If you need to grab a quick meal on the go but don't want to totally blow your healthy eating plan, it's still possible to hit the fast food drive-thru. Many fast food chains have improved their nutrition game in recent years, making good-for-you choices easier than ever. By introducing more veggie-forward and low-calorie meals like salads and bowls, these chain restaurants have started to think outside the typical cheeseburger-and-fries fare.

This is awesome for folks who are concerned about weight gain or are simply trying to make healthier choices, and provides better options for people who live in areas where fast food chains are the main affordable option—one study found that the higher percentage of Black people who live in an area, the easier their access to fast food, as compared with areas with proportionately fewer Black residents.



No matter where you are chowing down, start by loading your meal with as many healthy vegetables as possible, whether that means adding extra peppers to your pizza, asking for mushrooms on (or in place of!) your burger, or scooping some salsa onto your burrito bowl. Some chains even have ordering hacks that can help you further lighten up your meal. For example, ask for your Taco Bell order "fresco" to nix the calorie-laden dressings, cheese, and sour cream. Strategizing the best items to order before you get to the register or ordering window can help you make smarter choices. Next time they only nearby option is fast food, or you simply get a craving for your guilty pleasure of choice, we'll help you order with confidence. These low-cal breakfast, lunch, and dinner options all get the stamp of approval from a registered dietitian.