General Discussion Triathlon Talk » "Healthier" Fast Food Rss Feed  
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2010-05-04 11:48 PM

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Subject: "Healthier" Fast Food
Any ideas? What are some of the things that people go for when they have to eat out but want to keep things healthy. I sometimes forget my lunch at school and have to eat out just looking for some new choices.

My two are favorites:
1) Subway -- Some sort of turkey foot long on wheat.
2) Chipoltle -- Chicken Burrito, double rice, no beans (HATE them), 2 scoops of corn salsa and one scoop of the green salsa. Tried the bowls but they just don't do it for me. Yes it's a million calories and it has tons of sodium but it does have chicken and rice. I swear they sprinkle something illegal in their burritos because they're addicting. I know this one is semi healthy... but it could be worst.


2010-05-05 12:17 AM
in reply to: #2837561

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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
Do you have a Chick-Fil-A around? Everything on their menu is supposedly under 500 calories or something like that. Their grilled chicken sandwich is 300+change and only a few grams of fat. Delicious, too!
2010-05-05 12:17 AM
in reply to: #2837561

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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
Chipotle is high on my list, but Noodles & Co is probably my go to, number one. Baja Fresh has some good options as well, but Chipotle usually takes precedence over them. California Tortilla is same same.

I also like to hit up a local pizzeria type place for post workout carbs, pasta dishes galore. Not really fast, but I can usually get carryout in around 15 minutes.

looking forward to seeing other ideas.
2010-05-05 6:07 AM
in reply to: #2837578

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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
SammyKarch - 2010-05-05 12:17 AM Do you have a Chick-Fil-A around? Everything on their menu is supposedly under 500 calories or something like that. Their grilled chicken sandwich is 300+change and only a few grams of fat. Delicious, too!



+1 on the Chick-Fil-A. Love their grilled chicken sandwich. Subway chick breast sub with veggies is also a staple. I've recently been going to Panera Bread and Crispers. They have a lot of healthy stuff on their menus. Not really "fast food", but faster.
2010-05-05 6:30 AM
in reply to: #2837561

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Champion
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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
Are you near a grocery store store?  They have stuff like apples and carrots.
2010-05-05 7:02 AM
in reply to: #2837561

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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
McDonalds... grilled chicken sandwich... mmmmm


2010-05-05 7:02 AM
in reply to: #2837561

Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food

I have never even heard of the fast food places you are talking about.  Well, OK, Subway.   

I second the grocery store, only without the snarky undertone.  I dont know if you wanted to sound that way, but that is how I read it.  The grocery store has every option you could want.  Nothing is faster than actual fresh fruits and vegies.  The deli will have fresh meats too, and some even have prepared fish.   

I think a lot of the major fast food places like McD's and BK and Wendy's (Wendy's may be regional to me) offer a salad option too. 

Sushi is always agood option too... I think it is starting to get trendy in a lot of places, so you can find it a lot more.  If you are new, or squeemish on the idea, I suggest trying a roll (fush and veg wraped in rice) A California roll has cooked crab meat, avacado and cuke...

2010-05-05 7:04 AM
in reply to: #2837751

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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
If I can do it, I will often grab grocery store sushi.  After my last race I was STARVING and the deli line at the grocery store was too long so I did that plus a bag of carrots and went happily on my way.

Mostly, though, I am subbing on this thread for the info!
2010-05-05 7:12 AM
in reply to: #2837561

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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
crazyquick23 - 2010-05-04 11:48 PM Any ideas? What are some of the things that people go for when they have to eat out but want to keep things healthy. I sometimes forget my lunch at school and have to eat out just looking for some new choices.

My two are favorites:
1) Subway -- Some sort of turkey foot long on wheat.
2) Chipoltle -- Chicken Burrito, double rice, no beans (HATE them), 2 scoops of corn salsa and one scoop of the green salsa. Tried the bowls but they just don't do it for me. Yes it's a million calories and it has tons of sodium but it does have chicken and rice. I swear they sprinkle something illegal in their burritos because they're addicting. I know this one is semi healthy... but it could be worst.


numero uno in my list too! Love it.
2010-05-05 7:15 AM
in reply to: #2837561

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Runner
Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
Define "healthier".

I like pizza. Just don't eat the whole pie.
2010-05-05 7:20 AM
in reply to: #2837561

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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
Google has a lot of good stuff to say on the subject http://www.google.com/search?q=healthiest+fast+food+restaurants&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1

The one from CBS News (third down - http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/02/earlyshow/health/main4837425.shtml) seems like a pretty good summary of the best.  Their top choice, Panera, is one of my favorites and Chipotle comes in at 6.  Most every fast food place has nutritional info available online (even before it was law to do so) and 5 minutes of research before you go somewhere takes all the guesswork out of picking a healthy option (I do this all the time) and you can probably find something good (or at least acceptable) anywhere these days.  A grilled chicken sandwich from just about anywhere is my go-to healthy choice.

edited to not spell like an idiot.

Edited by jsiegs 2010-05-05 7:23 AM


2010-05-05 7:22 AM
in reply to: #2837677

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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
Stoli - 2010-05-05 7:07 AM
SammyKarch - 2010-05-05 12:17 AM Do you have a Chick-Fil-A around? Everything on their menu is supposedly under 500 calories or something like that. Their grilled chicken sandwich is 300+change and only a few grams of fat. Delicious, too!



+1 on the Chick-Fil-A. Love their grilled chicken sandwich. Subway chick breast sub with veggies is also a staple. I've recently been going to Panera Bread and Crispers. They have a lot of healthy stuff on their menus. Not really "fast food", but faster.


What are you getting at Panera that is healthy?
2010-05-05 7:23 AM
in reply to: #2837561

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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
One note with Chipotle, have you ever seen them make their rice?  They dump the rice in a big bowl, put in cilantro and then HEAP the butter in.  It's delicious, but don't kid yourself that it's "healthier."

This is a little enlightening:

http://www.chipotlefan.com/index.php?id=nutrition_calculator

Another good option that I find is kabobs.  There's a little kabob place right around the corner from me that had chicken kabobs, basmatti rice, chick peas and naan bread for like $6.  All of it is mostly healthy, relatively speaking to fast food.
2010-05-05 7:32 AM
in reply to: #2837561

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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
Just like you, Subway or a buritto top on my list when I don't bring my lunch.  We don't have Chipolte here, but Moe's Southwest which is same concept.
Subway - 6" Turkey sub no mayo
Moe's - Naked buritto (chicken, rice, beans, lots of pico). 
2010-05-05 7:42 AM
in reply to: #2837561

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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
We have a lot of Lebanese "fastfood" places in my city.
Chicken shawarma on a pita loaded with veggies and heavy on the garlic is my FAV fast food. 
2010-05-05 7:45 AM
in reply to: #2837783


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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
strostertag - 2010-05-06 6:23 AM One note with Chipotle, have you ever seen them make their rice?  They dump the rice in a big bowl, put in cilantro and then HEAP the butter in.  It's delicious, but don't kid yourself that it's "healthier."

This is a little enlightening:

http://www.chipotlefan.com/index.php?id=nutrition_calculator

Another good option that I find is kabobs.  There's a little kabob place right around the corner from me that had chicken kabobs, basmatti rice, chick peas and naan bread for like $6.  All of it is mostly healthy, relatively speaking to fast food.


I guess "healthier" is in the eye of the beholder. I love Chipotle bc their foods are mostly organic, free range and hormone free, as well as locally grown. I'm not big into frankenfoods.

I get the chicken burrito bowl, have extra lettuce and skip the rice and cheese if I'm watching calories.

If I'm at the mall, usually the Japanese place will have sushi (sometimes even brown rice sushi).



2010-05-05 7:47 AM
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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
I think McDonalds and Wendys still offer some decent chicken salads.  Don't go overboard on their dressings, though.  McDs also has a yogurt parfait (with strawberries) that I like, though I suspect the yogurt is more sugary than what I'd normally buy.

Brian
2010-05-05 8:14 AM
in reply to: #2837561

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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
What about those made to order salads at the deli?  Greens, veggies, meat, etc- you control what you put in.  They can be big and filling too.  Or a made-to-order sandwich, probably much better mean than Subway.

All the other options- sorry but not so healthy.  Most have a ton of fat, calories, or sodium, if not all 3!
2010-05-05 8:21 AM
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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
Jimmy Johns has whole wheat bread. If you ask for a sandwich on that with no Mayo it's not terrible.

Buffalo Wild Wings has a blackend Chicken salad. You can get it to go, just take off the krutons
2010-05-05 8:43 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
Hello

Atlanta Bread-  good sandwiches

KFC  grilled chicken just pull the skin off.  Easier said than done.  Good stuff

Moe's  SW Grill-    Joey Combo burrito with wheat tortilla, chicken, 2 scoops of black beans, pi-co with a little cheese- then add the vinaigrette sauce and some of their ranch.

Kevin
2010-05-05 8:44 AM
in reply to: #2837783

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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
strostertag - 2010-05-05 7:23 AM One note with Chipotle, have you ever seen them make their rice?  They dump the rice in a big bowl, put in cilantro and then HEAP the butter in.  It's delicious, but don't kid yourself that it's "healthier."

This is a little enlightening:

http://www.chipotlefan.com/index.php?id=nutrition_calculator



I'd trust the actual restaurant's web site over a random "fan" site: http://www.chipotle.com/ChipotleNutrition.pdf

Also according to the ingredient page on their web site, they state for their rice ingredients: "We steam white rice every hour until it's light and fluffy, then toss it with freshly chopped cilantro, a dash of citrus juice, and a little salt. Vegetarian."

So I'm not sure where this massive amount of butter you speak of is coming from...? In addition, their nutriton page states their rice contains 130 calories and 3 grams of fat. Not unhealthy if you ask me.
 


2010-05-05 8:51 AM
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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food

My List

Erbert and Gerbert's
Subway
Grocery store with salad bar.  (I make a little salad and get a bread roll and some water)
Truck Stop (Beef Jerkey, V-8 and water)

That's if I want health.

2010-05-05 8:52 AM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
Most places have some pretty good choices if you know where to skimp.

McDonalds - Cheesburger, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, *Some* of the Salads, Kids meals, Nuggets (so long as you keep it under 10 or so)
Wendys - Chili, Single Burger, Baked Potato, Salad, Nuggets

Those choices pretty much apply to all the "Burger shacks," the main things you want to avoid are
1.) Multiple slices of either meat or cheese. Those load up the calories fast.
2.) Fries. Yes they taste good, they are also terrible
3.) Fried Fish/Chicken/Onion Rings/ whatever
4.) Mayo and any sauce made with mayo... just accept mustard is better
5.) Salad dressing in general

Subway / Sub shops - Double meat, 6in. Get all the good stuff for you, cut down on the bread. Load them up with Veggies.
Wheat bread at these places is (generally) A lie. It's just brown white bread.
Chinease fast food Joints (Panda Express / etc) Look for stuff that isn't fried (it's hidden.) and do that. Skip the fried rice, load up on Veggies and get an Extra Fortune Cookie.
Chik-Fil-A - Most stuff so long as you leave the Fries and the Milk Shakes alone. I think all their Sandwiches are 500cal or less.
KFC - Kentucky Grilled all the way.

That's a quicky list.

2010-05-05 9:03 AM
in reply to: #2838018

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Subject: RE: "Healthier" Fast Food
lisac957 - 2010-05-05 8:44 AM
strostertag - 2010-05-05 7:23 AM One note with Chipotle, have you ever seen them make their rice?  They dump the rice in a big bowl, put in cilantro and then HEAP the butter in.  It's delicious, but don't kid yourself that it's "healthier."

This is a little enlightening:

http://www.chipotlefan.com/index.php?id=nutrition_calculator



I'd trust the actual restaurant's web site over a random "fan" site: http://www.chipotle.com/ChipotleNutrition.pdf

Also according to the ingredient page on their web site, they state for their rice ingredients: "We steam white rice every hour until it's light and fluffy, then toss it with freshly chopped cilantro, a dash of citrus juice, and a little salt. Vegetarian."

So I'm not sure where this massive amount of butter you speak of is coming from...? In addition, their nutriton page states their rice contains 130 calories and 3 grams of fat. Not unhealthy if you ask me.
 


It's possible they've changed it, but I'm just speaking from experience at one of the local Chipotle's around me about a year ago.  I got there just as they were making the next batch of rice and I saw them dump a huge scoop of butter from a tub into the bowl.  If they still do it (or if they do it anywhere else) I can't say, I'm just telling you what I saw.  Though let's break down the ingredients: rice (everything I read says between 0 and .5 grams of fat per cup), citrus juice (no fat), cilantro (no fat), and salt.  So where do those extra grams of fat come from?  Just a thought I guess.

2010-05-05 9:07 AM
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