Top 15 Healthiest Fast Food Chains for 2025

Last Updated on May 27, 2025 | 3 Comments
healthiest fast food chains

Fast food doesn’t always have a reputation for being healthy, so what are the healthiest fast food chains? Or should all fast food restaurants be avoided?

Fast food is often associated with high calorie, high fat and high salt content, making it an unhealthy option for a meal. Yet, you'll be pleased to learn that you can enjoy fast food in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Which begs the question: What is the healthiest fast food chain? 

Ultimately, the healthiest fast food restaurants will serve meals with limited sodium, saturated fat and added sugar. They will also prioritize lean proteins and vegetables. While it can be challenging to find a 100% healthy fast food chain, even the most well-known fast food joints have healthy options.

To help you uncover the healthiest fast food restaurants, we've rounded up 15 top choices. We also highlight some of the best orders to go for if you're looking to eat as healthily as possible.

Whether you’re trying to lose weight or just want to live a healthier lifestyle, there will be a great choice for you on this list!

 

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How We Choose the Healthiest Fast Food Chains

With over 10 years of food and hospitality experience, including expertise in healthy eating, the team at Cozymeal has a good idea of what to look for when choosing the healthiest fast food. We are also committed to providing our audience with well-researched, accurate and detailed information.

This combination of existing food and nutrition knowledge and in-depth research helps us when creating healthy eating content that is valuable and answers all questions our audience has around the topic at hand, such as where to get the healthiest fast food. 

Additionally, to ensure we provide only the healthiest fast food chain recommendations, we consult with nutritionists. We even talk with team members who have dined at the fast food chains while eating healthily to curate experience-informed recommendations.

Finally, we review customer feedback online to round out our suggestions, recommending only healthy fast food meals with positive customer feedback.

The content also meets the following criteria.

Our guide to the healthiest fast food chains: 

  • Has something for all kinds of diets, including keto, gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian, ensuring inclusivity.
  • Includes menu suggestions that don’t exceed USDA daily nutrition recommendations.
  • Suggests healthy fast food chains for various tastes and budgets.
  • Features as many healthy fast food chains as possible with outlets throughout the U.S., and even across the globe. 
  • Recommends healthy fast food meals that receive positive ratings from consumers. 
Three burgers with pretzel buns
via Canva

15 Healthiest Fast Food Chains

1. Panera Bread

Panera Bread is one of the healthiest fast food chains and a great choice if you’re looking for a healthy meal on the go. The menu is full of salads that use fresh vegetables and have a relatively low calorie count. However, you should be aware of the calories and saturated fat in the dressing. If this is of concern, avoid dressing or ask for it on the side so you can control how much is added to the salad.

If you want something a little heartier, you can top the salad with grilled chicken. If you're following a low-carb diet, you may also want to ask that toppings like salad croutons be left off. For salads, some of the healthiest items at Panera include the Green Goddess Chicken Cobb Salad and the Mediterranean Greens With Grains, which is vegetarian and can be made vegan with a few adjustments. 

Panera also has sandwiches and soups. However, many of these are high in sodium and saturated fat, so it's important to look at the nutritional information. When ordering soups, go for those without cream and that have a good amount of vegetables, such as autumn squash soup.

The best Panera sandwiches for healthy eating are those that have lean proteins and minimal saturated fat and sodium. Many sandwiches at Panera are notably high in sodium, so always check the nutritional information if this is of concern.

The least healthy sandwiches tend to be those that are grilled and have sauces. Healthy sandwich options include the Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich and the Cranberry-Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich. You can also order half a sandwich, which can help with portion control. 

Additionally, opting for wholegrain bread and getting an apple on the side instead of chips is a simple yet effective way to make your order healthier.

Panera Healthy Options Overview

  • Best Items To Order: Salads, certain soups, certain sandwiches and apple slices.
  • What To Avoid: Sandwiches that are high in sodium and saturated fats, cream-based soups, baked goods and potato chips.
  • Dietary Needs: Vegetarian and gluten-free options, plus some vegan options with menu customizations.
Panera bread is one of the healthiest fast food chains.
via Panera Bread

2. Taco Bell

Taco Bell has many connotations, but being one of the healthiest fast food chains isn’t one of the first that comes to mind for most people. However, Taco Bell can be one of the healthiest fast food chains if you know what to order, what to avoid and what menu customizations to make. There are also quite a few relatively low-calorie options.

Some of the healthiest items at Taco Bell include the chicken quesadilla, which has a good amount of protein, and bean burritos (which happen to be one of the best vegetarian fast food choices).

A great hack at this relatively healthy fast food restaurant is turning to the Taco Bell secret menu and asking for the most popular Taco Bell items to be made Fresco Style. This will see diced tomatoes and/or guacamole added to replace Taco Bell sauces, cheese and sour cream. Doing this can make a soft taco only 160 calories or a Burrito Supreme 340 calories, which helps to push Taco Bell into the realm of being one of the healthiest fast food chains.

Taco Bell Healthy Options Overview

  • Best Items To Order: Lean protein quesadillas, tacos without sour cream and sauces, Fresco Style Taco Bell orders.
  • What To Avoid: Crunchwraps, fries, items with lots of sauce, sour cream and cheese, and high-sugar drinks. 
  • Dietary Needs: Vegetarian and gluten-free options, plus some vegan options with menu customizations.
Taco Bell can be one of the healthiest fast food chains
via Taco Bell

3. Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A is one of America’s favorite chicken fast food chains. However, it can be easy to have a meal that’s high in calories, carbohydrates, sodium and saturated fat here due to the chain serving items like fried chicken, milkshakes and fries.

While it will never be one of the healthiest fast food chains, there are some healthier dishes to turn to if you have no other option than eating at Chick-fil-A. Some of the healthiest items at Chick-fil-A include the chicken sandwich and chicken noodle soup, which are high in protein yet low in calories. 

The Kale Crunch Salad and Market Salad are also top picks. If you want to boost the protein content of the salads, you can add an order of grilled chicken nuggets, which offer lean protein but none of the unhealthy ingredients associated with breaded or battered nuggets.

You can also swap the white bun for one that’s gluten-free, making this a top pick among healthy fast food chains for those on the hunt for the best gluten-free fast food. For a healthy fast food breakfast, the egg white sandwich and Greek yogurt parfait are among the most nutritious options on the Chick-fil-A breakfast menu.

No matter what meal you're heading to Chick-fil-A for, make sure you check the nutritional information, especially for sodium and saturated fat content. You'll want to be cautious about the sauces, which can easily add calories and fat to your otherwise healthy fast food order.

Chick-fil-A Healthy Options Overview

  • Best Items To Order: Salads, grilled chicken dishes, yogurt parfait and egg white sandwiches.
  • What To Avoid: Fried foods, sauces and carb-heavy options like biscuit sandwiches.
  • Dietary Needs: Gluten-free options and some vegetarian options.
Chick-Fil-A is one of America’s healthiest fast food chains.
via Chick-Fil-A

4. Chipotle

When trying to answer the question: What fast food chain is the healthiest?, Chipotle will always be a top choice. This popular brand is known as one of the healthiest fast food chains due to its fresh ingredients, including many lean proteins and vegetables, and the option to create build-your-own dishes. These custom orders let you control exactly what goes into your meal and means you can meet your specific goals, such as eating more protein or healthy fats.

So, what are the best choices at this healthy fast food chain? The healthiest items at Chipotle include salad and burrito bowls, especially those with chicken or beans as the protein, and tacos with minimal fillings.

If eating a very high protein diet, steak can be a good choice. You also have the option to add multiple types of protein to a dish. Where possible, limit sour cream, queso and cheese as well, and consider switching these for extra avocado or guacamole for additional healthy fats.

When eating rice at this healthy fast food chain, opt for brown rice, as this is more nutritious than white rice because of the higher fiber content. While Chipotle is one of the healthiest fast food chains, you'll lastly want to watch how much sodium your meal has. Be sure to check nutritional information for this and avoid high-sodium ingredients when building a custom or Chipotle secret menu meal.

Chipotle Healthy Options Overview

  • Best Items To Order: Salad bowls, burrito bowls, tacos, brown rice and build-your-own options.
  • What To Avoid: Dishes with lots of cheese or sauces, white rice and quesadillas.
  • Dietary Needs: Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options.
Chipotle is definitely one of the healthiest fast food chains because you can build your own meal.
via Chipotle

5. Panda Express

American-Chinese food may not be the healthiest due to it often involving many fried options and dishes with excess sodium and added sugar. However, Panda Express can be considered one of the healthiest fast food chains in this culinary niche, thanks to its ‘Wok Smart’ menu.

The items on this healthier fast food menu must have at least 8 grams of protein and less than 300 calories, which makes it a good option if you’re looking for the best low-calorie fast food to grab on the go. Some of the best entrées at Panda Express to order for healthy eating include string bean chicken, beef and broccoli and kung pao chicken. 

Vegetarian and plant-based diners can also turn to the high-protein Beyond Orange Chicken when it's on the menu, however, it's important to note that the sauce is quite high in sugar. Choosing steamed brown rice over white or fried rice is also recommended, as is adding a serving of greens to your meal to boost fiber.

While tasty, you'll want to avoid fried foods like spring rolls and rangoons at this healthy fast food chain. Carb-heavy chow main is also not one of the most balanced options at this Chinese restaurant chain. Finally, be sure to check the sodium, saturated fat and sugar contents in any dish you're tempted to confirm that it is one of the healthiest items at Panda Express.

Panda Express Healthy Options Overview

  • Best Items To Order: Chicken and vegetable dishes, vegetarian dishes, beef and broccoli, brown rice and a side of greens.
  • What To Avoid: Fried appetizers, white or fried rice, chow mein, dishes with sauces that have a lot of sugar and/or salt.
  • Dietary Needs: Vegetarian and gluten-free options. Some vegan options with customizations (although there may be cross-contamination).
Panda Express is one of the healthiest fast food chains because it has the ‘Wok Smart’ menu.
via Panda Express

6. Sweetgreen

Sweetgreen is not one of the most widely recognized chains, but it is one of the healthiest fast food chains, so it's well worth checking out if you're searching for tasty and healthy fast food on the go. Conveniently, the brand has locations in 21 states and offers rice and quinoa bowls as well as salads that include superfoods like kale, arugula and spinach.

You can top your salad base with healthy nuts, seeds, vegetables and various proteins, including beans, grilled chicken or salmon, creating a customized healthy fast food dish that meets your personal dietary needs. There is also a variety of dressings and sauces to drizzle over your salad, but do check the nutritional info for these as some can be high in sugar, salt and saturated fat. 

Another thing to keep in mind at this healthy fast food chain is the number of toppings you add, as the calories for these (and potentially the sodium and saturated fat) can add up quickly. However, overall, Sweetgreen is undoubtedly one of the healthiest fast food chains around, with an option for almost every diet.

Sweetgreen Healthy Options Overview

  • Best Items To Order: Almost all bowls and protein plates.
  • What To Avoid: Dressings high in saturated fat, sodium or sugar, and Parmesan shavings or crisps.
  • Dietary Needs: Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Sweetgreen is not one of the most widely recognized chains but it is one of the healthiest fast food chains.
via Sweetgreen

7. Subway

When questioning which fast food chain is the healthiest, some may be surprised to see Subway as a top choice.

The focus on high-carb, often white bread, and an array of high-calorie and processed sandwich fillings, plus high-fat sauces, can scare some healthy eaters away. Yet, it's actually one of the healthiest fast food chains, thanks to the many healthy fillings available and the ability to completely customize your order.

It's also considered one of the better options due to its Fresh Fit menu. The healthiest items at Subway on this menu are all under 400 calories and are served on whole-grain bread. They are also low in saturated fat.

Additionally, Subway has approval from the American Heart Association for heart-healthy meals, such as the Veggie Delite and the Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki sandwich. These sandwiches are made on nine-grain wheat bread and contain lettuce, tomatoes, onions, green peppers and cucumbers.

As mentioned, Subway is also one of the healthiest fast food chains because you can customize your order. When doing this, ensure you load up on vegetables and choose wholegrain breads. 

If you don’t want Subway sandwiches, the chain also has salads, which are solid, healthy options. You could even consider turning to the Subway secret menu to discover a healthy option, such as the Autumn Roasted Chicken Sub.

Subway Healthy Options Overview

  • Best Items To Order: Whole-grain or nine-grain wheat bread sandwiches, vegetable fillings, lean protein fillings and low-calorie and fat sauces.
  • What To Avoid: White bread sandwiches, high-fat and high-calorie sauces, baked goods and chips.
  • Dietary Needs: Vegetarian and some vegan options.
What fast food chain is the healthiest? Subway is one of the better options because it has a ‘Fresh Fit’ portion of its menu.
via Subway

8. CAVA

CAVA, a fast-casual restaurant, is one of the healthiest fast food chains because of its Mediterranean menu and build-your-own options. With a focus on ingredients central to Mediterranean (one of the healthiest diets in the world), diners at CAVA will be able to enjoy bowls and pitas filled with grilled meats, falafel, eggplant, avocado, hummus and more.

Some of the best choices at this healthy fast food chain include the falafel pita that's packed with plant-based protein and the chicken and rice bowl, which offers a balance of macros. 

As with other restaurants on this list of the healthiest fast food chains, it is important to check the nutritional information of any sauces you add to the meal, checking for high amounts of saturated fat, sodium and sugar. Double-check the total calories of your meal as well, as piling toppings onto your dish can move it from healthy into the realm of being unhealthy due to being high in calories.

CAVA Healthy Options Overview

  • Best Items To Order: Almost all pitas and salad bowls, focusing on whole grain carbs, lean proteins and toppings with healthy fats like hummus or avocado.
  • What To Avoid: Unhealthy dressings, excess toppings, baked goods, pita chips and high sugar drinks like lemonade.
  • Dietary Needs: Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
A selection of salad bowls
via CAVA

9. Veggie Grill

Veggie Grill is one of the healthiest fast food chains for plant-based diners. Although we also recommend it for meat eaters looking for tasty food that's high in fiber and low in cholesterol. The menu features plant-based versions of Buffalo wings, burgers and mac and cheese as well as rotating seasonal options. 

The menu also has gluten-free and low-carb options, making it one of the healthiest fast food chains for almost all diets. The vegetable and plant-based meat wraps and salad bowls are among the healthiest options on the menu. These have lots of vegetables that increase their nutritional value while minimizing high-calorie and fat sauces. 

If you order something that comes with a side, opting for broccoli over fries is an easy way to make your meal healthier. If you can't imagine fast food without fries, the sweet potato fries offer a middle ground. 

While some of the best vegan fast food items at Veggie Grill include things like the fried chick'n sandwiches and mac and cheese, these are not very healthy, so try to avoid those when ordering at this healthy fast food chain.

Veggie Grill Healthy Options Overview

  • Best Items To Order: Salads, bowls and wraps, burgers with quinoa and bean patties, and organic smoothies (ideally those with vegetables as well as fruits).
  • What To Avoid: Burgers with fried fillings, mac and cheese, high-fat dressings and baked goods.
  • Dietary Needs: Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Veggie Grill is one of the healthiest fast food chains and is a plant-based fast-casual restaurant.
via Veggie Grill

10. Noodles & Company

Noodles & Company is an Asian and Italian fusion-style spot that lands a place on this list of the healthiest fast food chains. At this fusion Italian fast food chain, you can get pasta and Asian noodle dishes as well as a few soups and salads.

Notably, there are many high-protein options here, including a whole 'Chef-Curated With Protein' menu. Great noodle-based options at this healthy fast food chain include chipotle chicken cavatappi and lemon and garlic shrimp scampi. While this is location-specific, you may be able to replace regular noodles with zucchini noodles, reducing the carb and calorie counts in your meal.

As with many other places on this list of the healthiest fast food chains, ordering a salad is a surefire way to eat healthy. Popular options include the Mediterranean-style chicken salad and the Green Goddess Chicken Cobb Salad.

But what should you avoid at this relatively healthy fast food chain? At Noodles & Company, you need to watch out for cream-heavy sauces like Alfredo. Sides like potstickers or garlic bread should also be avoided, as should the dessert options.

Noodles & Company Healthy Options Overview

  • Best Items To Order: Salads and noodle dishes with healthier sauces (low sugar, low sodium, low fat, low calorie, etc.) and lean proteins, plus zucchini noodles if available.
  • What To Avoid: Creamy and high-fat sauces, desserts, sodas and high-calorie sides like potstickers or garlic bread.
  • Dietary Needs: Vegetarian and gluten-free options.
You can also opt for zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta for a healthier choice.
via Noodles & Company

11. Au Bon Pain

This bakery-style spot is interestingly one of the healthiest fast food chains despite being centered around baked goods. Along with sweet treats, which may not be the healthiest choice, the brand has a range of healthy and low-calorie savory dishes like sandwiches, soups and salads.

Getting soup at this healthy fast food chain is one of the best options. While a few include high-fat ingredients like cream, many are very healthy and packed full of vegetables, with top picks including garden vegetable soup and chicken noodle soup.

If you want something a little more filling, the sandwiches here are actually quite healthy as well. For example, you can get wholegrain bread sandwiches with lean fillings like turkey or chicken and ingredients like avocado that are full of healthy fats.

You can also opt for a salad loaded with vegetables for something that’s low in calories and fat, with a lean meat added to boost protein and make the dish more filling. Just be careful with dressings, as some, like Caesar and ranch, are very high in saturated fat. Instead, opt for the balsamic vinaigrette or a drizzle of olive oil.

Au Bon Pain Healthy Options Overview

  • Best Items To Order: Salads, low-fat soups and sandwiches with whole grain bread and lean proteins.
  • What To Avoid: High-fat and high-calorie salad dressings, creamy soups like chowder, bakery items and sodas or sugary coffee beverages.
  • Dietary Needs: Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Au Bon Pain has a variety of sandwiches, soups and salads to choose from.
via Au Bon Pain

12. Wendy’s

It might be surprising to see a burger chain on a list of the healthiest fast food chains. However, beyond the burgers, Wendy’s also has a relatively large selection of salads for a fast food restaurant.

Some of the healthiest items at Wendy’s include the Cobb and apple pecan salads. You can also get a Parmesan Caesar salad and a taco salad, although these are a little less healthy than the other two salads due to having dressings that are higher in fat and additions like cheese and tortilla chip strips.

You may want to order dressing on the side as well, allowing you to control the amount of fat and calories in your meal. These salads can be ordered without meat to be vegetarian, however, this will affect the total amount of protein as Wendy's doesn't have any high-protein vegetarian toppings to switch the meat with.

Outside of salads, other decent options at this somewhat healthy fast food chain include the grilled chicken wrap and chili, which is high in protein and fiber. 

If you must have a burger at this relatively healthy fast food chain, go for the Jr. Hamburger. A baked potato (ideally plain) or apple bites can be ordered as a healthy alternative to French fries if you don't want to remove a side dish altogether.

Wendy's Healthy Options Overview

  • Best Items To Order: Salads, grilled chicken wrap, chili, Jr. Hamburger, baked potato and apple bites.
  • What To Avoid: Most burgers, fries, milkshakes, sweet dishes like French toast sticks and croissant-based breakfast sandwiches.
  • Dietary Needs: Some gluten-free and vegetarian options. 
A bowl of Cobb salad on a wooden table
via Wendy's

13. Native Foods

Another of the plant-based options on this list of the healthiest fast food chains, Native Foods is also one of the most eco-friendly choices. While there aren't that many outlets of this healthy fast food chain, it's well worth heading to if you have one nearby.

Like with many of the healthiest fast food restaurants, one of the best orders here is a salad. Options like the Sesame Kale Bowl and the Buddha Bowl are nutritious and packed full of flavor.

However, most people love this restaurant for its vegan recreations of comfort foods like chicken tenders and burgers. The plant-based ingredients make these foods a bit healthier than their traditional counterparts. 

Yet, you still want to be cautious of going overboard with toppings like fried options. Avoid opting for sides like onion rings and fries as well. You can also go for a wrap, such as the breaded plant-based chicken wrap, which offers a good balance between treat food and healthy eating.

Overall, Native Foods is one of the healthiest fast food chains to satisfy your cravings, whether you're plant-based or not.

Native Foods Healthy Options Overview

  • Best Items To Order: Salads, wraps, burgers with bean patties and minimal high-fat and high-calorie toppings.
  • What To Avoid: Fried foods, lots of unhealthy burger toppings, plant-based wings, fried sides and baked goods.
  • Dietary Needs: Vegan and vegetarian options.
Native Foods is one of the healthiest fast food chains to satisfy your cravings.
via Native Foods

14. Burger King

Again, most people don’t associate hamburgers with health and most are unlikely to think of Burger King when trying to find the healthiest fast food chain. However, BK does have some options on its menu that help to make it one of the healthiest fast food chains to head to when in a pinch.

One of the healthiest items at Burger King for vegans (if ordering without sauce), vegetarians and meat eaters alike is the Impossible Whopper. This burger has more fiber and less cholesterol than a regular Whopper. However, it's similar in terms of calories and may have more sodium than the regular burger.

No matter which burger or sandwich you go for at Burger King, you can make it a bit healthier by removing mayonnaise and cheese and swapping the bun out for a lettuce wrap. This will reduce some simple carbohydrates and saturated fat, resulting in a more nutritious meal. Opting for a lettuce wrap is also a great Burger King secret menu hack for those following a keto diet.

Other good choices at this healthy fast food chain include the chicken wraps and grilled chicken sandwiches. A side salad in place of fries or onion rings is always a good idea as well.

Burger King Healthy Options Overview

  • Best Items To Order: Salads, wraps, burgers with bean patties and minimal high-fat and high-calorie toppings.
  • What To Avoid: Burgers or sandwiches with high-fat and high-calorie toppings, fried foods like fries and onion rings, baked goods and milkshakes.
  • Dietary Needs: Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
A burger with salad toppings from Burger King
via Burger King

15. Mendocino Farms

Mendocino Farms is not only one of the healthiest fast food chains but also one of the most interesting. This chain has a menu that rotates seasonally, so you can always be sure you’re getting fresh, in-season ingredients.

In terms of what you can order, Mendocino Farms offers diners sandwiches, salads and soups that all have the option to be healthy. The salads are generally the most healthy option, with great picks including the Avocado and Quinoa Superfood and Baja Green Goddess salads, which have a good amount of protein and healthy fats (mainly from avocado).

When it comes to sandwiches, be careful with your bread selection. The baguette-style bread and grilled panini bread should be replaced with seeded whole wheat bread where possible. 

Try to choose vegetable and lean-protein heavy fillings as well, avoiding sandwiches with lots of high-calorie sauces and ultra-processed meats. If you want to indulge a little without steering your diet too far off course, there's the option to order half a sandwich at this healthy fast food chain. You can pair this with a healthy side salad, such as the Kale and Apple Rainbow Salad. 

Mendocino Farms Healthy Options Overview

  • Best Items To Order: Salads, soups and sandwiches with whole grain bread.
    • What To Avoid:  Sandwiches with high-calorie sauces, white bread or ultra-processed meats, chicken tenders, potato salad and lemonade.
  • Dietary Needs: Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Mendocino Farms is one of the healthiest fast food chains as well as one of the most interesting.
via Mendocino Farms 

What Is the Healthiest Fast Food Chain?

Fast food is quick and convenient, but is not known for being the most healthy choice. Yet, that doesn't mean there are no options at fast food restaurants for those trying to eat healthily. 

If you're wondering how to start eating healthy, you may want to know which is the healthiest fast food chain to head to for a quick meal when the need arises. 

Generally, there is not one healthiest fast food chain. Instead, it depends on your dietary goals. For example, someone trying to eat a high-protein and low-carb diet will have a favorite healthy fast food chain that is likely different from a vegan diner's top spot or a low-calorie dieter's go-to healthy fast food chain.

However, the healthiest fast food chains are those that offer at least a few low-calorie, low-fat and/or low-sodium options. A healthy dish found at most fast food chains that meets these criteria is salad.

Some healthy fast food chains, such as Mendocino Farms and CAVA, have a wide array of salads that can be customized. Other brands that are better known for classic fast food dishes, such as Wendy's or Chick-fil-A, have some salads that can work in a pinch. Other great options include lean-protein dishes, such as grilled chicken sandwiches or wraps, soups and lettuce wrap burgers.  

In general, Mexican and Tex-Mex chains, like Chipotle or Taco Bell, are a good choice if you're looking for the ultimate pick for the healthiest fast food chain. This is because they offer lean proteins like chicken, plant-based proteins like beans and healthy toppings, such as lots of vegetables and healthy fat-filled guacamole. 

Plus, these types of chains offer build-your-own options, something highly valuable to those trying to eat healthy at fast food chains.

Overall, any of the 15 healthiest fast food chains listed in this guide are good to great choices. Just remember to read nutritional labels and make customizations to your order whenever possible to ensure you are making the healthiest choice that meets all your personal health goals.  

Ways To Customize Your Fast Food Order To Make It Healthier

While the way you customize your order and which ingredients you add or avoid will depend on your dietary needs and goals, these are some general tips to keep in mind when ordering healthy fast food.

  • Swap white bread or buns for whole-grain options or a lettuce wrap.
  • Opt for brown rice or quinoa over white rice where possible.
  • Avoid high-calorie, high-fat and high-sugar dressings or ask for dressing on the side to control the amount used.
  • Choose lean meats like chicken, turkey or fish. Plant-based proteins like beans or quinoa are also a good choice.
  • Avoid fried foods as mains or sides.
  • Avoid dishes with cream, such as cream-based soups or Alfredo sauce.
  • Add extra vegetables to your order wherever possible. Getting some fruit, such as apple slices, is a good idea as well.
A grilled chicken salad with avocado and tomatoes
via Canva

Eating healthily is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. A well-balanced meal fuels the body and can help you maintain your ideal weight. While fast food is a quick and convenient option, it’s not always the healthiest. However, many fast food places have healthy options on the menu.

The healthiest fast food chains have options that are lower in calories, salt and fat compared to standard menu offerings. Knowing your options will help you make better food choices while still taking advantage of the speed and convenience of fast food. 

Plus, with this guide to the healthiest fast food chains in hand, you should have no problem making a smart choice the next time you need to grab a quick yet tasty and healthy meal.

For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.

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Bethany B.

Bethany

27 Jan 2025

Are you serious? I know this was poorly researched if Taco Bell is one of the top food chains on this list. You know that Taco Bell says on their website that they are one of the top carcinogens? Meaning they serve cancer causing food. I don't know about you, but that aint healthy. Plus, just because somewhere has vegan or vegetarian options does not make them healthy.

Reply to this comment
Bethany B.

27 Jan 2025

Thank you for sharing your viewpoint. Our article aims to showcase fast food chains that have taken steps toward offering healthier alternatives, emphasizing both transparency and balance. We recognize that fast food isn't ideal for everyone, but we believe it's important to highlight establishments that accommodate a range of dietary preferences and needs. If there's particular information you'd like us to review or explain further, please feel free to let us know. We value respectful and meaningful conversations and appreciate you engaging with our content!


Rick D.

Rick

12 Dec 2024

Really? Can I ask which and how many of these pushers of POISON Do you work for. The article before this nonsense directly disprove you and your nonsense.

Reply to this comment
Rick D.

12 Dec 2024

Thank you for sharing your perspective. Our goal with this article is to highlight fast food chains that have made strides in offering healthier options, focusing on transparency and balance. While fast food may not be for everyone, we believe it’s valuable to recognize chains that provide choices catering to different dietary preferences and needs. If there’s specific information in the article you’d like us to revisit or clarify, we’d be happy to look into it. We also encourage respectful and constructive dialogue so everyone can share their views productively. Thank you for engaging with our content!


Misskiaj, I.

Misskiaj,

23 Sep 2024

Very Nice; well written and colorful. Just as I suspected panera is at the top of the list :)

Reply to this comment
Misskiaj, I.

24 Sep 2024

Thank you for your kind comment, Misskiaj. We're glad you enjoyed the piece. It certainly got us thinking about our own fast food habits!