nutrition on the run

Eating Healthy at the Drive-Thru

Eating Healthy at the Drive-Thru

People think just because I'm a dietitian that I never eat at fast food restaurants. Ah, but I do! And, I don't feel guilty either. While fast food restaurants are often lacking in the area of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, it's easy to "up" these at home.

Here are just a few lunch choices in the 300 to 400 calorie range:

  • Burger King® BK Veggie without mayo
  • McDonald's® kid's hamburger with sliced apples without dip
  • Burger King® TENDERGRILL Chicken Sandwich without sauce
  • Smoothie King® 20 oz. Angel Food or Light & Fluffy
  • Wendy’s® Caesar Chicken Salad with 1 packet Caesar dressing and croutons
  • KFC® Tender Roast® Sandwich or Honey BBQ
  • McDonald's® Fruit & Walnut snack and low-fat milk
  • McDonald's® Asian Salad with grilled chicken and low-fat sesame ginger dressing
  • Wendy's® Chili (large) with Cheddar cheese, no crackers
  • Panera® kid's Deli Ham (or Turkey or Roast Beef) without cheese and fruit cup
Need a few more calories? These options add up to 500 to 600 calories each:
  • Chick-Fil-A® Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich, Carrot & Raisin Salad and fruit cup
  • 12" Subway® Turkey Breast, Ham, Roast Beef, Club® with low-fat mayonnaise
  • KFC® Tender Roast Chicken sandwich without sauce, corn on the cob (small) and BBQ baked beans
  • Wendy’s® Plain Baked Potato topped with small chili
  • Boston Market® quarter roasted white chicken (no skin or wing), green beans, steamed vegetables and new potatoes
  • Fazoli's® small Spaghetti with tomato or meat sauce and breadstick
  • KFC® Tender Roast chicken sandwich (without sauce), small corn on the cob and BBQ baked beans
Look for breakfast and dinner ideas in another issue of Dr. Jo's Healthy Eating on the Go.

More Trans Fat Free News

Since our last newsletter, the city of Philadelphia has ruled to require restaurants to use only trans fat-free oil in their fryers and to offer only trans fat-free spreads by Sept. 1, 2007. Baked goods have an additional year to be transformed.

Three hotel chains: Marriott, Omni and Loew's have eliminated trans fats from the food they serve. Belatedly, McDonald's and Burger King have finally announced plans to remove trans fats from their restaurants by the end of 2008.




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Dr Jo is a PhD nutritionist and registered dietitian. Like you, she’s busy and is constantly on the search for healthy menu options (in restaurants) and grab ‘n go products (in the supermarket and convenience stores). She’s the author of three books: Dining Lean, Dr Jo’s No Big Deal Diet, and How to Stay Healthy & Fit on the Road. Dr Jo has appeared on 300+ TV and radio shows, presented more than 1000 programs at conferences, and has written articles or has been quoted in 200+ newspapers, magazines and websites. You can contact Dr Jo at 770-973-6242, drjo@drjo.com, or www.drjo.com.


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Past Nutrition on the Run Articles

Shake Down
The Buzz on Caffeine
This is How the Cookie Crumbles
Dr. Jo's Healthful Casual Restaurant Choices
Eating Healthy at the Drive-Thru
Everything About Trans Fat
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