Chipotle Mexican Grill
Pricelisto says Chipotle is the healthiest fast-food chain in the U.S. They gave the popular Tex-Mex chain a score of 66.71 out of 100. What makes Chipotle stand out isn’t just its fresh ingredients, but the incredible level of customization it offers for health-conscious diners.
Chipotle’s most popular menu items have an average of 320 calories plus 0.67 total fat and 11.7 mg of sodium per 100 calories. The secret lies in their build-your-own approach, where you can load up on lean proteins like chicken or steak, skip the calorie-heavy rice for double vegetables, and add nutrient-packed extras like beans and guacamole. 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.
Burger King
Here’s where things get surprising. Burger King was runner-up with a score of 65.38 out of 100. The average calorie content for Burger King is 467 with an average of 0.57 g of total fat and 7.90 mg of sodium per 100 calories. This ranking might shock anyone who associates Burger King with flame-broiled burgers and crispy fries.
The key is knowing what to order and what to avoid completely. While the Whopper might be their signature, dietitians suggest looking beyond the obvious choices. The second place somehow belongs to Burger King, which is crazy because it beat some of the restaurants that are often regarded as healthier, like Panera Bread, which came in fourth. Their grilled chicken options and salads when available can provide decent nutrition, though you’ll need to be strategic about sides and sauces.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A ranks a close third with a total score of 64.99 out of 100. Its five most popular items have an average calorie content of 368.33 with an average of 0.74 g of total fat and 14.18 mg of sodium per 100 calories. Beyond their famous fried chicken, Chick-fil-A offers surprisingly healthy alternatives that don’t sacrifice taste.
However, the chicken-only fast food restaurant has several health-conscious options, including their to-die-for grilled chicken nuggets. Marinated to deliciousness and grilled for a smoky finish, the nuggets are high in protein and low in calories 130 calories and 25 grams of protein for an eight count. Their grilled chicken sandwich and market salads provide lean protein without the heavy breading, making it possible to enjoy fast food without completely derailing your health goals.
Panera Bread
Fourth is Panera Bread finished fourth with a of 64.91 out of 100. Known for its bakery-café atmosphere, Panera has built a reputation around fresher, cleaner ingredients that appeal to health-conscious consumers looking for something beyond typical fast food fare.
Panera Bread can be one of the healthiest fast food options if you make the right choices. Many salad and bowl options can offer a good amount of protein and fiber without all the calories. However, you need to be careful of condiments and salad dressings, which can quickly add lots of calories to your meal. Their Mediterranean Chicken Greens bowl and various soup options provide substantial nutrition while keeping calories in check, though you’ll want to watch those creamy dressings and high-sodium items.
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.
The game-changer at Taco Bell is their “Fresco Style” customization. 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. Their Cantina Chicken Power Bowl has earned praise from nutritionists for its balanced protein, fiber, and vegetable content.
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. Smart choices include their Black Pepper Angus Steak with Super Greens and half-portion brown rice. Black Pepper Angus Steak Entree (per serving): 210 calories; 2.5 grams saturated fat; 10 grams total fat; 19 grams protein; 13 grams total carbs; 1 grams fiber; 7 grams sugars; 560 milligrams sodium The key is avoiding the heavily sauced dishes and opting for steamed vegetables instead of fried sides.
Subway
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. The real advantage comes from loading up on vegetables and choosing lean proteins while skipping the heavy sauces and processed meats that can quickly turn a healthy sub into a calorie bomb.
Making Smart Choices at Any Chain
Even if your favorite chain didn’t make this list, remember that nearly every fast-food restaurant now offers healthier alternatives. The trick is knowing how to navigate the menu and make strategic substitutions that align with your health goals.
However, to reflect growing health awareness among consumers in recent years, fast-food chains have added salads to their menus and reduced sodium and calorie content. The Washington Post reports that Salad and Go is now America’s second-fastest-growing fast-food chain. Look for grilled instead of fried options, ask for dressings and sauces on the side, and don’t be afraid to customize your order. Sometimes the healthiest meal is just a few smart swaps away from becoming your new go-to order.
Did your regular fast-food spot surprise you with its ranking?
