In my quest to get healthy and lose weight, I’ve stopped hitting the drive through. The temptation creeps up about 2pm when I’m on my way home, but so far I’ve resisted because I know there’s nothing good for me there. Now, thanks to Google, I found out that there are places to go that serve healthy food fast.

Pacific Wok

We’re lucky around the St. Cloud area because we have two Pacific Wok locations. Some trainers and health nuts I’ve talked to have actually endorsed Pacific Wok as a good place to go. I’m a fan of their teriyaki chicken bowl with noodles. It only has 492 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, and a whopping 30 grams of protein. Their steamrollers, samurai salads and sushi rolls are all delicious and low cal, too.


Panera

I’ve always been a fan of Panera Bread and their hidden menu contains a gem called the Power Chicken Hummus Bowl. It’s full of veggies and lean chicken with a blob of hummus and you’re getting 33 grams of protein, with only 330 calories, 13 grams of fat and 23 grams of carbs, but a bowl full of delicious.


Subway

I love Subway. If I can’t decide where to go, or nothing sounds good, that’s where I go and thankfully, there almost everywhere you look. The St. Cloud metro has 5 locations that I can think of. The subs I love aren’t the healthiest subs on their menu, but you can find delicious and healthy meals there. The double chicken chopped salad is really yummy and it’s only 220 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, 10 grams of carbs, and 36 grams of protein. I almost never get any dressings or anything with it because it’s so yummy and flavorful. For healthy sandwiches, I’m a big fan of the turkey breast on flatbread, the veggie, or the BLT.


McDonald’s

You’re probably as shocked as I was when I saw McDonald’s pop up on a healthy fast food list, but it’s true. Their premium bacon ranch salad with grilled chicken only packs 230 calories, 9 grams of fat, 10 grams of carbs and 30 grams of protein. Another good salad is their premium southwest salad with grilled chicken has 290 calories, 8 grams of fat, 28 grams of carbs and 27 grams of protein. Now, don’t muddy up the nutrition value by drowning it in salad dressing. I only use a tablespoon, snap the top back on and shake it to distribute the dressing. You can also ask for a lime wedge to squirt on the salad in place of the dressing.


Chipotle

Chipotle is so good and depending on what you get, it can be good for you. Many of their ingredients are organic and non-GMO. Their burrito bowls and salads are probably my favorite. I usually get a chicken burrito bowl hold the rice with fajita veggies, tomato salsa, cheese and lettuce. It’s 325 calories, 15 grams of fat, 10 grams of carbs and 40 grams of protein. If I’m in a salad mood, I get chicken, fajita veggies, tomato salsa and cheese. It’s 330 calories, 15 grams of fat, 11 grams of carbs and 41 grams of protein. Sometimes I swap out the chicken for barbacoa if I’m feeling crazy.

What’s Your Favorite Healthy Fast Food Meal?

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