Fast food may not be the healthiest option, but sometimes it’s the most convenient and budget-friendly choice when you’re on the go. However, at Wendy’s, there is one menu item that nutritionists and dietitians agree is a better option than the rest.
Despite the salad options and vegetable sides, the healthiest menu item at Wendy’s is not what you might expect. Read on to learn more about the chain’s grilled chicken sandwich, as well as sides and customizations to make it even more beneficial for your health and wellness.
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Wendy's
Healthy and Delicious: Why Nutritionists Love Wendy's Grilled Chicken Sandwich
According to the Wendy's website, this sandwich is made with "herb-marinated grilled chicken breast" and topped with "mayonnaise, crisp lettuce, and tomato," while being served on a "warm toasted bun."
In an interview on the topic with Eat This, Not That, nutritionist Jennifer Neily, MS, RDN, LD, FAND, said that when looking at the Wendy's menu, she'd go for "Ultimate Chicken Grill sandwich."
She added, "At only 360 calories and a whopping 35 grams of protein, it's decently filling, and the fresh veggies on top add a bit of healthfulness. The honey mustard dressing makes it surprisingly flavorful, too."
To make the sandwich even healthier, another dietitian-approved option is to drop the bun, and/ or skip the honey mustard to save calories and fat.
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Registered dietitian Jessie Hulsey, RD, told the publication that another healthy Wendy's meal involves grilled chicken. "I'm always on the lookout for nutritious and satisfying meal options, and Wendy's Grilled Chicken Ranch Wrap hits the mark," she said.
"Packed with tender grilled chicken, crisp lettuce, and juicy tomatoes, this wrap offers a protein-packed punch without excessive calories," she continued.
Ultimately, the healthier Wendy's choices involve grilled chicken and vegetables, experts say. You can also add more vegetables to your favorite Wendy's grilled chicken meal by getting the Garden Side Salad, but you need to be careful when it comes to the dressing.
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"I'd dip my fork in the dressing to use it sparingly," Elisa Zied, MS, RDN, CDN, explained to the outlet. She noted that she would order the salad with Caesar dressing on the side. "[You'll get the] ever-important fiber and phytochemicals from [the] lettuce, tomato and cucumber."
The more you know!
