Healthy Fast Food Dinners

You can get healthy dinners from fast food restaurants. Eat lower-carbohydrate meals with plenty of protein, to reduce an excessive release of insulin and decrease the likelihood your dinner will be stored as body fat, according to a 2008 article by R. Paul Gustafson, Ph.D., published in the "Strength and Conditioning Journal." Remember the healthy meal combinations from your favorite places for your next last-minute dinner.

Wendy's Chili and Salad

Order a large, 12 oz. Wendy's chili along with a side order of the salad. The chili contains 310 calories, 23g of protein, 32g of carbohydrate and 10g of fat. Use half a packet of Italian vinaigrette salad dressing for 35 calories, 2g of carbs and 3g of fat. Crush two saltine crackers over your chili for a few extra grams of carbs and only 50 calories. This dinner has a total of 420 calories; 47 percent of the calories come from carbs, 25 percent from protein and 30 percent from fat.

KFC's Grilled Chicken and Beans

Kentucky Fried Chicken serves up selections you can put together for a healthy dinner. Order a one-piece grilled chicken breast meal with a side of mashed potatoes, gravy and two sides of green beans. Request to leave the free biscuit out of your order. This is a healthy, low-carb meal for those on a low-carb diet providing 370 calories; 27 percent of the calories are from carbs, 41 percent from protein and 29 percent from fat.

Chick-fil-A's Soup and Salad

Enjoy a grilled chicken and fruit salad, one serving of the reduced-fat berry balsamic vinaigrette and a side of soup at Chick-fil-A. Your dinner will have 440 calories; 49 percent of the calories come from carbohydrates, 26 percent from protein and 25 percent from fat.

Taco Bell Salad and a Taco

Eat a quick taco dinner without breaking the belt. Order from Taco Bell's fresco menu in which your favorites have been prepared to have 9g of fat or less. Get a fresco salad and a fresco soft taco for only 410 calories; 46 percent of the calories are from carbs, 34 percent from protein and 22 percent are from fat. Or, get two, fresco grilled-chicken tacos for 320 calories; 50 percent of the calories come from carbs; 30 percent of calories come from protein and 23 percent come from fat.