Fast food should not be your first choice if you're trying to eat healthy. Despite your best intentions, however, there could be a day when you find that it's your only option. Fast food is cheap and convenient and if you're on the run, it's probably the fastest and easiest way to eat. To make sure you're choosing healthy food, however, you need to do your homework in advance. Don't just walk into a fast-food restaurant and ask for a healthy recommendation. Instead, take the time to make your choices beforehand so you know what to eat and what to avoid.
Wraps and Sandwiches
Wraps and sandwiches are your best bet when looking for healthy lunch options. Look for grilled chicken or fish; skip the fried option. Turkey and chicken wraps are another good option. Ask the server to hold the mayo and cheese and to add more tomato and veggies instead. Some fast-food restaurants offer both white and whole wheat bread. Whenever available, choose whole wheat.
Side Orders
Fresh salads are another good choice, but only if they allow you to get the dressing on the side. Most of the fats and calories in a salad are in the add-ons. Mashed potatoes are a good choice and much lower in calories than fries. Beans, shrimp salad and chicken tacos are good choices as well, as long as you limit sour cream and cheese with your order.
Other Lunch Options
Look beyond the obvious choices when searching for a healthy lunch. An egg on a muffin is usually more of a breakfast option, but some fast-food restaurant offer the option all-day long. Order this instead of a burger, which contains more calories and more saturated fat. Step into a Chinese restaurant instead of a burger place and ask for miso soup or steamed brown rice. Order pasta instead of pizza. Ask for extra veggies and tomato sauce on your pasta instead of cheese.
Choosing a Restaurant
Not all fast food restaurants are the same when it comes to food offerings. Some offer little more than burgers and fried chicken, while others have a larger variety of foods. The more options, the higher the chances you'll find something healthy to lunch on. Some fast-food restaurants offer a make-your-own buffet where you can choose the ingredients you want in your taco or burrito. This allows you to skip over the high-fat, high-calorie choices and go with healthier options, such as green tomatillo salsa instead of melted cheese.
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