Carb foods

While we’d never advocate fast food be your main source of nutrition, sometimes the drive-thru is unavoidable. Whether it’s for convenience or cravings—you can make a pitstop at Micky D’s without wrecking your physique and actually get a solid dose of protein. It’s true: You can find high-protein fast food that can help you hit optimal levels of the muscle-building macro. There are just a few things to keep in mind. Can Fast Food Be a Good Source of Protein?Fast food has long been criticized for its association with unhealthy eating habits and its contribution to the rising rates of obesity and chronic diseases. Unlike the debate over healthy cheese varieties and whether or not bread is good for you (carbs have been unfairly demonized for years), fast food is generally poor in nutrition across the board.The obvious drawback of relying on fast food as a source of dietary protein is it’s notorious for being high in fat, sodium, and calories. A fried chicken sandwich slathered in BBQ sauce with a side of French fries doesn’t exactly scream well-balanced meal. Even healthier fast food options are still packed with more sodium than you should consume, which can add to water retention and bloating, points out New York-based nutritionist Jessica Cording, R.D.Amidst these concerns, an interesting question arises: Can fast food actually be a good source of dietary protein? Some options do provide a substantial amount of protein if you choose wisely. From burgers and chicken sandwiches to grilled chicken salads and wraps, many fast food establishments have incorporated protein-rich ingredients into their menus and are being more mindful of the push to have better-for-you offerings. Rather than rolling up and trying to guess what you think is high-protein fast food (or even the lowest calorie fast food), we’ve tapped a handful of nutritionists to tell you exactly what to order.How to Identify Healthier, High-Protein Fast FoodSome experts don’t break any nutrition rules when it comes to ordering fast food; they recommend ordering a la cart and tossing half the meal just to score the perfect portion of protein, carbs, and fats. But we’re not fans of food waste and other R.D.s are a bit more lenient. They argue you can enjoy the healthiest fast food options available as long as you’re not doing it every week. If you’re trying to make a lifestyle change that includes cleaning up your diet, don’t completely deprive yourself of foods you enjoy. Incorporate a couple days each month to indulge in a fast food meal. It can help you stick to a healthier nutrition regimen since strict diets tend to be too overwhelming for long-term sustainability. Also note we said cheat meal, not cheat day. The latter is an eight- to 12-hour window in which you go outside of your clean meal plan and straight-out binge. Just because The Rock has epic cheat meals doesn’t mean you should, as they’re typically recommended for those who are competitive athletes and bodybuilders who are burning serious calories. There are a few blanket rules everyone should follow when getting anything to-go, even from the so-called healthiest fast food restaurants, says Alexandra Miller, RDN, LDN, corporate dietitian at Medifast. Skip the soda.Opt for lean meat protein like turkey and chicken; beef is okay in moderation, but look for fish protein elsewhere.Order salad dressing on the side.Keep condiments to a minimum.(You minimize the amount of added sugar and salt you’re getting.) Ready to put in your order? Here’s the best high-protein fast food you can eat when you don’t have a healthy lunch packed from home. Meet the ExpertsKeri Gans, R.D.N., New York-based nutritionist and author of The Small Change DietMichelle Shepherd, R.D., founder of Westcoast NutritionJanet Brill, Ph.D., R.D.N., nutrition and fitness expert Jordan Mazur, M.S., R.D., director of nutrition for the San Francisco 49ersJessica Cording, R.D., New York-based nutritionistAlexandra Miller, R.D.N., L.D.N., corporate dietitian at MedifastThe Best Healthy, High-Protein Fast Food Options More