Salads at fast food joints

[L223]

I am trying to start eating better. Which fast food place makes the best salad? I would prefer to go to Panera (GREAT greek salad, plus a good hook up) but the squad gets tired of going to the same places all the time. SO, which place has the best salad, and of those places what type is the best tasting/healthiest to eat? Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am trying to loose the weight I put back on in the three years since the academy.

[barkalot]

I am trying to start eating better. Which fast food place makes the best salad? I would prefer to go to Panera (GREAT greek salad, plus a good hook up) but the squad gets tired of going to the same places all the time. SO, which place has the best salad, and of those places what type is the best tasting/healthiest to eat? Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am trying to loose the weight I put back on in the three years since the academy.

I've had and enjoyed two of the salads at McD's; the southwest and the bacon ranch. Both are available with a grilled chicken breast which was very flavorful. They also use several varieties of lettuce. I think they run under $4 in these parts. They are probably more low-carb than low-cal.

[The Dude]

If you have a Fresh Choice, they're really good buffet style build your own salad deal. Plus you prepare your meal, not the drug addled cousin of the drunk you hooked up last week who wants to fart on your zucchinis.

[shadow_otw]

If you have a Fresh Choice, they're really good buffet style build your own salad deal. Plus you prepare your meal, not the drug addled cousin of the drunk you hooked up last week who wants to fart on your zucchinis.

...Now THAT was funny!

[Smolla126]

Subway has some good salads, and if you want something besides a salad they have some really healthy subs. Of course if your partner wants something chuck'd full o' cholesterol, I recommend a "pizza sub" (pepperoni and mozerella cheese with marinara sauce... mmmm...)

[Sarkis]

Just go into a local supermarket store and by a bag of tossed salad, cut a hole in it, and eat with your hand right out of the bag.

That's what I do, keeps my hands clean, I don't put in unhealthy, fattening dressings, cheaper and you don't have to dedicate additional time to eating a salad.

[hxd]

Gotta watch out for Panera. If you eat an entire Greek salad, you're looking at:
440 calories
40 grams of fat / 8 grams of saturated fat
1380 grams of sodium

That's about 62% of your RDA of fat, 40% RDA saturated fat, and 58% RDA sodium. A lot of that crap is in the cheese and the dressing. Make sure you balance that against the rest of your meals throughout the day.

[Presence]

+1 what hxd said.


Wendy's has a few salads on their menu too... You have to be careful with too much cheese and dressing on ANY salad... Make sure you dip your food in the dressing instead of pouring the dressing on, you are sure to eat a lot less of it. It is amazing how many calories are in a tiny container of dressing.

You can eat relatively healthy at fast food places, you just have to know what you are looking for...

[jebtcop]

Many fast food salads put the worst sandwiches on the menu to shame when comparing carbs, calories, fat etc...Most places have their nutrition information online so it can be easily researched prior to ordering it.

[ArkansasFan24]

I am trying to start eating better. Which fast food place makes the best salad? I would prefer to go to Panera (GREAT greek salad, plus a good hook up) but the squad gets tired of going to the same places all the time. SO, which place has the best salad, and of those places what type is the best tasting/healthiest to eat? Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am trying to loose the weight I put back on in the three years since the academy.

Seeing that you're from Maryland you may not enjoy the presence of Sonic Drive-Ins up there. They make a couple of really good salads including the popcorn chicken and the grilled chicken (sante fe?). Arby's also has a pretty good salad.

Obviously, deep fried popcorn chicken isn't that healthy, but it's so tastey. :o

[rookie2812]

If you're serious about losing weight, quit looking at fast-food joints for health food. Pack your own food. For salads, pre-packaged grilled chicken strips are pretty good, they make steak strips too. I've lost a lot by just bringing my own meals. Going out everyday with your squad will bite you in butt (which will be huge) in the end. Good luck!

[L223]

Thanks for all the info. I may start packing lunch again like I did in the academy, I will save some money too. Cant go to arby's, we locked everybody up who works at the arby's in my sector.

[MRRBEST]

Well, on graveyard we don't have that great of a selection. I usually stop by one of the local 24 hour pubs/bars for breakfast once or twice a week. The other nights, I just goto a 24 hour Smiths (grocery store / supermarket). They actually have some pretty good (tasting and healthy) salads and sandwiches from anywhere around $2 - $4. Plus you don't have to worry about who's making the food, knowing that they know who they are making it for.....

[shadow_otw]

...plus you don't have to worry about who's making the food, knowing that they know who they are making it for.....

Ya know, I have read that several times in various areas, and it STILL kills me that someone would do that. I'm not saying I find in unbelieveable, but I suppose I just dont understand the morons mindset sometimes...

Almost my whole family lives in Vegas, and I remember Smiths and their deli stuff..it was good!


And good Lord do I miss Sonic Drive In's!
:)

[ArkansasFan24]

Thanks for all the info. I may start packing lunch again like I did in the academy, I will save some money too. Cant go to arby's, we locked everybody up who works at the arby's in my sector.

Sounds like an El Chico I know.

[Chiller]

I hear tossing salad is popular in prisons:D

[SJammer03]

I see chiller comes in the room and tells it like it is!!! No holds bar on that one!!! Seems like chiller is tried of the salad talk???? HAHAHAHA. Unless it's the woman type. Rigth Chiller??

[Jellybean400]

I've had and enjoyed two of the salads at McD's; the southwest and the bacon ranch. Both are available with a grilled chicken breast which was very flavorful. They also use several varieties of lettuce. I think they run under $4 in these parts. They are probably more low-carb than low-cal.

I agree. I think both of these are great.

[biggesto]

Chick-Fil-A has the best salads. Their chicken and fruit salad is great and also filling.

[rookie2006]

If you want to eat salads just have them take off the chesse and add extra lettuce or veggies. Use non fat dressing to help keep your fat down. Eating a salad with bacon and chesse and nuts can run your calories up to 1,000 alone for a salad. A salad is a good meal but only if you go easy on the extras.

[rubyrose]

All the fast food restaurants have nutritional information on their websites.

Here's a bit of a shocker for Wendy's Mandarin Chicken Salad:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll170/rubyrosewriter/Picture81.png

More info here (http://www.wendys.com/food/Nutrition.jsp)


You have to be really careful about all the stuff that goes into the salad to make it yummy, including the dressing.

BTW, that info above includes only ONE packet of the dressing. They usually give you two or three.

[nogginbuster24]

holy crap a mcdonalds salad is that bad for you. that's why I stay away from that stuff.