According to the CDC, roughly 37% of Americans consume fast food on a daily basis. And we get why – it’s tempting, and it’s right in the name: fast. Instead of having to devote an hour or so of your time after or before work to preparing a meal – a task made even more daunting if it’s for an entire family and not just an individual – you can spend just a few minutes ordering at a counter or from a car, and for a surprisingly small amount of money, you get your meal.
Fast food often tastes great as well due to the high salt content and added “special ingredients” in sauces and seasonings. A burrito or a bucket of chicken will pack a flavorful punch and fill you up pretty quickly.
But if you think about how much processed, sodium and sugar-filled foods (we’re not even talking about the fountain drinks yet, which have been linked to heart and other health problems) you’re consuming on a daily basis, there’s no denying it’s a diet that is going to run you into the ground pretty quickly.
Not all fast food is created equal though, and after combing through menus and nutrition facts, we’re going to list some popular fast food restaurants and equally delicious, quick alternatives that are also better for you.
Popular: KFC / Healthier Alternative: Zaxby’s
KFC was founded during the Great Depression, and they were at the forefront of the concept of franchising restaurants. They expanded quickly and were (and still are) well-loved by the public for their chicken strips, drums, thighs, and buckets.
KFC posts their ingredient list every month for the public online, however, pride doesn’t equal out to health. The company focuses on frying and high sodium in dishes – with the chicken itself having the highest exposure to both.
Like KFC, the chain restaurant Zaxby’s focuses on offerings of chicken wings, fingers, salads, etc. They’re located mostly in the southern US and point out that although the menu is a little pricier than most fast food places, it’s all due to the product quality. Zaxby’s also offers grilled chicken with many of their menu items, which is a much healthier option than fried.
Popular: Taco Bell / Healthier Alternative: Chipotle
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Taco Bell is a favorite among college kids due to the extremely low prices and flavor-packed food. But there are also running jokes about what exactly the food will do to your body, shortly after consumption. Although it might be fun to joke around with friends, consuming something that is so blatantly rejected by your body probably isn’t a great choice.
Taco Bell was inspired by a Mexican restaurant, but the founder decided to make a taco recipe even more simple. The company is well known for its promotional advertising, going so far as to offer free tacos if a piece of the Mir space station hit a target that they had towed out into the ocean. But for all of their advertising, Taco Bell is generally pretty unhealthy. They are trying to turn things around by committing to removing artificial trans fat, high fructose corn syrup, and palm oil from their dishes. But it might be too little too late.
An alternative to Taco Bell that is only slightly slower in food production, but still tastes great, is Chipotle. The menu is simple with meat, rice, and veggies, all of them recognizable! Unlike some of the strange mush that goes into Taco Bell burritos. If customers are willing to skip the cheese and sour cream, it’s pretty easy to stay healthy with this restaurant.
Popular: Wendy’s / Healthy Alternative: Panera Bread
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Wendy’s is known for being the healthier option when it comes to the burger trifecta: Burger King, McDonald’s, and Wendy’s. They do pretty well in comparison to other burger companies, but it still isn’t an idea meal – no matter how easy it is to go through the drive through on the way home.
But one of the big hits at Wendy’s is their salads. Aside from the basic Caesar and Garden salads, Wendy’s also has a very popular Apple Pecan Chicken salad, Taco salad, Harvest Chicken salad, and more. They’re relatively low in calories, but there’s a common misconception that putting “salad” at the end of a menu item means it’s healthy. In actuality, common options such as the Caesar salad have a lot of sodium and fat. Adding cheese to salads doesn’t help, but it does make them tastier.
Our competitor for fast food salads is Panera, and although they haven’t been around for quite as long as Wendy’s, they’ve definitely upped the ante with creative dishes and healthy options. They utilize a lot of veggies, lean meats, and grains, and this shows in their salads as well, so they don’t just lack flavor.
Some items on the menu include: Spinach, Bacon and Poppyseed salad, Greek salad, Spicy Thai salad, and the Green Goddess salad. While eating out at fast food restaurants frequently isn’t ideal, we understand that sometimes it’s tempting as far as finances and time.
Keep in mind that actual sit-down restaurants where meals take more than five minutes to throw together are always going to be healthier. And although the places we’ve listed above do have nutritious options on the menu, it’s up to you to make the right choices and pay attention to ingredients.
