It’s no secret that fast food restaurants offer up some of the least healthy meals around. From greasy burgers to fried sides, it can be hard to make a smart, weight loss-friendly choice when you’re on the road or in a time crunch. However, while eating fast food regularly certainly isn’t a good idea for people who are trying to shed some pounds, it doesn’t have to be a death sentence for your dream body. In fact, there are a few healthy-ish options out there that you can enjoy while losing weight.
To discover some of the best fast food meals for weight loss, we asked registered nutritionist Jay Cowin of ASYSTEM. He told us that the Double Double Cheeseburger (Protein Style) from In N’ Out, the Taco Bell Chicken Power Bowl, and the Wendy’s Southwest Avocado Chicken Salad are all good choices. Learn more about the benefits of these meals below!
1. In N' Out's Double Double Cheeseburger Protein Style
Who said fast food burgers have to be unhealthy? According to Cowin, ordering a Double Duble Cheeseburger from In N' Out can be one way to stay on track with your weight loss goals—especially if you get it "Protein Style."
"When you order your burger served protein-style, In N' Out swaps out the bun for lettuce," he tells us. This is a great swap for anyone looking to slim down, as refined carbs like the kind found in burger buns can be one major culprit of weight gain. But when you add a leafy green to the mix instead, eating healthy gets a whole lot easier.
In addition to two beef patties, this burger includes cheese, tomato, a special spread, and onions. According to Cown, it's "healthy, high in protein, and very filling."
"The only downside is that it can be a little messy to eat!" he warns. Fine by us!
2. Taco Bell Chicken Power Bowl
There's a whole lot to love at Taco Bell (despite their rising prices). As it turns out, there's also something on the menu for those who are looking for a filling, healthy option: The Chicken Power Bowl.
Cowin says that among all of those Crunchwraps and Nacho Fries, the Power Bowl is "a great food hack for Taco Bell lovers who are trying to eat more healthily." Perfect!
However, he recommends making a slight change to the contents of your bowl by ordering it with no beans and no rice. "You'll still be left with a filling lunch option consisting of chicken, shredded cheese, guacamole, lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes, and an avocado-ranch sauce," he explains.
Cowin assures us that this meal isn't only delicious, but is also "pretty balanced in terms of macros, low in calories, and it's a quick and easy meal option when you're on the go."
3. Wendy's Southwest Avocado Chicken Salad
This one's for you, Wendy's lovers! While it may be hard to pass up those tasty chicken nuggets, there are some healthier options out there. In fact, Cowin says that their Southwest Avocado Chicken Salad is one of the best fast food meals for weight loss—especially if you go with a half serving.
"A half-serving of Wendy's Southwest Avocado Chicken Salad only has 9g of carbs and 300 calories—dressing included!" he notes. This is great news, considering many salad dressings are notoriously high in fat and calories.
This salad is complete with lettuce, pepper jack cheese, diced tomatoes, avocado (one of the best superfoods for weight loss!), bacon grilled chicken breast, and Ranch dressing, offering up "the macros you need for a balanced meal."
"This is a perfect, zesty choice for people who are cutting back on carbs but also want a tasty, filling meal," Cowin tells us.
The bottom line
At the end of the day, fast food is never going to be the healthiest option. Whenever possible, cooking your own balanced, nutritious meals at home is the key to losing weight and keeping your body healthy. However, when you do find yourself pulling up to the drive-thru, ordering one of these weight loss-friendly meals will help you stay on track with your health goals. Your body will thank you for resisting those fattening fries!
