Fast food is renowned as unhealthy and packed with salt, fat, and calories.

There is some good news, however. Though many fast food options are refined, processed, or deep-fried, a few fast food establishments now offer healthier options.

For a more healthy selection, make sure to choose foods containing vegetables, healthy protein sources, and whole grains. Also, selecting items that are cooked or baked instead of fried will significantly lower the calories and fats you consume in your meals.

Below are 5 nutritious fast food options you can enjoy with no guilt. Certain restaurants have healthier alternatives than others so they will be featured often.

Read Greggs vegan sausage roll calories

1. Saladworks: Farmhouse Salad

This salad is a diverse variety of vegetables high in fiber. These include butternut squash, kale as well as Brussels sprouts.

Fiber travels slowly through the body, largely unabsorbed. It can increase feelings of fullness while maintaining regularity and lowering the risk of some conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

This salad packs 5 grams of fiber that can meet up to 20 percent of your daily nutritional requirements.

Add your preferred vinaigrette dressing to make it light and delicious.

This is the nutrient value of One Farmhouse Salad with Italian vinaigrette

  • Calories: 420
  • Fat 28 grams
  • Protein: 14 grams
  • Carbs 30 grams
  • Fiber 5 grams

2. Panera: Strawberry Poppyseed Salad With Chicken

It is packed with sodium, calories, and fat. However, it is high in protein and fiber.

It also has a range of vegetables and fruits, which provide minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.

This includes romaine lettuce, Mandarin oranges, pineapple, and strawberries.

Panera serves this salad in the form of a half or whole serving. Half portions are an excellent side dish. It is done alongside a soup or sandwich, while an entire serving is a satisfying dish.

This is the nutrient value for a complete portion of Strawberry Poppyseed Salad with chicken:

  • Calories: 340
  • Fat 12 grams
  • Protein: 30 grams
  • Carbs 32 grams
  • Fiber 6 grams of fiber

3. Pret A Manger: Coconut Chicken & Miso Sweet Potato Balance Box

Superstar ingredients in this nutritious dinner include chargrilled chicken sweet potatoes with maple miso avocado, pomegranates, avocado, and a mix of seeds on top of brown rice, spinach, chickpeas, and red Quinoa.

This food item meets the requirements for a nutritious fast food that is high in fibre, protein, and calories. It contains a healthy mix of whole vegetables, grains, and fats.

Chickpeas, coconut chicken, and Quinoa increase the protein to 30 grams per serving. Meanwhile, avocado delivers some heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

This is the nutrient count in the 14.4-ounce (409-gram) serving of coconut Chicken and Miso the Sweet Potato Balance box.

  • Calories: 500
  • Fat 26 grams
  • Protein: 30 grams
  • Carbs The weight is 58 grams
  • Fiber 13 grams

4. Starbucks: Sous Vide Egg Bites

If you're looking for a healthy breakfast-to-go, eggs are a delicious and healthy alternative.

The process of sous vide can be described as a cooking technique involving sealing food items in a pouch, then cooking in an immersion bath to attain the exact degree of doneness.

These bites also contain Monterey Jack cheese, spinach, and red peppers cooked in the fire. Each bite is packed with thirteen grams of protein.

Certain studies have shown that breakfast with high protein levels could aid in weight loss.

A 2015 study examined the diets of 57 young adults who skipped breakfast or had an average or high-protein breakfast.

The breakfast group with high protein had decreased hunger and food intake throughout the day. It also had less body fat gain than no-breakfast and the average protein breakfast groups (5Trusted Source.

Take these egg bites to have a light breakfast, or pair them with a healthy breakfast item, such as Greek yogurt or oatmeal, for a protein-rich breakfast.

This is the nutritional content of the two Egg White & Red Pepper Sous Vide Egg Bites (6):

  • Calories: 170
  • Fat 7 grams of fat
  • Protein: 13 grams
  • Carbs 13 grams
  • Fiber 1 Gram

Also read: Fast Food: How It can Contribute to Obesity?

5. Chick-fil-A: Grilled Nuggets and Superfood Side

These grilled nuggets are healthy, packed with protein, and a great option when moving.

Choosing nuggets that are cooked rather than deep-fried can make a massive distinction in nutrition.

In comparison to the standard chicken nuggets at Chick-fil-A, grilled nuggets are nearly half as high in calories, one-third the amount of fat, and less than 50% in sodium.

Combine them with the Superfood Side, which includes broccolini, kale and dried cherries, and nuts with the maple vinaigrette. It adds more nutrients, vitamins, and fiber to your meal.

Here is the nutritional content for a serving of 12 pieces of Grilled Nuggets as well as one serving of Superfood Side :

  • Calories: 400
  • Fat 14g of fat
  • Protein: 42 grams
  • Carbs 28 grams
  • Fiber 3 grams

The Bottom Line

While it is ideal to follow a diet with a minimum amount of refined, processed, and fast food, there are occasions when you may need help to stay away from having fast food.

In these cases, you can make better decisions by choosing healthier options.

While it could require extra work, getting healthy food items from various fast food chains is feasible.

Choose foods that are an excellent source of protein, heart-healthy fats, whole grains, and vegetables to ensure you're eating an all-inclusive and healthy meal.

Enjoy your meal without guilt while your health will appreciate you for it.