Prospre: Meal Planner
Meal plans based on macros
Prospre: Meal Planner
Meal plans based on macros
Prospre: Meal Planner
Meal plans based on macros, macro tracking, and more
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October 1, 2024
Whether you're hitting the gym, need a post-workout meal, or just looking for a quick, nutritious option, finding protein filled fast food can be a challenge. However, many fast food chains have evolved to offer high protein options that keep you full without derailing your health goals. In this guide, we’ll explore the best high protein fast food items, focusing on options that are not only protein packed but also low in calories and fat.
Protein plays a vital role in the body specifically in muscle repair, satiety, and overall nutrition. For those who lead active lifestyles, it's essential to prioritize meals rich in protein. While cooking your own meals is generally the better choise, fast food doesn't always have to be completely unhealthy—several restaurants offer meals that are high protein, low fat fast food options, perfect for those looking to keep their calorie intake in check.
To simplify your nutritional planning, consider using the Prospre to create custom meal plans based on your protein goals, helping you fit in your favorite high protein takeaway options.
Grilled chicken is one of the best high protein, low calorie fast food options. This is because lean protein has been directly linked to stronger bones and muscles, while being a far healthier protein substitute compared to red meat. Many fast food places offer grilled chicken sandwiches or wraps that range from 25 to 40 grams of protein per serving. For example, Chick-fil-A’s Grilled Chicken Sandwich offers 28g of protein and only 320 calories. Another option is Wendy’s Grilled Chicken Sandwich, which packs 34g of protein and just 350 calories, while McDonald’s Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich provides 37g of protein with 380 calories. By avoiding the fried chicken sandwiches at these fast food chains, you can take advantage of the high protein content of chicken without all of the fat and calories that often come along with chicken-based menu items. These fast food low calorie, high protein options provide a much healthier balance between flavor, and nutrition, making them a top choice!
While burgers are often associated with unhealthy choices, many chains now offer high protein, low carb fast food options. You can also skip the extra cheese and sauces to keep the calories lower while maintaining a relatively high protein content. Popular options include Hero Burger’s Signature Burger which provides 30g of protein with 570 calories, making it one of the best options, and Burger King’s Whopper with No Mayo, which provides 28g of protein with 510 calories.
Although higher in calories, these burgers can be an excellent option if you're on the go and need a protein fix. If you enjoy a burger from time to time you should enjoy it, moderation is not restriction! If you make some small modifications to your favorite burger to cut down on the calories and fat, you may be able to make it more suitable for your goals.
For a lighter meal, salads are an excellent way to get in your protein while keeping calories low. By opting for grilled chicken and skipping high-fat dressings, you can get all of the valuable nutrition from your salad vegetables without consuming more calories than you would like from the peripherals. . Popular options include Chick-fil-A’s Market Salad with Grilled Chicken which contains 28g of protein and only 330 calories and McDonald’s Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad which offers 37g of protein and 350 calories. These salads are great for those looking for a high protein, low calorie option without sacrificing flavor.
Starting your day with a protein filled breakfast can help keep you full and energized. Many fast food restaurants now also offer high protein, fast food breakfast sandwiches and meals. McDonald’s offers a lower calorie version of the traditional Egg McMuffin, the Egg White Delight McMuffin, which offers 18g of protein for just 250 calories. Another option is the Starbucks’ Turkey Bacon & Egg White Sandwich, which packs 17g of protein with only 230 calories. Finally, if you're looking for a high protein breakfast option at Chick Fil A, their Egg White Grill is another excellent choice.
These items are great for those who need a quick yet filling breakfast, especially when trying to maintain a low-calorie intake.
When you're on the go and need a quick bite, finding a protein packed meal is easier than ever with many restaurants offering healthier options. In this section, we'll dive into high protein foods at Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, and Wendy’s to help you make smart choices at your favorite fast food spots.
High protein McDonald’s meal options may sound a little odd, but the fast food chain offers a surprisingly large selection of menu items that can fit into a healthy lifestyle.
These options make it easy to get a high protein meal at McDonald’s, whether you're stopping by for breakfast or lunch.
Known for its delicious chicken, Chick-fil-A provides several high-protein menu items that won’t weigh you down with excess calories or fat. High protein Chick-fil-A lunch and dinner options include:
Whether you’re dining in or taking out, Chick-fil-A is a crowd pleasing fast food restaurant with lots of protein packed options to choose from.
Wendy’s provides a great selection of high protein fast food options too.
Wendy’s offers a variety of meals with both sandwich and salad options that fit high-protein diets.
When trying to maximize protein while minimizing calories, focus on meals that offer grilled meats and avoid fried, heavy sauces, and extra cheese. Here are some top items:
Although Canada and the United States share many fast food restaurants, some are exclusive to one or the other. In addition, some chains of the same name offer different menu items in each country, or the same menu item may have different nutrition. If you are reading from Canada, we have selected a few great high protein fast options for you as well!:
These items are great for anyone looking for protein options in Canada.
Maybe these fast food options aren’t readily available to you, or you don’t want to rely on them too frequently. Maybe you are just cutting down on your spending to save some extra money. In that case, there are plenty of other convenient high protein meals you can prepare at home or grab on the go! For some more inspiration, read these other blogs:
Finding fast food that’s high in protein, and low in calories is easier than ever. Whether you’re craving the highest protein meal at Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, or Wendy’s, you’ll find plenty of choices that fit your nutritional goals. These chains provide everything from grilled chicken to protein rich fast food sandwiches, helping you get the protein you need while keeping calories in check. While it is important to note that fast food should not be an every day food, choosing these options will surely help you grab a quick bite to eat that doesn’t detract from your goals. Regardless of whether you're in the U.S. or Canada, there’s always high protein takeout options to keep you fueled throughout your busy day!
