Which is healthier place for chicken, burgers, meals in the fast food world?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Salt isn't necessarily bad as long as you don't have high blood pressure. Your body just rejects the extra salt it doesn't need.

You can get OK at McD's and the like. Don't get cheese; avoid creamy sauces, and get grilled instead of fried (for chicken). If eating a salad, pick your dressing carefully and use it sparingly.

The calorie counts are posted on all McD's items, so just use that as a guide.

At Five Guys, I get a little (single) hamburger, and for condiments I avoid ketchup (high sugar) and don't get fries. My burger comes to under 500 calories and it fills me up.

Sounds boring though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not true. They are all "processed," as they are massive corporate entities that have to provide identical food to thousands of outlets around the world.

But "processed" is not a bad word in the food world. Just about everything you eat is "processed" in some way.

For healthier options, go on their web sites and look at the menus. Look for less calorie options and less saturated fat. Grilled chicken sandwiches or salads are usually the best bet.

This.

I mean, yogurt? processed. Bread? Processed. Milk? Unless you're drinking it directly from the cow, it's processed. Like wine and beer? PROCESSED.

I hate it when people complain about "processed" food. Nearly everything you buy in the store is processed. By definition.

To answer your question, OP, at least places like BK and McDonald's have relatively smaller portions. But, no, burgers, chicken, even their salads are not healthy (most of the salads have more fat and calories after you put on dressing, for example).

Subway isn't bad. You can make good choices at Chipotle, but your average burrito there has more fat and calories than a Big Mac. Places like Panera and Cosi are OK -- IF you get the right foods. Which means smaller portions, skip the fries, and avoid fried things.

But don't fret about "processed."

You seemed to have forgotten about the whole fruits and veggies section. People that "complain" about processed foods are generally espousing that people eat a higher proportion of fruits and veggies, as opposed to things that come in a box.

Most of the fruits and veggies you buy in the store these days are incredibly processed. You think fruits and veggies look that way in the wild? All that stuff is so genetically modified it's ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not true. They are all "processed," as they are massive corporate entities that have to provide identical food to thousands of outlets around the world.

But "processed" is not a bad word in the food world. Just about everything you eat is "processed" in some way.

For healthier options, go on their web sites and look at the menus. Look for less calorie options and less saturated fat. Grilled chicken sandwiches or salads are usually the best bet.

This.

I mean, yogurt? processed. Bread? Processed. Milk? Unless you're drinking it directly from the cow, it's processed. Like wine and beer? PROCESSED.

I hate it when people complain about "processed" food. Nearly everything you buy in the store is processed. By definition.

To answer your question, OP, at least places like BK and McDonald's have relatively smaller portions. But, no, burgers, chicken, even their salads are not healthy (most of the salads have more fat and calories after you put on dressing, for example).

Subway isn't bad. You can make good choices at Chipotle, but your average burrito there has more fat and calories than a Big Mac. Places like Panera and Cosi are OK -- IF you get the right foods. Which means smaller portions, skip the fries, and avoid fried things.

But don't fret about "processed."

You seemed to have forgotten about the whole fruits and veggies section. People that "complain" about processed foods are generally espousing that people eat a higher proportion of fruits and veggies, as opposed to things that come in a box.

Most of the fruits and veggies you buy in the store these days are incredibly processed. You think fruits and veggies look that way in the wild? All that stuff is so genetically modified it's ridiculous.

+1. Seedless grapes and watermelon, tomatoes and apples that are perfectly red, white asparagus....

[Anonymous]

The salads at Chic fil A, Wendy's and McDonald's all seem decent if you don't pour on the dressing or the crispy noodles that they package on the side.
Also- most of these establishments have added oatmeal to their menu's, which is fine without adding sugary toppings.

[Anonymous]

Depends on how you define 'healthy'. Pretty much all fast food will be ridiculously high in sodium. Someone pointed out that sodium is not an issue unless you have high blood pressure. That's fine when you're young - but many people develop high blood pressure as they get older. By then you're hooked on salt. I used to have very low blood pressure - now it's really high. I need to limit sodium but it's really very hard. Your best bet is grilled chicken salad with just a little bit of dressing. If you're just looking at calories, the Whopper Jr. and grilled McChicken are reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Chic Fil A seems to have more low calorie options than burger chains, and they have nice salads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chipotle.

Generally, no. You have to work hard to get a healthy meal there.

Your definition of "work" is different than mine, I guess. It's tremendously easy to get a nutrient-packed, lowish calorie meal at Chipotle --- if you skip the meat and dairy.

I usually get a salad bowl with 2 kinds of beans (a LOT of them), pico de gallo, multiple salsas, a spoonful of that corn thingy, either no rice or a small spoonful of it, and some guacamole.

This is not heart surgery.

Yeah, unless you're allergic to legumes, Chipotle is great. You don't have to get a burrito--you can get a few tacos, for example. You can pile on the veggies and beans, and skip the sour cream.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not true. They are all "processed," as they are massive corporate entities that have to provide identical food to thousands of outlets around the world.

But "processed" is not a bad word in the food world. Just about everything you eat is "processed" in some way.

For healthier options, go on their web sites and look at the menus. Look for less calorie options and less saturated fat. Grilled chicken sandwiches or salads are usually the best bet.

This.

I mean, yogurt? processed. Bread? Processed. Milk? Unless you're drinking it directly from the cow, it's processed. Like wine and beer? PROCESSED.

I hate it when people complain about "processed" food. Nearly everything you buy in the store is processed. By definition.

To answer your question, OP, at least places like BK and McDonald's have relatively smaller portions. But, no, burgers, chicken, even their salads are not healthy (most of the salads have more fat and calories after you put on dressing, for example).

Subway isn't bad. You can make good choices at Chipotle, but your average burrito there has more fat and calories than a Big Mac. Places like Panera and Cosi are OK -- IF you get the right foods. Which means smaller portions, skip the fries, and avoid fried things.

But don't fret about "processed."

You seemed to have forgotten about the whole fruits and veggies section. People that "complain" about processed foods are generally espousing that people eat a higher proportion of fruits and veggies, as opposed to things that come in a box.

Most of the fruits and veggies you buy in the store these days are incredibly processed. You think fruits and veggies look that way in the wild? All that stuff is so genetically modified it's ridiculous.

+1. Seedless grapes and watermelon, tomatoes and apples that are perfectly red, white asparagus....

I don't think you understand the difference between processed and genetically modified.

[Anonymous]

Chic fil A

[Anonymous]

Elevation Burger has grass-fed beef and french fries made in olive oil.

[Anonymous]

My favorite is Chipotle. Simply because I have the option to pick whole ingredients I like & skip the rest. I never get sour cream or cheese but get the guacamole instead. It tastes delicious & no bad after effects that you get from eating a much smaller meal at a fast food chain like McD or chik fil a