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Well, guess what: We surveyed the nation’s 100 largest fast-food
chains, as defined by the number of locations, and found many are
creating menus that look more and more like what we’d cook
ourselves (if we had the time)—from nutritious soups and healthy
salads to fresh whole grains and sensible desserts. Even better:
They’re offering good-news Mexican, Asian, and Mediterranean
fare.
Using
criteria that was created with the help of our expert panel, we
scored the chains on such factors as the use of healthy fats and
preparations, healthy sodium counts in entrees, availability of
nutritional information, and the use of organic produce to
determine the 10 highest-ranking restaurants.
One big surprise: A traditional fast-food chain, McDonald’s,
cracked our top 10. Sure, it’s the home of the Big Mac, but did you
know it also serves a mean yogurt-and-granola parfait? Here, the
standouts that are making grabbed food healthy food.
1. Panera Bread
Over 1,230 locations nationwide (and in Canada)
This bakery-cafe-based eatery wowed our judges with a comprehensive
menu of healthy choices for every meal. “Variety makes it easy for
everyone to choose healthy,” praises registered dietitian and
panelist Marisa Moore. What does that mean for you? For starters,
you can pick from two whole-grain breads for your sandwich and have
an apple with it instead of chips (though the chips are fine,
too—they can be baked!). Half-size soups, salads, and sandwiches
make it a cinch to control portion size. Also, most of the chicken
is antibiotic- and hormone-free, a rarity for large chains.
Panera also won top honors for kid fare, dishing out RD-approved
crowd-pleasers like squeezable organic yogurt, PB&J (with
all-natural peanut butter), and grilled organic cheese on white
whole-grain bread.
We love: Delicious, nutrient-packed combos like a
half–Turkey Artichoke on focaccia bread with a bowl of black bean
or garden vegetable soup.
Danger zone: Sticky buns and cheese danishes are
on display at the counter.
Health.com: The 50 fattiest foods in the
states
2. Jason’s Deli
206 locations in the West, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic,
South
How did this up-and-comer snag second place? Largely because of its
devotion to organic food: About one-fifth of all its ingredients
are organic, from blue-corn tortilla chips and whole-wheat wraps to
field greens and spinach. Plus, its creative salads—like the Nutty
Mixed-Up Salad with organic field greens, grapes, chicken breast,
feta cheese, walnuts, dried cranberries, pumpkinseeds, raisins, and
organic apples—make you actually want to order the greens.
Our judges applauded the portion-control option:
Reduced sizes of, say, a stuffed baked potato, are $1 less. Jason’s
menu also highlights ultrahealthy sandwiches and provides the
nutitional info.
We love: Being able to build any sandwich on an
organic whole-wheat wrap.
Danger zone: High-sodium counts on some
sandwiches; if sodium is a concern, stick to the ultrahealthy
choices.
3. Au Bon
Pain
280 locations nationwide
A pioneer in healthy fast food, Au Bon Pain serves up sandwiches,
soups, salads, and hot entrees made with whole grains, veggies, and
hormone-free chicken.
New this year: Portions, a 14-item menu of
nutritious small plates—from appetizers like apples, blue cheese,
and cranberries to salads like chickpea and tomato—all of which are
less than 200 calories. Another impressive
feature: Au Bon Pain provides on-site nutritional
information via computer kiosks, so before you even order you know
each option’s calories, fat, and sodium. “It’s a great way to
empower customers,” praises judge Amy Jamieson-Petonic.
We love: Yummy low-cal soups, from Jamaican Black
Bean to Fire Roasted Exotic Grains and Vegetables.
Danger zone: The sodium counts can get high if you
don’t pay attention.
Health.com: 25 diet-busting foods you should never
eat
4. Noodles
and Company
204 locations in West, Midwest, South
Noodles and Company isn’t your typical greasy Asian food-court
joint. In fact, it goes beyond Asian fare and cuts out the grease
(only healthy soybean oil is used in sauteing). Here, you choose
from three food types: Asian, Mediterranean, or American, then
within each style, pick from four noodle bowl options. Lean
proteins—hormone- and antibiotic-free chicken, beef, shrimp, and
organic tofu—can be added, too.
The result? Tasty combos like Japanese Pan Noodles with broccoli,
carrots, shiitake mushrooms, Asian sprouts, and sauteed beef. Also
key: “You don’t have to chow down on a giant bowl of noodles. You
can opt for a small portion,” says judge Frances Largeman-Roth, RD,
Health’s Senior Food and Nutrition Editor. The small
Bangkok Curry bowl has just 250 calories.
We love: The whole-grain linguine—usually hard to
find when eating out.
Danger zone: The desserts. The only options are
two kinds of cookies and a Rice Krispy Treat bar that checks in at
530 calories and 19 grams of fat!
5. Corner Bakery
Cafe
111 locations in West, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, South
What sets Corner Bakery apart? A fantastic breakfast menu, which is
rare in the quick-serve world. We love the Farmer’s Scrambler: eggs
scrambled with red and green bell peppers, red onion, mushrooms,
potatoes, and Cheddar cheese. (It’s only 260 calories when ordered
with egg whites.) There’s also Swiss oatmeal, a chilled European
breakfast cereal made with rolled oats, green apples, bananas,
currants, dried cranberries, low-fat yogurt, and skim milk.
But Corner Bakery also has healthy salads, sandwiches, and soups
made with whole grains, fresh, lean meats, and vegetables, as well
as great portion-controlled combinations that make limiting
calories a no-brainer.
We love: Healthy oven-roasted chicken that comes
on most pastas and salads.
Danger zone: You have to go to their Web site to
get nutritional info.
Read the rest:
Health.com: America's Top 10 Healthiest Fast Food
Restaurants
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