Adda Bjarnadottir, MS says on Authority Nutrition that “fast” does not necessarily equal “unhealthy.” Most fast foods are based on cheap, unhealthy ingredients. However, many fast food places have now started offering healthy alternatives. There are even some major chains that focus exclusively on providing healthy fast food. These can be life-savers when you don’t have the time or energy to cook a healthy meal.

1. Chipotle: Chipotle Mexican Grill is a restaurant chain that specializes in foods like tacos and burritos. Their mission statement “food with integrity”, they make great effort to use only organic and local ingredients, and meats from naturally raised animals. Their healthy options are burritos, tacos and salads, with a variety of meats, veggies, rice, beans and guacamole. They are located all over the US. They also have restaurants in Canada, Germany, France and the United Kingdom.
2. Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A is a fast food restaurant that specializes in chicken sandwiches. They were actually the first fast food restaurant in the US to offer a completely trans fat free menu. They have also made great efforts to make their dishes more healthy, especially their kid’s menu, which offers fruit cup sides and milk to drink. Their healthy options are grilled chicken nuggets, chicken salads and multi-grain breakfast oatmeal. Their grilled market salad is excellent. Locations: They are located all around the US.
3. Wendy’s: Wendy’s is the third largest hamburger fast food chain in the world, following McDonald’s and Burger King. Although the menu consists mostly of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches and french fries, they also offer some healthier alternatives. Their healthy options are many delicious chicken salads, as well as grilled chicken wraps. Wendy’s is located in 30 countries worldwide, mostly in the US, Asia, the Caribbean, South America and Canada.
4. McDonald’s: McDonald’s is the world’s biggest fast food chain. Most of the offerings at McDonald’s are highly processed and unhealthy. They have been heavily criticized for their role in facilitating the worldwide epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, because of growing criticism and increased health consciousness of people around the world, they have added several healthy alternatives to the menu. Their healthier options are a variety of healthy salads, mostly made with chicken, vegetables and fruit. McDonald’s is located all over the world.
5. Ruby Tuesday: Ruby Tuesday offers a large menu, ranging from steaks and seafood to pasta and salads. The healthier options in their menu are marked with the slogan “Fit & Trim.” Those dishes contain less than 700 calories per serving. Ruby Tuesday offers options based on all sorts of dietary needs, such as people with gluten sensitivity. Their healthy options are a variety of meat, fish and salads, with side dishes such as baked potatoes and fresh vegetables. They are located in the the US, Canada, the United Kingdom and several others.
   Next time you find yourself hungry and without time or willpower to cook a healthy meal, go to a healthy “fast food” restaurant nearby and choose one of their offered healthier options so that you won’t find yourself breaking your diet.