5 Fast Food Orders That Won't Undo Your Workout

Not all quick eats will kill your healthy diet.

ByABC News
July 17, 2014, 12:26 AM
Not all quick eats will kill your healthy diet.
Not all quick eats will kill your healthy diet.
Getty Images

— -- intro: The phrase “fast food” generally leaves a bad taste in our mouths these days, but let's be real -- when you’ve worked your tail off at the gym, sometimes those grab-and-go comfort foods call your name.

But there's no reason to feel bad about your cravings: The truth is, not all quick eats are nutritional suicide.

It’s best to replenish your body with a balance of protein and carbs after a tough sweat session, in order to aide in muscle recovery, and now that most fast food joints have made an effort to become more transparent about their calorie counts and ingredients, selecting a sensible recovery meal from a chain restaurant isn't entirely impossible.

Food Fails That Can Stall Weight Loss

For those times when cooking isn't an option (or you'd rather run another 5 miles than step foot in the kitchen), here are some of the most balanced dishes in fast-food land.

quicklist: 1category: Fast Food Orders That Won't Undo Your Workouttitle: Best Balanced Breakfasturl:text: Panera Breakfast Power Sandwich

Panera’s sit-down style masks its often calorie-crazy menu, but with 22 grams of filling protein and a dose of fiber from whole grain bread, this morning option is a surprisingly good way to start the day.

Calories: 340
Fat: 15 g; 7 g saturated
Protein: 22 g

quicklist: 2category: Fast Food Orders That Won't Undo Your Workouttitle: Best Balanced Lunchurl:text: Chipotle Soft Corn Tortillas With Steak, Cheese, Lettuce and Tomato

At Chipotle, it's easy to go overboard with a giant burrito and guacamole, but stick with the tacos and you’ll keep your portion -- and waistline -- in check. And always choose fiber-filled corn tortillas over processed white-flour wraps that'll only leave you hungry and heavy.

Calories: 525Fat: 18 g; 7 g saturatedProtein: 42 g

quicklist: 3category: Fast Food Orders That Won't Undo Your Workouttitle: Best Balanced Snackurl:text: Smoothie King Skinny Chocolate High-Protein Smoothie

The word “smoothie” can be deceptively associated with being healthy -- some of these sweet treats have more sugar than five Krispy Kreme donuts! But go for a high-protein version, and opt for the "skinny" style (no added sugar), and you’ll get all the cool, creamy goodness without forfeiting your hard-earned body.

Calories: 266Fat: 9 g; 1 g saturatedProtein: 30 g

Best Sugar-Saving Restaurant Swaps

quicklist: 4category: Fast Food Orders That Won't Undo Your Workouttitle: Best Balanced Dinnerurl:text: McDonald's Grilled Chicken Ranch BLT

Opting for a grilled chicken breast over a fried poultry patty means the added bacon won’t tip your calorie count over the edge. Sodium aside (it packs about half a day's worth), this is a surprisingly decent option from the McDonald's lineup.

Calories: 440Fat: 14 g; 4 g saturatedProtein: 36 g

quicklist: 4category: Fast Food Orders That Won't Undo Your Workouttitle: Best Balanced Desserturl:text: Wendy’s Chocolate Frosty (Jr.)

Hooray for reasonable portion sizes! Wendy’s Frostys are undeniably delicious, and with a decent balance of protein and carbs, you can feel free to occasionally treat your body (and your mind) with this classic fast-food shake -- in small doses anyway.

Calories: 200Fat: 5 g; 3 g saturatedProtein: 5 g