10 Healthier Drive-thru Meals

Unexpected hunger pangs happen to the best of us, and they seem to hit at the most inconvenient of times–like when you’re out running errands or miles from anywhere on a long road trip. Having healthy, travel-friendly snacks on hand can certainly diminish the dazzle of the drive-thru in these situations–but let’s be honest. Eating on the fly is sometimes unavoidable, even for the most prepared.

Thankfully, fast food restaurants are realizing not everyone wants to eat unhealthy while on the go, and today many popular chains offer healthier options for nutrition-conscious consumers. If you’ve ever made the mistake of ordering a 1,000 calorie salad though, you know some of those seemingly healthy choices aren’t actually healthy at all.

To help you navigate your way through the drive-thru, here are 10 healthier meals to consider ordering the next time hunger strikes while you’re on the road:

BREAKFAST OPTIONS

*Starbuck’s Spinach and Feta Breakfast Wrap
Calories: 290; Total Fat: 10g; Saturated Fat: 3.5g; Cholesterol: 20mg; Sodium: 830mg; Carbohydrates: 33g; Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 4g; Protein: 19g

Panera Bread’s Power Breakfast Egg Bowl with Steak
Calories: 270; Total Fat: 17g; Sodium: 440mg; Carbohydrates: 3g; Fiber: 3g, Protein: 24g

McDonalds Fruit & Yogurt Parfait
Calories: 150; Total Fat: 2g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 5mg; Sodium: 80mg; Carbohydrates: 30g; Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 23g; Protein: 4g

Taco Bell A.M. Grilled Egg & Cheese Taco
Calories: 160; Total Fat: 9g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Cholesterol: 90mg; Sodium: 330mg; Carbohydrates: 15g; Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g; Protein: 7g

LUNCH & DINNER OPTIONS

Panera Bread’s Power Chicken Hummus Bowl
Calories: 270; Total Fat: 10g; Sodium: 500mg; Carbohydrates: 18g; Fiber: 4g, Protein: 27g
Check out their whole Power Menu here.

Subway’s 6” Oven Roasted Chicken Sub (Served on 9-grain wheat bread with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, green peppers and cucumbers.)
Calories: 320; Total Fat: 5g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 45mg; Sodium: 610mg; Carbohydrates: 45g; Fiber: 5g; Sugar: 7g; Protein: 23g

*Chipotle Steak Burrito Bowl with Romaine, Fajita Vegetables, Black Beans and Green Tomatillo Salsa
Calories: 355; Total Fat: 8g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 65mg; Sodium: 1,000mg; Carbohydrates: 33g; Fiber: 15g, Sugar: 6g; Protein: 39g

*McDonalds Premium Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Calories: 350; Total Fat: 9g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 65mg; Sodium: 820mg; Carbohydrates: 42g; Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 8g; Protein: 28g
Ordering Tip: Make it an open-faced sandwich to save 100 calories and cut 165mg sodium and nearly 20g carbs.

*Quiznos’ Small Tuna Sub with Cheese (Just ask to hold the dressing)
Calories: 410; Total Fat: 14g; Saturated Fat: 7g; Cholesterol: 45mg; Sodium: 1030mg; Carbohydrates: 44g; Fiber: 2g; Sugar: 5g; Protein: 27g

Wendy’s Asian Chicken Salad (Large salad with 1 packet of dressing)
Calories: 335; Total Fat: 11g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 90mg; Sodium: 775mg; Potassium: 1100, Carbohydrates: 26g; Fiber: 5g; Sugar: 12g; Protein: 35g

*Nutrition Note: Many fast foods, even the healthier options, contain a lot of sodium. These meals provide more than 35% (805 mg) of the daily recommendation for sodium. Try to select lower-sodium foods at other meals & snacks throughout the day to balance it out.

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