You caved. You were in a hurry. You didn’t want to spend a lot of money. So here you are waiting in line at the fast-food drive-thru. It’s okay. We understand. (In fact, we’re right behind you!) But before you pull up to that big board, recognize that you’re at a disadvantage—there’s no nutritional information like there is inside. That’s why we’ve handpicked the best options for you. Here’s what to shout into that intercom.
McDonald’s
Order up: A hamburger, Apple Dippers, and an unsweetened iced tea
The burger has 250 calories and 9 grams of fat. By comparison, a Premium Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich (grilled means healthy, right?) hides 530 calories and 17 grams of fat. Swap the small fry for the apples (hold the sugary caramel sauce) and the medium Coke for an iced tea, and you’ll save an extra 405 calories.
Burger King
Order up: Tendergrill Chicken Garden Salad with Ken’s fat-free ranch dressing and a bottle of water
Don’t go fishing. There are a whopping 640 calories and 32 grams of fat in one BK Big Fish Sandwich with tartar sauce. Order this salad and you’ll not only eat 200 fewer calories but also get 33 grams of protein.
Taco Bell
Order up: Two Fresco Crunchy Tacos and a Diet Pepsi
The tacos from the Bell’s lower-calorie menu have 150 calories apiece and zero trans-fat. Even if you order two, you’ll still be eating fewer calories and less fat than any single Chalupa.
Arby’s
Order up: Ham & Swiss Melt Sandwich, applesauce, and a Diet Pepsi
At 268 calories and 5 grams of fat, this ham sammy is one of the few safe bets on the menu. All of the Market Fresh sandwiches have a minimum of 560 calories, while the traditional Beef n’ Cheddar has 445.
Wendy’s
Order up: A plain baked potato and a small chili
The entire combination contains 460 calories (80 grams of carbs, 21 grams of protein, and only 6 grams of fat). Pour the chili on the potato for some comfort food.
Dunkin’ Donuts
Order up: Chocolate Frosted or Bavarian Kreme Donut
If you have a serious donut craving, either one of these will satisfy it without doing too much damage. They each have about 230 to 250 calories and 11 grams of fat, which is better than the more nutritious-sounding Wheat Glazed Cake Donut (310 calories, 19 grams of fat) and many of the muffins.
Dairy Queen
Order up: DQ Sandwich (ice cream)
Tempted by a Blizzard or a shake? Indulge and you’ll down anywhere from 500 to 1,320 calories. Save your figure and satisfy your sweet tooth with this petite ice cream sandwich, with 190 calories and 5 grams of fat.
Decadent (yet smart!) desserts
