, many companies now make it a point to have low calorie offerings in their menus. As a result, now you actually have choices of low calorie menu items from many fast food joints. Most fast food restaurants have managed this by removing the usual greasy ingredients in their food items. If you are on a low calorie diet, next time you go to a fast food joint, you no longer have to worry that you will your entire calorie allotment for the day. Just stick to the following items:
McDonald's
McDonald’s is by far the most convenient fast food joint. Their golden arches are everywhere; you can find one on just about every corner in most places. But can it offer low calorie healthy food? The answer could be yes – depending on how you tweak their foods.
• Premium Grilled Chicken Classic Sandwich: Ask the kitchen to hold the mayo in order to save on both calories and fat. You can have this filling meal at only 370 calories with 4.5g fat, 1g saturated fat, 65mg cholesterol, 1,110mg sodium, 50g carbohydrates, 3g fiber and 32g protein.
• Premium Asian Salad with Grilled Chicken: Much of the fat in this salad actually comes from the almonds. This salad contains veggies and soybeans, which makes it heart-healthy. You can have this for only 300 calories with 10g fat, 1g saturated fat, 65mg cholesterol, 890mg sodium, 23g carbohydrates, 5g fiber, and 32g protein. Not bad at all!
• Fruit and Yogurt Parfait: Here is a sweet treat made low-fat yogurt and topped with low fat granola, strawberries, and blueberries. It is actually healthier but just as delicious as ice cream. What’s more, you get this treat at only 160 calories with 2g fat, 1g saturated fat, 5mg cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 31g carbohydrates, 1g fiber, and 4g protein.
Wendy’s
Next time you are eating on the run and see a Wendy’s, try these best picks.
• Mandarin Chicken Salad: You get a variety of lettuces and toppings, like roasted almonds and crispy noodles for a flavor-packed salad meal. On this you spend 540 calories with 25g fat, 3g saturated fat, 65mg cholesterol, 1,260mg sodium, 50g carbohydrates, 5g fiber and 31g protein.
• Ultimate Chicken Grill: Ask for lettuce, tomatoes, and honey mustard sauce to complete the meal and you would have eaten well on 320 calories with 7g fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 70mg cholesterol, 950mg sodium, 36g carbohydrates, 2g fiber, and 28g protein.
Burger King
You probably only think of burgers and fries when you see a sign saying Burger King but you can actually have some low calorie stuff from this place.
• Tendergrill Chicken Garden Salad: Ask the kitchen to hold the cheese and use Light Italian dressing. The whole dish will only come up to 300 calories with 16g fat, 2.5g saturated fat, 70mg cholesterol, 1,050mg sodium, 13g carbohydrates, 5g fiber, 33g protein.
• BK Veggie Burger: Just say “no mayo" and you can have a truly enjoyable healthy, cholesterol-free vegetarian delight for only 340 calories with 8g fat, 1g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 1,030mg sodium, 46g carbohydrates, 7g fiber and 23g protein.
Taco Bell
You can transform some usual taco bell orders by having them “fresco style” which means the kitchen will replace the regular cheese and sauce with a flavorful combo of fresh tomatoes, onions, and cilantro.
• Fresco Style Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco: A nice, filling meal consisting only of 170 calories with 4g fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 25mg cholesterol, 730mg sodium, 21g carbohydrates, 3g fiber and 12g protein.
• Fresco Crunchy Taco: This even healthier menu item has less sodium but is loaded with flavor. For this, you only spend 150 calories of your daily calorie allotment with 8g fat, 2.5g saturated fat, 20mg cholesterol, 370mg sodium, 13g carbohydrates, 3g fiber and 7g protein.