What Are the Healthiest Fast-Casual Dining Options?

Fast-casual stores and restaurants are a haven for parents. They provide the customer service and quick serving times of fast food with the fresh and made-to-order meals of sit-down establishments. Whether you are grabbing something before heading to work or looking for a dinner place for you and the kids, here are the healthiest fast-casual dining options.

What Constitutes “Healthy” at a Dining Spot?

Any restaurant can call itself “healthy,” but how do you know you are truly making the best choice? Consider these factors.

Nutrient content	Have a good number of proteins, carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber when eating. Hitting your daily intake can ensure good well-being in the long run.
Calorie intake	Daily calorie intake can affect your overall energy levels. Children who are 2 to 3 years old should get around 1,000 to 1,400 calories per day.
A brand with absurd portion sizes should not claim to be one of the healthiest fast-casual dining options. It must be mindful of serving sizes to ensure customers are not overeating.
Variety

1. Salata

Food type	Salads, Wraps
>Menu recommendation	The regular Salata Mix Spinach with your choice of vegetables, cheese, nuts, fruits, and protein with dressing

Salata is a fast-casual dining option that started in 2005. The infamous salad bar in downtown Houston slowly grew to serve freshly made and customizable salads all across the United States. It has even grown to provide 50 fresh toppings on its menu, so you can make a unique bowl every single time.

>Try its variety of dressings — the fat-free mango is a simple and tangy sauce, while the sun-dried tomatoes add depth and texture. If you want more of a kick, try out the jalapeno avocado dressing.

2. Chipotle

Food type	Mexican
Menu recommendation	Go Half Veggie Bowl

Chipotle — also fully known as Chipotle Mexican Grill — is a beloved go-to casual spot for many. The Go Half Veggie Bowl is a hit, mixing chicken and sofritas with the brand’s Supergreens Lettuce Blend, white rice, fajita veggies, sour cream, and two different kinds of salsa.

Parents can also pick the Kids Meal option for their children. It allows you to build a meal that consists of meat, guacamole or queso, and two other toppings with tortillas. Your little ones also get a free drink and seasonal fruits or chips.

3. Subway

Food type	Sandwiches, salads, and wraps
Menu recommendation	A 6-inch sub with your choice of veggies and dressings

Subway is another large restaurant brand that focuses on making fresh food both convenient and affordable. Bread is always baked on the day, as sandwiches are made to order, which ensures healthy, quality and flavorful bites.

The brand is very committed to being as transparent as possible, offering nutritional data that helps you calculate the serving sizes and calories of each component. It is also proactive when it comes to packaging sustainability, prioritizing its material’s recyclability and end-of-life to minimize environmental impact.

4. Panera Bread

Food type	Sandwiches, soups, and other baked goods
Menu recommendation	Whole Asiago Bagel Stacks, either in Chicken Roma, Spicy Steak, or Zesty Tuscan

Panera Bread is all about cultivating a welcoming environment with good food. It is very innovative in the way it melds ingredients while keeping the calorie count on the lower side. For instance, the limited-edition Chicken Roma Asiago Bagel Stack is only 580 calories.

You also get a good deal with Panera Bread’s You Pick Two scheme. Choose any two soups, half salads, half sandwiches, and the Asiago Bagel Stacks. Aside from keeping things healthy for the family, you can also ensure everyone is full.

5. Noodles & Company

Food type	Asian, Mediterranean, and American
Menu recommendation	Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi

Noodles & Company is the best place to head to when you want pasta with an Asian and Mediterranean twist. One of the most healthy options is the Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi, which has artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes and spinach with sauteed shrimp in garlic butter.

Craving more Latin-inspired flavors? The Chipotle Chicken Cavatappi has a smoky yet creamy chipotle sauce that coats each noodle, chicken, and veggie with flavor. You can grab a bowl of Green Goddess Cobb Salad to share with the family.

6. Sweetgreen

Food type	Warm bowls, salads, sides
Menu recommendation	Shroomami

Sweetgreen is on a mission to reimagine fast food into a place where restaurants are cooking food from scratch and feeding people healthy food. It has a plant-forward menu that serves nutritious food while lowering its environmental impact.

While Sweetgreen has many beautiful offerings, the Shroomami is a must-try. It has an assortment of roasted tofu, a warm portobello mix with different vegetables, and wild rice. Pour on a tasteful amount of the miso sesame ginger dressing and toss.

7. Taco Bell

>Food type	Mexican
Menu recommendation	Veggie Power Bowl

From Crunchwrap Supremes to burritos, Taco Bell is a staple when you are craving Mexican food. It is one of the most underrated, healthiest fast-casual dining options, as you can actually customize your order quite a bit.

For instance, say you want a Veggie Power Bowl. You can request this with extra lettuce and beans to make it healthier and more filling. Add a crunchy taco and ask for no guacamole if you want some crispier texture.

8. Panda Express

Food type	Chinese
Menu recommendation	Broccoli Beef

Panda Express entrees like Broccoli Beef and Mushroom Chicken are great healthy choices for you and your kids. Granted, you can also indulge in the occasional Honey Walnut Shrimp and Chow Mein. When given the option, consider choosing brown rice over white.

There is a 5-Person Family Meal that lets you pick three large entrees and two large sides. If you prefer individual meals, the Balanced Protein Plates are ideal for solo diners trying to hit their nutritional benchmarks. The Panda Cub Meal is also great for children.

9. Jason’s Deli

Food type	Sandwiches, salads, handcrafted bowls
Menu recommendation	Build Your Own Sandwich

Jason’s Deli is the place to be when you are craving a good sandwich. You can get elevated classics like the Bigger Better BLT and Chicken Panini. There are also unique ones like the Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich, which features grilled chicken, bacon, Swiss, and other fix-ins.

The Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich is a good 710 calories. If you want control over your intake, take advantage of the Build Your Own Sandwich feature. You can see how many calories each bread, meat, cheese, and spread is, alongside add-ons like guacamole and hummus.

10. Corner Bakery Cafe

Food type	Oatmeals, salads, baked goods, and more
Menu recommendation	Power Greens & Grains Salad

The Corner Bakery Cafe can help satisfy your cravings with its extensive menu of breakfast goodies. If you want the best fresh salad, the Power Greens and Grains Salad is a powerhouse with baby kale, arugula, spinach, chickpeas, cucumber and more, all under honey balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

If you are bringing along children, they are in for a treat as well with the Kid’s Meals. Mix and match the scrambled eggs and white toast with bacon, cheese, fruit, and more. You can also opt for the combo meal, which features half a sandwich and a small soup.

11. Freshii

Food type	Salads, soups, bowls, smoothies, and more
Menu recommendation	Baja Bowl

Freshii is one of America’s leading healthiest fast-casual dining options, though it initially hailed from Canada. It is dedicated to making nutritious food as accessible as possible, building bowls, hand-held wraps, and more to meet people’s dietary needs.

The Baja Bowl is a crowd favorite. It combines quinoa, romaine, avocado, corn, cabbage, and green onion with salsa fresca and cilantro lime vinaigrette. You can add proteins like eggs, chicken and steak. If you want to go full plant-based, tofu and falafel are wonderful alternatives.

12. Culver’s

Food type	Burgers, Seafood, and More
Menu recommendation	North Atlantic Cod Dinner

Culver’s normally goes under the radar, but that’s what makes it a great hangout spot for family lunches and dinners. Seafood items like the North Atlantic Cod Dinner is a great change of pace. You can order Kids’ Meals like the Buffalo Chicken Tenders for your children. Also, a fun fact — the Butterburger is the least unhealthy burger in a study that compared it to the Five Guys’ Cheeseburger, Shake Shack Single Cheeseburger, and more.

13. Au Bon Pain

Food type	Sandwiches, soups, salads, and more
Menu recommendation	ABP’s Original Chicken Salad

u Bon Pain translates to “from good bread” in English, which makes sense, as the restaurant is committed to using the best ingredients for every menu offering. One of its more unique creations is the ABP’s Original Chicken Salad.

Picture croissants stuffed with chicken, cranberries, tomatoes, and toasted almonds, with a layer of mayo and field greens. If you are vegetarian, try the Chipotle Black Bean and Avocado or explore other items on the menu. There are also gluten-free options available.

14. Taco Del Mar

Food type	Coastal Mexican
Menu recommendation	Rippin Fish Tacos

Taco Del Mar offers a dynamic take on Mexican cuisine by adding a coastal touch. The Rippin Fish Tacos, for example, features light seafood with cabbage on a soft tortilla with pico de gallo and its signature Baja white sauce.

Going on a trip with the family? Make meal planning easier by building one of your own meal kits. You can order platters of food that are good for four to eight people. Load it with tacos, burritos, and nachos of your choice.

15. Yogurtland

Food type	Frozen yogurt and ice cream
Menu recommendation	Lucky Irish Mint

For healthier sweets, Yogurtland is a good spot to try out. The creamy yogurts and ice cream utilize pasteurized and culture skim milk and natural flavorings. Most of its satisfying desserts are gluten-free and packed with calcium.

Some of the more beloved flavors include fresh strawberry and pistachio, which use real fruits and nuts. There are also seasonal offers like the decadent and refreshing Lucky Irish Mint, and you can customize the toppings on your treat!

Choosing Healthy and Fast-Casual Food

Understanding what the healthiest fast-casual dining options are is a good starting point. Here are several other considerations to make when choosing where to eat.

Wide menu selection	Some fast-casual spots may only focus on one kind of food type, like desserts or breakfast food. It is important to look out for variety, especially when you are feeling adventurous with eating.
Dietary needs	Some people may have to avoid allergens, gluten, and other components when eating. They may also follow no-meat lifestyles, such as vegetarianism and veganism.
Personal preferences	Is there a specific food you are craving? Have the kids been asking for a particular meal? Acknowledge your personal preferences and dine where it sounds delicious.
Customer experience	Healthy food aside, other parts of the customer experience also matter. For example, if you are dining in the space, the ambiance and fast service are much appreciated.

Other Ways to Make Healthy Decisions

Whether you are dining at a regular fast food place or ordering at a healthy dining restaurant, there is always room to prioritize your well-being more. Follow these suggestions for decision-making:

Boost your veggie intake: Add extra greens into the mix when you can. Doing so is especially valuable if you have not eaten vegetables in a while.

Pick roasted food over fried ones: Roasting or grilling can help take care of fat, while frying adds oil. Swap those proteins in your burritos, sandwiches, and more.

Sauce in moderation: As delicious as dips, dressings, and condiments are, make sure you only add a healthy dose. Some ready-made varieties may have too much fat and preservatives, which can affect your health in the long run.

Indulge in the Healthiest Dining Spots

Parents — health conscious or not — have a responsibility to put their welfare and that of their child first. Now that you know what the healthiest fast-casual dining options are, it is much easier to narrow down where you can head for freshly made meals.

p.s. Related posts:

How To Model Healthy Lifestyle Habits To Your Children

9 Ways to Inspire Your Children to Eat Healthy

Tips for Encouraging Your Child to Eat Healthy

5 Ways to Stay Healthy as a Busy Mom

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