Dinner at the drive-thru — it’s as American as fried apple pie.
McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A and other popular fast food joints like Taco Bell and Wendy’s are a purely part of life for a nation of on-the-go eaters — no matter how fervently some like to pretend otherwise.
And some experts say it’s totally fine to give into the inevitable — just as long as you make smart choices when you find yourself rolling to a stop at the order board.
Skim past the 1,000-calorie burgers and oil-logged fries and nuggets and you’ll find all sorts of good-for-you things to eat like grilled chicken and nutrition-packed fresh salads.
But do these virtuous vittles taste good? Or are they just taking up space on the menu?
Clutching a list of the top healthiest things to eat at a range of different fast food restaurants, compiled by a pair of registered dietitians, Eat This, Not That! reporter Samantha Boesch braved the drive-through lines at seven popular spots, trying everything from classic oatmeal breakfasts to trendy chicken sandwiches.
Her favorite find — the “too good to be true” Cantina Chicken Power Bowl at Taco Bell.
With only 490 calories, 25 grams of protein and 11 grams of fiber, the Chipotle dupe registered high on the righteousness scale.
Containing seasoned rice, black beans, roast chicken, pico de gallo, guacamole and an avo ranch sauce, the professional taster called it a “super satisfying” and “filling” meal.
Other favorites included Wendy’s Apple Pecan Salad, with 440 calories, 5g of fiber and 31g of protein. Boesch loved the romaine lettuce and spring mix greens combined with crunchy apple bites — as well as the vitamins and minerals found in all of the above.
McDonald’s Fruit and Maple Oatmeal — a healthy breakfast option that’s too often overlooked — had a “surprising creaminess” and great brown sugar, cubed apple and dried fruit toppings. A “nice treat,” the taster concluded.
Chipotle’s low-carb Lifestyle Wholesome Bowl also made the grade, as did Chick-fil-A’s Grilled Chicken Sandwich, even though the writer admitted that the grilled options at the popular chain will never be quite as fun as the fried.
One item — Dunkin’s Egg and Cheese on an English Muffin — got vetoed for its almost “nonexistent” flavor. Despite containing 19 grams of protein, Boesch pointed out that if she wanted something like this for breakfast, she’d probably head to Starbucks for one of their egg sandwiches.
Of course, there’s always McDonald’s — earlier, a dietitian pulling double duty as a busy mom shared with Eat This, Not That! that she recommends a classic Egg McMuffin as a top fast food breakfast pick for those trying to stay healthy.
The classic, 310 calorie daystarter is a “solid” choice that packs 17 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber, but only 33% of your daily sodium, Kelsey Kunik told the outlet.