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Nutrition

Home : Nutrition : Eating healthy at fast food restaurants

Eating healthy at fast food restaurants

A man holding a bag of fast food and a soda.On average, teens eat at fast-food restaurants twice each week. As a result, they are probably taking in a lot of extra calories and fat. Just one super-sized fast-food meal of a sandwich, fries, and soda can have more calories, fat, and added sugar than people need in an entire day.

The best approach is to limit the amount of fast food you eat. And when you do eat at fast-food restaurants, choose the healthier options. Check out these fast-food tips and the healthier options at popular fast-food restaurants listed below. Then take our quiz to see if you can make low-fat choices.

McDonald’s:

  • Premium Grilled Chicken Classic Sandwich: 420 calories, 2 grams of saturated fat
  • Premium Asian Salad with Grilled Chicken: 300 calories, 1 gram of saturated fat; Newman's Own Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing: 90 calories, 0 grams of saturated fat
  • Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait (5.3 ounces) without granola: 130 calories, 1 gram of saturated fat; with granola: 160 calories, 1 gram of saturated fat

SOURCE: McDonald's USA Nutrition Facts for Popular Menu Items, January 2007

Burger King:

  • BK VEGGIE Burger without mayonnaise: 340 calories, 1 gram of saturated fat
  • TENDERGRILL Chicken Sandwich without mayonnaise: 400 calories, 1.5 grams of saturated fat
  • TENDERGRILL Chicken Garden Salad: 240 calories, 3.5 grams of saturated fat; KEN'S Fat Free Ranch Dressing: 60 calories, 0 grams of saturated fat

SOURCE: Burger King U.S. Nutritional Information — Core Menu Items, April 2008

Kentucky Fried Chicken:

  • Honey BBQ Sandwich: 280 calories, 1 gram of saturated fat
  • Corn on the Cob (5.5 inches): 150 calories, 1 gram of saturated fat
  • Baked Beans: 220 calories, 0 grams of saturated fat

SOURCE: Kentucky Fried Chicken Nutrition Guide, April 28, 2008

Taco Bell

  • Bean Burrito: 330 calories, 2.5 grams of saturated fat
  • Spicy Chicken Soft Taco: 170 calories, 2 grams of saturated fat
  • Gordito Nacho Cheese — Steak: 270 calories, 2 grams of saturated fat

SOURCE: Taco Bell Menu Nutrition Guide, May 2008

Wendy’s

  • Mandarin Chicken Salad: 170 calories, 0.5 gram of saturated fat; Oriental Sesame Dressing: 170 calories, 1.5 grams of saturated fat
  • Plain Baked Potato: 270 calories, 0 grams of saturated fat
  • Small Chili: 220 calories, 2.5 grams of saturated fat

SOURCE: Wendy's Nutrition Information, April 2008

 

Content last updated September 22, 2009

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health.

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