Do Healthy Fast-Food Salads Exist?
Healthy fast-food salads seem to be quietly dwindling off menus since their debut in the early 2000s. However, finding a quick and affordable salad at fast-food places is easier than you think.
Salads started appearing on menus in the early 2000s with the rise of the weight loss era. At a time when The Biggest Loser was one of the most popular shows on TV, Weight Watchers was at its prime, and places like Subway were popping up on every corner because, back then, that was considered the utopia of healthy eating.
But since then, many chains have decided to drop salads from their menu.
Are Healthy Fast-Food Salads Difficult to Find?
Don’t worry. While I am the first to stand behind a good conspiracy theory, this one isn’t it. Believe it or not, it is not some big scheme to make Americans unhealthy, but simply a financial decision. Salads were only feasible for a few places to maintain. Not enough people purchased them, and fresh produce spoils much quicker than frozen French fries.
But for those who want a healthy option and realize that salad joints like Panera and Sweet Green have closed for the night, there are still options from fast food places! Some of you might not even realize it. So, whether you’re on-the-go or looking for a more affordable choice to being healthy, we compiled a list of options from fast-food chains that still proudly sell salads. See the list below in order of restaurants to plug into your GPS next time a late-night salad craving hits.
Restaurants with Healthy Fast-Food Salads Ranked Worst to Best
5. Dairy Queen
If there is a natural disaster, no other fast-food places are open, and I am searching for a salad, then I guess I’d stop here. But all in all, this place should stick to its blizzards because salads are just the toppings from other menu items thrown carelessly in a cup.
Rotisserie-Style Chicken Bites Salad Bowl (healthiest)
Crispy Chicken Salad (least healthy)
Side salad (least exciting/tasty)
4. Jack In The Box
Jack In The Box’s club salad comes with grilled or crispy chicken, but it is pretty standard for fast food salads. However, there are a few upgrades that you won’t see in Dairy Queen’s offerings.
Though it isn’t difficult for any establishment to up the ante from Dairy Queen, Jack in the Box does in the salad scale. They offer cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, crunchy tortilla strips, and croutons on their salads because someone who actually eats salads (and not rabbit food) created this menu.
Southwest Salad with Grilled or Crispy Chicken (most delicious)
Southwest dressing and crispy Fritos-styled tortilla strips? Yes, please!
Garden Salad with Grilled or Crispy Chicken (most healthy)
Grape tomatoes, shredded cheddar, and croutons are better than a salad with nothing!
Side Salad (least exciting)
No chicken. No fun. It’s an office cubical in your mouth.
3. Subway
Subway has the most extensive salad menu of all fast-food chains, though they’re almost cheating, considering they just took every salad and subbed the bread for lettuce. Still, it’s a salad, nonetheless.
With 16 salad options, not including the build-your-own, we’ll let you see what their salad menu consists of. But below are some of the healthier choices.
Rotisserie-Style Chicken
Oven Roasted Turkey
Grilled Chicken
Cold Cut Combo
2. Wendy’s
Wendy’s is notorious for their classic, unique menu. From chili to baked potatoes, this fast-food place knows how to bring variety to Americans… as well as health. Wendy’s salads have been a go-to of mine for years, and honestly, they’re dominating the market for drive-through salads.
Summer Strawberry Salad (the most healthy and delicious)
If fancy came through a drive-through window, it’s this. It’s a high-rated choice with applewood smoked bacon, strawberries, chicken breast, and champagne vinaigrette.
Apple Pecan Salad (tasty and second healthiest)
If fruit, roasted pecans, and crumbled blue cheese are your thing, this salad will be your thing, too.
Parmesan Ceasar Salad (tasty, third healthiest)
Greeks wouldn’t be mad at it.
Cobb Salad
Chopped eggs and crispy fried onions tell us they cared about this salad.
Taco Salad (most delicious, not healthy)
I’ve seen people eat this classic who aren’t even seeking a healthier lifestyle… it’s just that tasty! Granted, it may have been on a Taco Tuesday, but this bowl with tortilla chips, salsa, sour cream, and chili is perfect for any day of the week.
1. Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-a is like the kid who tries too hard in gym class. But hey, at least we reap the delicious benefits and healthy fast-food salads because of it!
Markey Salad (healthiest)
Fresh fruit, signature chicken, and a dressing that I think I witnessed someone drink? This one is good.
Spicy Southwest Salad (tasty, least healthy)
This one gives Jack in the Box a run for their money.
Cobb Salad (least healthy)
It is mind-boggling how a salad so simple could pose the greatest number of calories. But I guess the flavor will be some inches on the waistline at Chick-Fila-A.
Don’t Forget These Healthy Tips to Remember
Grilled Chicken vs. Crispy
When given the option, choose grilled chicken over crispy! I promise our arteries and cellulite will thank us whenever we steer our bodies away from deep-fried breading.
Avoid the Dairy
Cheese, sour cream, and dressing like ranch are high in fat. It’s safest to always stick with the vinaigrette as your salad dressing when looking for the healthiest option.
Now What?
Healthy Fast-Food salads are easier to come by than you would think! Though not as common as in the era of tight low-rise skinny jeans and ed hardy tee shirts, it’s nothing to lose sleep over.
Next time you’re craving a salad, be sure to stop at one of the places on our list for a healthy fast-food salad that will be prepared quickly and won’t hurt the bank in the process!
