The Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants AND The Not So Healthy

I know some people cringe at the thought of eating at a fast food restaurant, but for the majority of us, it’s simply a way of life.

While fast food tends to get a bad rap, the occasional fast food is fine as long as it fits your macros.

It’s actually a lot easier to track your macros and calories at fast food restaurants than at mom-and-pop restaurants that don’t post nutritional information.

The healthiest fast-food restaurants

Here’s my take on which are the healthiest fast food restaurants. This is based on calories, healthy options, and their use of hormone and antibiotic-tainted meats.

Panera Bread

• Panera Bread has a wide variety of lower-calorie choices and 15 salads to choose from.
• They use a variety of healthy ingredients.
• Calorie and macro information are easily available.
• They received an A grade from Friends of Earth for their policy against using factory-farmed animals and antibiotic/hormone-tainted meats.

Chipotle

• Chipotle’s “build your own” method allows consumers to create meals that fit their calorie and macro requirements and choose healthier options like salad bowls.
• Chipotle’s Calorie and macro amounts are available but are tricky to nail down because of the varying amounts different workers dispense.
• They received an A grade from Friends of Earth for their policy against using factory-farmed animals and antibiotic/hormone-tainted meats.

Chick-Fil-A

• While Chick-Fil-A has its share of traditional deep-fried fast food, they have many healthier options like salads and grilled chicken.
• Last year, we chose them as having the healthiest fast food grilled chicken sandwich.
• Their calorie and macro amounts are easily obtainable.
• They received a B grade from Friends of Earth for their policy against using factory-farmed animals and antibiotic/hormone-tainted meats.

Subway

• Subway has established itself as the go-to place for healthier fast food options.
• They have many lower-calorie options, and their nutritional information is readily available.
• Customers can pile on as many veggies on their subs as they want.
• They received a B grade from Friends of Earth for their policy against using factory-farmed animals and antibiotic/hormone-tainted meats but seem to be making steps to improve this.

Starbucks

• Starbucks offers many healthier options for all of its beverages, like low-fat, non-dairy, and sugar-free syrups.
• They have a fair variety of healthy food options for both breakfast and lunch.
• Calorie and macro information are easily accessible, as well as caffeine content information.
• They received a D+ grade from Friends of Earth for their policy against using factory-farmed animals and antibiotic/hormone-tainted animal products.

Wendy’s

• Wendy’s offers a nice selection of salads and grilled chicken options on its latest menu.
• Consumers can swap fries for healthier sides, like a salad, for no additional cost.
• Wendy’s nutritional information is easy to find and utilize.
• They received a C grade from Friends of Earth for their policy against using factory-farmed animals and antibiotic/hormone-tainted meats but do publish their policy online.

Dunkin Donuts

• DD has limited healthy options for both their drinks and their food.
• There are not really any vegetables or fruit found on their menu.
• They have available calorie and macro information but don’t list the caffeine content of their drinks.
• They received a D grade from Friends of Earth for their policy against using factory-farmed animals and antibiotic/hormone-tainted meats.

Not So Healthy Fast Food Restaurants

If it fits your macros, you can consider dining at the following places. However, they may not prioritize serving health-conscious options or emphasize the quality of meats they offer to customers.

Arby’s

• Very limited healthier options.
• Their nutritional information is available.
• They received an F grade from Friends of Earth for their policy against the use of factory-farmed animals and antibiotic/hormone-tainted meats but do post their policy online.

Taco Bell

• Not many healthy options at all, and their salads are some of their highest-calorie options.
• Their nutritional information is available.
• Many of their items have 1000+ mg of sodium per serving.
• They received an F grade from Friends of Earth for their policy against the use of factory-farmed animals and antibiotic/hormone-tainted meats but do post their policy online.

KFC

• Very limited healthier options are available, but they do offer grilled chicken and one healthier side option of green beans.
• Their nutritional information is available.
• They received an F grade from Friends of Earth for their policy against the use of factory-farmed animals and antibiotic/hormone-tainted meats but do post their policy online.

Dairy Queen

• A few healthier options are available but only at their full menu restaurants.
• Their nutritional information is available.
• They received an F grade from Friends of Earth for their policy against the use of factory-farmed animals and antibiotic/hormone-tainted meats but do post their policy online.

Papa John’s Pizza

• A few lower-calorie pizza options are available.
• Their nutritional information is easily accessible online.
• They received an F grade from Friends of Earth for their policy against the use of factory-farmed animals and antibiotic/hormone-tainted meats but do post their policy online.

Domino’s Pizza

• Limited healthier options.
• Their nutritional information is available.
• They received an F grade from Friends of Earth for their policy against the use of factory-farmed animals and antibiotic/hormone-tainted meats but do post their policy online.

Sonic

• Healthier options aren’t available.
• Their nutritional information is available.
• They received an F grade from Friends of Earth for their policy against the use of factory-farmed animals and antibiotic/hormone-tainted meats but do post their policy online.

Little Caesar’s Pizza

• Healthier options aren’t available.
• Their nutritional information is available.
• They received an F grade from Friends of Earth for their policy against the use of factory-farmed animals and antibiotic/hormone-tainted meats but do post their policy online.

McDonald’s

• McDonald’s revamped its menu and eliminated almost all its healthier options, like grilled chicken sandwiches and salads.
• Their portions are highly standardized for accurate calorie and macro information.
• They received a C+ grade from Friends of Earth for their policy against using factory-farmed animals and antibiotic/hormone-tainted meats.

Burger King

• BK got rid of all their grilled chicken options and salads.
• Nutritional information is easily accessible.
• They received a D grade from Friends of Earth for their policy against the use of factory-farmed animals and antibiotic/hormone-tainted meats but do post their policy online.

Many other restaurants could be included on this list, but this gives you some places to start when trying to align better with your macros and health goals.

Friends of Earth put their list together based on surveys sent to the various fast food companies and by looking at each restaurant’s website. You can download their complete report here.

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