Summer is full of sports camps, play dates, and tons of other activities. When you’re rushing from event to event and your kids are craving a snack, fast food might seem like the best option to feed everyone.
But what if you’re trying to get healthy? It often seems impossible to eat fast food and stay healthy.
Fresh home-cooked meals may be healthier overall, but finding healthy meals on the go isn’t impossible. Here are some of the healthiest fast-food choices.
Healthy food options at fast food restaurants
- Wendy’s Chicken Nuggets Kids Meal: At 246 calories, this menu has the lowest total calories of any kid’s menu item at a typical fast food restaurant. bumpIt’s also low in saturated fat. This meal comes with chicken nuggets, apple bites and milk.
- Chick-fil-A 5-piece Chicken Nugget Kids MealAccording to The Bump, a combination of grilled nuggets, fruit cup, and milk provides 17 grams of protein.
- Subway’s Veggie Delight SandwichPacked with veggies, protein and healthy carbs, this sandwich, when paired with milk and applesauce, is about 295 calories and packed with healthy nutrients. Health News.
- Popeye’s Chicken Nuggets 4-piece SetThis kids’ meal comes with applesauce and apple juice, totaling about 340 calories. bumpSaturated fat is quite high at 6.5 grams per meal overall.
- Quizno’s Triple Cheese Melt Kids Meal: Grilled cheese with milk and applesauce is a healthy and delicious option.
Maybe kids aren’t interested in these options? KFC, McDonald’s, Dairy Queen, Sonic and Burger King all offer kids’ menus that are under 500 calories. Health News.
What to look for in your child’s meals
When assessing whether a diet is healthy, consider the following factors:
- protein: Does your diet include lean meat, poultry, fish, beans, nuts and seeds? Protein helps with growth, muscle repair and overall health. Mayo ClinicAdditionally, a diet rich in protein keeps children and adults feeling fuller for longer than carbohydrates.
- Fruits and vegetables: Your diet should include fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
- Saturated fat and added sugars: A healthy diet typically doesn’t include these foods. Saturated fats and added sugars can contribute to heart disease, obesity, and other health problems. Journal of Advanced Heart DiseaseIf possible, avoid fried foods (for example, choose grilled nuggets over deep-fried ones) and sugary drinks.
- salt: It is a good idea to limit salt in your diet. Mayo ClinicMany American kids already eat too much salt in their diet, so choosing a fruit cup instead of fries as a side can help them reduce their salt intake.
- Whole grainsWhole grains are high in nutrients and lower in the fat, sugar, and salt mentioned above, so whenever possible, replace white burger buns and sandwich bread with whole grain bread.
Nutritional labels and virtual menus allow you to know what your kids are eating even when dining out.
