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Monday, Nov. 10, 2008

Healthy fast-food choices

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Let's face it. No matter how healthful we try to eat, everyone ends up at a fast-food restaurant at some point, wondering what to order.

Is there such a thing as a healthy fast-food option? We asked two registered dietitians to consider options at the following restaurants. Oh, and just so you know, both dietitians admit to occasionally eating fast food.

McDonald's -- The 420-calorie Premium Grilled Chicken Classic Sandwich is the best choice. Skip the mayonnaise and you reduce fat intake from 10 to 5 grams. But even with the mayo, it's not a bad choice.

Finish your meal with a Fruit 'n Yogurt Parfait, for calcium.

It has 4 grams of protein and 130 calories without granola.

KFC -- The Toasted Wrap with Original Recipe Chicken Strip without sauce has 270 calories and 11 grams of fat. Add a side order of 50-calorie green beans for fiber and Vitamin A.

Wendy's -- The Mandarin Chicken Salad with Grilled Chicken Fillet is the best choice, with 540 calories and almost 25 grams of fat.

Using just half of the dressing saves you from about 10 grams of fat and 80 calories.

Have a fresh fruit bowl with yogurt or low-fat yogurt and you'll get some calcium and potassium.

Taco Bell -- Best bets include the high-fiber, original bean burrito and a Fresco crunchy taco.

The burrito has 350 calories and 9 grams of fat. The taco has

150 calories, 3 grams of fiber and 8 grams of fat.

Always add extra tomato, lettuce, onion and salsa to your dishes.

Burger King -- Order the regular flame-broiled hamburger. Just say no to the mayo to save 80 calories.

Ask for extra lettuce and tomato. And you're allowed a small order of fries, provided you eat only half or share it with someone else.

This meal has about 500 calories and 8 grams of saturated fat vs. as much as 30 grams of saturated fat in other Burger King burgers.

Order a Double Whopper with Cheese and you're consuming 990 calories and 24 grams of saturated fat.

Subway -- The 6-inch, oven-roasted chicken breast sub on a whole-wheat roll has 310 calories.

When it comes time to add vegetables, ask for lots.

You, of course, want to skip the mayo, but add a little oil, vinegar, pepper and oregano or mustard.