Low Point Fast Food Choices

Can you lose weight and still eat fast food? Of course-- if you take the time to educate yourself about the nutritional value of a fast food chain's menu. Here are some low-point fast food choices.

Subway

Subway has a reputation for lower calorie, lower fat fast food, so you'll find lots of choices on its menu. Keep in mind that all these choices come without cheese (add 1 point for cheese on a 6-inch sub), mayonnaise (add 3 points for regular and 1 point for light mayo on a 6-inch sub), and other condiments. The following point values are for 6-inch sandwiches on whole wheat bread and come with lettuce, tomato, onion, green pepper, and olives. All of these sandwiches also come as wraps. For the wrap point value, add 3 points:

Ham: 5 points, 290 calories, 5 grams fat, 4 grams fiber
Turkey: 5 points, 280 calories, 4.5 grams fat, 4 grams fiber
Turkey & Ham: 5 points, 290 calories, 5 grams fat, 4 grams fiber
Roast Beef: 5 points, 290 calories, 5 grams fat, 4 grams fiber
Subway Club: 6 points, 320 calories, 6 grams fat, 4 grams fiber
Oven Roasted Chicken Breast: 6 points, 330 calories, 5 grams fat, 5 grams fiber
Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki: 7 points, 370 calories, 5 grams fat, 4 grams fiber
Veggie Delight: 4 points, 230 calories, 3 g fat, 4 g fiber

Other low point Subway options include:

Cheesesteak: 7 points, 360 calories, 10 grams fat, 5 grams fiber
Subway Melt: 7 points, 380 calories, 12 grams fat, 4 grams fiber
Tuscan Chicken: 7 points, 390 calories, 8 grams fat, 5 grams fiber
Subway Club Salad without dressings or croutons: 3 points,160 calories, 4 grams fat, 4 grams fiber

McDonalds

McDonalds doesn't actually have a reputation for healthy choices, but they've increased their healthier selections in recent years. One low-point key to McDonald's is simply to think small. The huge burgers are huge calories, but smaller sandwiches can give you the same fast food fix for less. Here are a few lower point choices:

Cheeseburger: 7 points, 310 calories, 12 grams fat, 1 gram fiber
Small Fries: 5 points, 250 calories, 13 grams fat, 3 grams fiber
Grilled Chicken Sandwich: 8 points, 420 calories, 9 grams fat, 3 grams fiber
Asian Salad with Grilled Chicken: 6 points, 290 calories, 10 grams fat, 6 grams fiber
Grilled Chicken Snack Wrap with Honey Mustard: 6 points, 260 calories, 9 grams fat, 1 gram fiber
Strawberry Sundae: 6 points, 280 calories, 6 grams fat, 0 grams fiber

Burger King

In recent years, Burger King's marketing strategy has been all about selling huge burgers, like Triple Whoppers and Quad Stackers, so this isn't your most point friendly choice. Here's a few items on the BK menu that are a little more point friendly:

Cheeseburger: 8 points, 330 calories, 16 grams fat, 1 gram fiber
Whopper Junior with Cheese: 10 points, 410 calories, 24 grams fat, 2 grams fiber
BK Veggie Burger: 9 points, 420 calories, 16 grams fat, 7 grams fiber
Egg & Cheese Crossan'wich: 7 points, 300 calories, 17 grams fat, 0 g fiber

Taco Bell

Taco Bell has more low point options than you might realize. You can order just about anything "fresco style" and they'll replace the cheese and sauce with healthier Fresco sauce. Here are just a few of many lower point options at Taco Bell:

Soft Taco, Fresco Style: 4 points, 190 calories, 8 grams fat, 2 grams fiber
Steak Soft Taco, Fresco Style: 3 points, 170 calories, 5 grams fat, 2 grams fiber
Chicken Burrito Supreme, Fresco Style: 7 points, 350 calories, 8 grams fat, 3 grams fiber
Double Decker Taco: 7 points, 340 calories, 14 grams fat, 5 grams fiber
Chicken Gordita Supreme: 6 points, 290 calories, 12 grams fat, 2 grams fiber
Steak Fiesta Burrito: 8 points, 370 calories, 12 grams fat, 3 grams fiber

Wendy's

Wendy's has a decent variety of options for low-point eaters, if you're willing to eat moderate sized portions. Here are some choices:

Classic Single with Everything: 9 points, 420 calories, 19 grams fat, 2 grams fiber
Ultimate Chicken Grill Sandwich: 7 points, 360 calories, 7 grams fat, 2 grams fiber
Crispy Chicken Sandwich: 8 points, 380 calories, 15 grams fat, 1 gram fiber
Large Chili: 6 points, 330 calories, 9 grams fat, 8 grams fiber
Small Chocolate Frosty: 7 points, 330 calories, 8 grams fat, 0 grams fiber

Chic-Fil-A

Chic-Fil-A is best known for their fried foods. However, they have some lower point options as well, and some of their fried foods aren't as high in points as you might think. Here are some possibilities:

Classic Chic-Fil-A Sandwich: 9 points, 410 calories, 16 grams fat, 1 grams fiber
Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich: 5 points, 270 calories, 3.5 grams fat, 3 grams fiber
Chic-Fil-A Nugget 8 pack: 6 points, 260 calories, 12 grams fat
Spicy Chicken Cool Wrap: 7 points, 380 calories, 6 grams fat, 3 grams fiber
Small Waffle Fries: 5 points, 270 calories, 13 grams fat, 4 grams fiber

Fast food places serve enormous portions, and that's one of the reasons they have such an unhealthy reputation. But smaller portions are also available, as are healthier options. Remember, all things in moderation!