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    Find the Healthy Option at Fast Food Restaurants

    Find the Healthy Option at Fast Food Restaurants

    healthy_breakfast_options

    Take a look at the three breakfast meals in the photo above. Which one would you be more likely to order? Now guess which one is most healthy. Here's a rundown of the three meals shown:

    A - Fruit & yogurt parfait + Egg White Delight = 400 kcal, 14% of your daily fat recommended for the day

    B - Sausage Burrito + hash brown, lowfat milk = 550 kcal, 43% of your daily fat recommended for the day

    C - Big Breakfast with Hotcakes, Large Biscuit = 1150 kcal, 93% of your daily fat recommended for the day

    Ninety-three percent of your daily fat recommendation in a single breakfast! Wow!! This is just a small example of finding the more healthy options when eating out. But here are a few other tips you might find helpful:

    • Always look ahead at the menu – look at calories, total fat/saturated fat, and sodium especially
    • Aim for plate method when you order – ½ of what you order should be fruits & vegetables, ¼ should be whole grain (when possible), ¼ should be lean protein options (chicken, fish, turkey, beans, etc.)
    • Look for key words indicating healthier cooking methods = grilled, broiled, steamed, roasted
    • Avoid words indicating higher fat cooking methods = fried, battered, buttered, smothered
    • Get sauces/dips/dressings on the side.  For salad dressing see if they have lower calorie options
    • Don’t be overly hungry when you order! We are much less likely to make healthier choices.  Get a little protein snack before you go to take the edge off, like a lowfat string cheese
    • Wrap up half of your entrée before you start – out of sight, out of mind