While most fast foods are based on cheap, unhealthy ingredients, many fast-food establishments now offer healthy alternatives.
Some major chains even focus exclusively on providing healthy fast food.
These can be life-savers when you don't have the time or energy to cook a healthy meal.
Here are 10 fast-food restaurants that have some healthy options on the menu.
1. Chipotle
Chipotle Mexican Grill is a restaurant chain that specializes in foods like tacos and burritos.
The company tries to use only organic, local ingredients, with meats from naturally raised animals.
Healthy options: burritos, tacos, and salads, with a variety of meats, veggies, rice, beans, and guacamole
Locations: all over the United States, as well as Canada, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom
You can take a look at their menu here.
2. Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A is a fast-food restaurant that specializes in chicken sandwiches.
They were the first fast-food chain in the United States to offer a menu completely free of trans fat.
They have taken strides to make their dishes more healthy. In particular, their kids’ menu offers fruit cup sides and milk to drink.
Healthy options: grilled chicken nuggets, chicken salads, grilled market salad, and multi-grain breakfast oatmeal
Locations: throughout the United States
You can take a look at their menu here.
3. Wendy's
Wendy's is the third-largest hamburger fast-food chain in the world, behind McDonald's and Burger King.
Although their menu consists mostly of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and French fries, they also offer some healthier alternatives.
Healthy options: chicken salads and chicken wraps
Locations: 30 countries worldwide, mostly in North and South America, Asia, and the Caribbean
You can take a look at their healthy salads here.
4. McDonald's
McDonald's is the world's biggest fast-food chain.
It is famous for its signature burgers, such as the Big Mac.
Most of the offerings at McDonald's are highly processed and unhealthy. The company has been slammed for its role in facilitating the worldwide obesity and type 2 diabetes epedemics.
However, due in part to this critique, McDonald’s has added several healthy options to its menu.
Healthy options: several healthy salads, mostly made with chicken, vegetables, and fruit
Locations: worldwide, in a total of 119 countries
5. Ruby Tuesday
Ruby Tuesday has many restaurants across the globe.
They offer a large menu, ranging from steaks and seafood to pasta and salads.
The healthier options on their menu are marked with the moniker “Fit & Trim.” Those dishes contain fewer than 700 calories per serving.
Ruby Tuesday offers options based on all sorts of dietary needs, such as gluten intolerance.
Healthy options: a variety of meat, fish, and salads, with side dishes like baked potatoes and fresh vegetables
Locations: North America and Europe
You can take a look at their menu here.
6. The Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory is known for gargantuan portion sizes and high calorie content.
However, due to increased pressure, they now offer a “SkinnyLicious” menu with smaller portion sizes and healthier ingredients.
Healthy options: steaks, fish, seafood, salads, and various appetizers
Locations: the United States, with several restaurants in the Middle East
You can take a look at their SkinnyLicious menu here.
7. KFC
Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is an international fast-food restaurant known for its signature deep-fried chicken. This franchise serves mainly unhealthy foods.
However, some of their restaurants sell grilled chicken to serve their more health-conscious customers.
Healthy options: grilled chicken pieces and sides like green beans or corn on the cob
Locations: worldwide
You can take a look at their menu here.
8. Subway
Subway is a fast-food restaurant that primarily sells build-it-yourself submarine sandwiches (subs) and salads.
That said, you can also skip the bread altogether and get a salad with chicken breast and plenty of fresh vegetables.
Healthy options: whole-grain bread, plus plenty of vegetables
Locations: 44,000 restaurants in 110 countries
You can take a look at their menu here.
9. Panera Bread
Panera Bread is a bakery, café, and restaurant that serves baked goods, soups, salads, and sandwiches.
Healthy options: a variety of healthy soups and salads
Locations: North America
10. Almost every fast-food restaurant
These days, almost every fast-food restaurant offers healthy options. If not, the meals can sometimes be modified to suit your dietary preferences.
Some people prefer whole and protein-rich food, such as steak or fish, along with a side of veggies and perhaps a baked potato. But fast-food restaurants usually have vegetarian options available as well.
Just take your time to read through the menu. You will most likely find something healthy — or that can be made healthy with simple modifications.
BOTTOM LINE:
Many of the restaurants above are renowned for their wide selection of unhealthy foods. But when you don’t feel like indulging in traditional fast food, it’s good to know that they also serve healthier alternatives.
Some fast-food restaurants also offer gluten-free options and vegetarian meals.
Although a few of these restaurants are only found in the United States, most are international.
The next time you find yourself in a rush and headed for fast food, be sure to choose a healthy option.
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