Life in the City: Fast Food Salad?

Weird post I know, but not so weird if you have been driving a lot lately trying to find some healthy fast food options. I have been doing Weight Watchers since June and have really liked it. I really enjoy cooking healthy food and finding healthy options everywhere I go. So today I thought I would share some of my fast food knowledge. I gained a lot of fast food information this year when I was really living on a budget and when fast food was often what was most accessible and affordable. So here is my review of four different fast food salads.

Rated from my least favorite to favorite.

#4 Sonic's Sante Fe Grilled Chicken Salad

I purchased this salad in Wichita Falls, TX when driving from Dallas to Amarillo. I ordered it and was pretty disappointed with it. The chicken itself was fine, but it had melted the cheese into the salad before I even got it. The cheese was gross, because it is the same kind they use on their coney dogs. Gross. The lettuce was also questionable. Overall not my favorite. It might be the location though.

Nutrition--Calories 310--Fat (g) 12--Fiber--6 WW points--6

Dressing--The only one at Sonic with any hope to spare you fat and calories is the fat free Italian.calories 40--Fat 0--Fiber 0 WW points--1

#3 Arby's Farmhouse Grilled Chicken Salad

Catlin and I went to Arby's this weekend after attending church in Brenham. I used to get the turkey sandwich here thinking it was a healthy option. After some research I discovered it is actually one of the most unhealthy things on the menu. So this time i opted for a grilled chicken salad. It came with bacon in it but I took it out. Overall the taste of this salad was pretty good.

Nutrition Calories 229--Fat 11--Fiber 3 WW points 5

My big problem with this salad is the dressing. I asked to look at the nutritional information for the dressings and I was disappointed. None of them were fat free and the Balsamic dressing, which is usually a healthy option was not healthy at all. I ended up getting the balsamic dressing and using a tiny amount.

Balsamic Dressing Calories 130--Fat12--Fiber 0 WW points--4 (perfect example on how dressing can ruin a healthy salad)

#2 Chick-Fil-A Chargrilled Salad

I love Chick-Fil-a. They are a great place with quality ingredients. Even their food that is fried isn't terribly unhealthy. This salad is usually something I pick up at the airport. It has always been fresh and good. No complaints.

Nutrition Calories 180--Fat 6--Fiber 3 WW points--3

Dressing- My favorite is the fat-free honey mustard
Calories 60--Fat 0--Fiber 1 WW points 1
Overall the healthiest salad on the list.

#1 McDonalds Southwestern Grilled chicken salad

I came across this salad by accident. This year I walked by a McDonalds everyday on my way to work. I never stopped thinking that all they had a fried nastiness. One day however, my roommate Lu and I found a coupon for buy one premium salad get one free. We were feeling healthy that day so we tried it. I have always been skeptical of fast food chicken, thinking that it is more likely than not not real chicken, but I gave this a chance. The salad is very good. The chicken is warm and it has a great black bean and corn relish. It is so good that is really doesn't need too much dressing. I would eat this salad any day for lunch. It is not quiet as healthy as the chick-fil-a salad, but the taste i think is much better.