10 Healthiest Fast Food Joints in the US

We have often heard that junk food is bad for us, but that rarely stops us from pulling over at one such restaurant for a quick snack on our way to work or when we’re simply not in the mood to cook. With this in mind, Health Magazine set out to find the top 10 healthiest fast food restaurants in the US, to at least offer Americans the option of staying healthy if it’s impossible for them to stay away from fast food.

The chains who made the cut were judged according to a strict set of criteria ranging from portion sizes and use of organic ingredients, to whether they included plenty of vegetables or calorie-counts on their menus. They were first of all included in the cut according to the number of locations nationwide. The biggest surprise of this survey was that a traditional fast food chain, often criticized for oversizing, McDonald’s also made it at number 8.

The conclusion of the survey is that fast food restaurants can, and do, offer a variety of foods that can often be as good as anything that we might cook at home. From nutritious soups to sensible deserts and plenty of fruit, these ten chains that Health magazine “investigated” have it all. They also include menus ideal for children because they’re healthy and, at the same time, delicious.

However, that is not to say that the food at these 10 restaurant chains could easily replace our home-cooked meals. Dangers still lurk here and there and, unless someone points them out to us, we could easily do more damage than good by falling into the trap of junk food, as the magazine warns. While they do make for a good option when feeling like eating out for a change, making a habit out of junk food is still a bad habit, it is being said.

Before listing the ten chains that made the cut, when you’re next at McDonald’s, here is what you should order, according to Health Magazine. “Take the Happy Meals, which you can order with a side of apple dippers (with low-fat caramel) instead of fries and low-fat milk or fruit juice instead of soda. (Now the trick is just getting your kid to go for them!) And if you’ve gotta have fries, McDonald’s are made in a healthy canola-blend oil and come in at just 230 calories for a small. The Grilled Chicken Classic sandwich and wraps are healthy choices, too (just skip the mayo or sauce). So is the salad with Paul Newman low-fat balsamic vinaigrette.” it is being added.

Top 10 fast food restaurants in the US:

1. Panera Bread
2. Jason’s Deli
3. Au Bon Pain
4. Noodles and Company
5. Corner Bakery Cafe
6. Chipotle
7. Atlanta Bread
8. McDonald’s
9. Einstein Bros. Bagels
10. Taco Del Mar

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