Letās be real here. No matter how much you try to avoid it, fast food happens ā especially when youāre a busy working mom.
Try these easy menu hacks for healthier ordering. Yes, the sodium may still be high, but at least youāll stay under 500 calories for most of these.
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Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-Aās grilled sandwich only has 320 calories. Stick with just the sandwich for a low-calorie meal, or opt for their grilled chicken nuggets (140 calories) with a side of small fries (270 calories) for a more complete meal that will satisfy your waffle-fry cravings.
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1. Grilled Cheese
Ask for a bun with cheese and no chicken if youāre short on cash.
Total Cost: $0.49
Total Calories: 180
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2. Superfood Side Salad with 8-count Grilled Nuggets
Kale and broccolini with dried cherries tossed in a maple vinaigrette? Yes, please! Add grilled nuggets for a filling meal thatās delicious enough to be served at an upscale restaurant.
Total Cost: $7.74
Total Calories: 280
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3. Chick-fil-A Deluxe Sandwich ordered āProtein-Styleā
The lettuce at Chick-fil-A is among the best served at fast-food restaurants. Itās rarely limp, and because itās green leaf lettuce, it actually looks as good as it tastes (versus the iceberg lettuce served at other restaurants). At Chick-fil-A you can order any sandwich āProtein-Styleā so your sandwich is wrapped in light lettuce instead of carb-heavy bread.
Total Cost: $3.65
Total Calories: 330
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Subway
Stick with 6-inch subs over footlongs. Footlong sandwiches start at around 500 calories.
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4. Gutted Sandwich
Ask your Subway Sandwich Artist to remove the fluffy bread inside the roll before piling on your chosen toppings. This will save you a few empty calories.
Total Cost: Varies
Total Calories: Varies
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McDonaldās
Stick to grilled chicken instead of fried chicken sandwiches, and never use the full dressing packet if you order a salad. Use the full packet, and you might as well order a Big Mac ā there are so many calories in those dressings!
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5. Poor Manās Big Mac: a McDouble with lettuce and Big Mac sauce ā hold the ketchup and mustard
A regular Big Mac has a third slice of bread, 90 more calories, and costs about $2 more than this specialized McDouble.
Total Cost: $1.69
Total Calories: 470
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6. Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Pretty much just a grilled bun and cheese. For more protein, go ahead and order a regular cheeseburger ā itās only 100 calories more.
Total Cost: $0.99
Total Calories: 200
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7. Add an Artisan Grilled Chicken Fillet to a Side Salad
Order a side salad with an Artisan Grilled Chicken fillet, and use only half the dressing instead of a large premium salad with dressing thatās loaded with calories. However, if you must order a bigger salad, opt for the Southwest Grilled Chicken ā itās only about 350 calories with the Cilantro Lime Glaze.
Total Cost: $4.38
Total Calories: 150 without dressing
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RELATED: 14 Insider Secrets You Need to Know to Save Money at McDonaldās
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Burger King
Just say no to mayo. Oh, and stick to just the sandwich instead of ordering a full value meal.
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8. Veggie Whopper
Other than the patty, the only thing separating a Veggie Whopper from the classic BK Whopper is the bun. Order the Veggie Burger on a Whopper bun at no extra charge.
Total Cost: $3.29
Total Calories: 500
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9. Mustard Whopper
At Burger King, youāre looking at an extra 160 calories when thereās mayo involved. To order a Mustard Whopper, ask for mustard on your sandwich instead of mayo.
Total Cost: $4.19
Total Calories: 500
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Taco Bell
To cut 25% of the calories in regular menu items, go āFresco Style,ā which replaces the mayo-based sauces and cheeses with fresh pico de gallo.
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10. The Incredible Hulk: a Five Layer Burrito ordered āFresco Styleā with guacamole instead of nacho cheese sauce and sour cream
You wonāt be cutting that many calories off the original Five Layer Burrito, but youāll be replacing bad fats with better ones found in the guacamole.
Total Cost: $1.89
Total Calories: 460
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11. Grilled Bean Burrito āFresco Styleā
Taco Bell will grill any burrito upon request ā for free! So if a Bean Burrito without cheese sounds boring, try it grilled for extra texture without added calories.
Total Cost: $1.29
Total Calories: 350
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12. Crunchwrap Supreme āFresco Styleā with black beans instead of beef
Swap out the meat for beans in any Taco Bell menu item. Do that to a Crunchwrap, and youāve got yourself a filling meal for under 500 calories.
Total Cost: $3.17
Total Calories: 460
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Chipotle
Skip the cheese and sour cream. Load up on extra fillings and salsas for free instead.
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13. Chicken burrito bowl with brown rice, pinto beans, fajita veggies, and pico de gallo
If youāre vegetarian, skip the sofritas or meat, and get guacamole instead for no additional charge.
Total Cost: $6.70
Total Calories: 535
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14. Chicken taco kidās meal with blueberries and organic milk
Choose two soft corn tortillas and add pinto beans, fajita veggies, lettuce, pico de gallo, or green salsa for a filling, but not too heavy, meal. Plus, you get fresh blueberries or chips and milk for less than $5!
Total Cost: $4.75
Total Calories: 480
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15. Single taco
Not in the mood to devour an entire burrito bowl? You can choose to order single tacos instead of the standard three. Since youāre only getting one, feel free to add cheese and sour cream without guilt.
Total Cost: $2.25
Total Calories: around 338
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