60 Moms Discuss How to Find Healthier Fast Food Options for Your Kids

We’d first try a sub place so we could squeeze in some fresh vegetables on a semi-healthy sandwich. Then we’d go for a hamburger or grilled chicken somewhere.

If we had to eat out of our home, we would look for a fresh salad bar (Whole Foods has a great one) and fresh fruits. If that was not available, we would try to find a pizza and salad bar.

Chick fil A, Panera, or maybe Subway. They usually offer a little more than just a fast food meal feel. I like the food and atmosphere.

Jason’s Deli, Noodles & Co and Milio’s.

Jason’s Deli & Milio’s have a drive-thru — which is a God send when you have 3 young kids! I love their menu options (for myself, too) and appreciate that they are healthier choices, but still quick and still affordable.

Chick Fil-a Nuggets – chicken is better then beef.

Thin Crust Chicken Alfredo Pizza – better-for-you pizza than the red sauce and cheese-smothered thick crusts.

Chick Fil A, Burger King, Sonic.

We usually order the chicken from Chick Fil A and BK instead of the burgers, and order water with our meals most of the time!

We would probably head to Panera Bread due to their “Clean” ingredients. I like that they are committed to removing artificial preservatives, sweeteners, etc. from their food by the end of the year (2016).

Other options would be either Noodles & Co or Chipotle, depending on what type of cuisine we were craving.

I like that Chipotle uses produce from local sources, and they state their meats are free of hormones and antibiotics.

Noodles & Co is the same in that they state their meats are free of hormones and antibiotics, and I love that I can get smaller portions of their bowls, and know the calorie count!

Chipotle because it is organic, Chick FillA because they use fresh ingredients, and Baja Fresh because they have fresh ingredients.

Chick Fil A, On the Border/Taco Cabana, or Zoe’s.

Ideas are grilled chicken, steamed veggies, make your own pizza places, and chicken tacos.

My first choice would be to choose a foot long Subway Sub, because I can split it between a few kids and can get it loaded with vegetables.

My 2nd choice would probably be a hamburger and side salad. You can usually find both on dollar menus and since I have a large family, I tend to go where we can eat cheaply, but they can still get some veggies in.

Costa Vida – Great options for salads with protein such as chicken, steak and beans.

Cafe Zupas – Healthy sandwiches and soups, perfect in the Fall and Winter

Noodles and Company – many different choices with something for everyone. Lots of dishes that not only include some type of noodle (which my kids love) but veggies as well.

Zoe’s Kitchen is awesome and yummy and overall pretty quick.

PDQ’s food is super fresh and offers great selections like grilled chicken. They also recently added zucchini fries to their menu as a healthier alternative to french fries. For the kids we love their fresh green apple slices.

We also love Jersey Mikes, they offer sandwiches without all the grease of drive-thru fast food restaurants and for my gluten-free husband they have a sub in a tub option.

I am always in favor of going to Subway in this situation. My kids are not big into veggies, but take them to a sandwich shop and they load up on them!

If Subway is not an option, we choice a play with fresh stir fry. I always find giving my kiddos a choice in their foods leads to amazing healthy choices!

Eating out in a pinch means serving the lowest common denominator.

I would look for a simple meal like plain cheese quesadillas and sneak in some apple slices and baby carrots in my purse. My older two will eat many different foods but my little one is picky as they come.

For places, we often choose IN N Out because their food is made fresh on site.

Our number 1 choice is Chipotle. Their kids meals are very reasonably priced, come with a drink, and are healthy – beans, cheese, tortilla, and rice plus organic milk or juice. Plus they have a lot of vegetarian options for us.

Our second choice would be Noodles. The kids love the mac and cheese and we can buy 2 large bowls and split it among the 4 of them, and there is plenty. We love that it is real food that is cooked right there when you order.

We live in a great area were many fast food restaurants are now adding in healthy options for kids.

When having a CRAZY day and we must go out to eat. I like to give my kiddos options. It makes them feel part of the process, otherwise they will not like what they are having for dinner.

They get options like four to six piece chicken nuggets with their choice of sauce, apple slices, and 1% white milk from McDonald’s, or a kids sub turkey sub sandwich on whole wheat bread, with lettuce, tomato, black olives (my kids fav) with apples slice and 1% whole milk from Subway.

There are really a lot of healthy options out there, you just have to pay careful attention to the menu options available.

Preference to grills than fries. Low carb, high protein for my growing kids.

In a perfect world, there would always be enough time to cook my family a home cooked meal every night. But, life happens. Between busy schedules and kids after school activities, there does come a time when we have to eat Fast Food.

While the Fast Food options are numerous, there are only a select few restaurants that are my go-to for such an occasion. My top choice is Panera Bread. Their kids menu offers a variety of options including grilled cheese and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches prepared on whole grain bread. I also love that their meals come with an apple and low-fat milk or organic apple juice. It’s their natural ingredients that keep me coming back to Panera Bread for a quick meal.

Another go-to restaurant is Subway. Their well rounded kids meals help kids maintain a balanced diet. Each meal comes with a sandwich, apple slices or yogurt, and low-fat milk, juice or water. Sandwich choices consist of lean meats and cheeses, and have the option of being served on whole wheat bread.

Pizza is always a good choice for a fast meal, but it’s not always healthy. Thankfully, our family has discovered Blaze Fast-fired Pizza. What I love about this restaurant is that you control the amount and type of ingredients you put on your pizza. The portions are individualized, but are also suitable for sharing. Blaze offers a variety of toppings, including veggies, lean meats and healthy cheeses, giving kids the opportunity to create their own pizza masterpieces.

As a busy mom, it’s good to know that there are Fast Food options out there that are not just the usual greasy burgers and fries. It is possible to eat out as a family and still be healthy.

Some sort of wrap or chicken nuggets with a fruit cup

Subway Kids Meal (sandwich with tons of veggies, apple slices, milk box & sun chips). I would get this instead of something fried plus the little ones like seeing their sandwich being made and like to request additional types of vegetables on it.

Chipotle Kids’ meal because it features yummy food with fresh ingredients.

We don’t eat fast food, but if the kitchen was out of order, we’d probably head to an Italian restaurant because it has something for everyone in my brood: veggies, meats, salads, pastas. Easy to navigate allergies.

Second option would probably be Mexican – tacos for the adults, rice and beans and usually a side of some veggie for the kids. Guacamole for everyone. Easy to navigate allergies.

Third would probably be Turkish or Lebanese. Harder to navigate with the allergies but we all love Mediterranean food.

Chipotle Kids Meal – Black Beans, Brown Rice, Cheese Quesadilla with Guac, Orange = includes all food groups and they actually eat it! Tons of protein

McDonalds Chicken Nugget Happy Meal – Chicken Nuggets now have no preservatives and are all natural. Includes apple slices and a yogurt instead of fries, and milk. My kids love it and feel full. I do wish there was a veggie option (sometimes I bring carrots!)

Panera – Grilled Cheese add avocado on whole wheat, yogurt, and a fruit.

We love Chik-Fil-A most. The rest of my family just loves it because it tastes so good but I do feel like it’s a healthier than your other traditional fast food chains. I also like that they have great salads.

Subway is another favorite. My girls like to add veggies on their sandwiches, an option that you don’t get at most chains unless you order adult sized meals.

Eating out is a treat for our kids, so although we generally try to eat healthy, I’m more willing to overlook things when we go out to eat.

My kids all love chicken nuggets, so I try to stop at fast food restaurants with higher quality nuggets. I also love it when they offer other healthy sides, like apple slices, yogurt, and/or mixed fruit.

1) McDonald’s Grilled Chicken Snack Wraps – Less than 300 calories, 14 grams of protein and the boys love them.

2) 6″ Subway Sandwich – usually under 500 calories, lots of different choices and the buffet style of the layout encourages the boys to load up on the veggies!

When I am traveling on the interstate on road trips my top fast food restaurant is Chik-fil-A. My kids get a kids chicken nugget meal with fresh fruit and lemonade.

I like that the nuggets are real chicken meat and not ground up formations. I like that I can get a salad or wrap for a healthy option too.

If we have more time to spend on our road trip, I stop at Cracker Barrel for fast, consistently good food.

I would head to Chipotle and we would order “bowls.” I would skip the rice, and we would load up on the veggies, especially lots of fresh salsa!

Or we would head to Chik Fil A and get a salad with fruit and grilled chicken (and probably splurge on an ice dream!). We always order water with lemon when we eat out, both for nutritional preference and because we can taste the food better!

Grilled Chicken Nuggets from Chick-fil-A – grilled is better for you.

McDonalds Chicken Nuggets because of all-white chicken and satisfies a taste for crispy chicken.

Subway sub with lots of veggies piled on.

Our healthier fast food choices would be Chik-Fil nuggets and Fruit Side, McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets and Apples Slices + Yogurt, and Subway Kid’s meal.

We try to chose meals that incorporate healthier sides in them, or smaller portions.

Chick-Fil-A because they have Gluten Free options for me and fruit cup and milk options with their kids meals.

My kids also love Costa Vida for their rice and pico de gallo.

Fruit instead of fries, salad instead of fries, juice instead of soda

If I had no choice but to get my kids fast food, there are a few places I would stop.

I would go for the grilled nuggets from Chic-Fil-A, the kids turkey sandwich and soup from Panera Bread, or a kids roll-up with hummus and pita from Zoe’s Kitchen.

My family’s top choices for fast food in a pinch are: Chick-Fil-A and Subway.

At Chick-Fil-A my kids get the nuggets, but they choose apple sauce instead of fries and lemonade to drink.

At Subway my kids eat a turkey and cheese sandwich with apples and milk. And my kids are THRILLED when Chick-fil-A or Subway are on the menu.

My first choice for ‘healthy’ fast food is Chick-fil-A. Their food seems fresher and less greasy than some of the alternatives.

Our second choice would be Subway. I’m not a huge fan of lunch meat but it’s definitely a step up from burgers and fries, plus my kids will add some veggies to their sandwiches.

My third choice would be Wendy’s chili. That’s the healthiest option on their menu that my kids would actually eat.

Most fast food offers healthy options such as apples or yogurt, so we usually get these as the sides with chicken nuggets to keep it somewhat healthy.

Subway is our first choice for fast food. We can choose a sandwich full of protein and vegetables, along with apples for a side.

If Subway isn’t an option, something like chicken, apples and yogurt from McDonalds would work great.

I’m all about making healthy choices and understand that sometimes life happens. If my children can choose something like apples for a side, instead of french fries, I feel like that is a “win”.

Sometimes we’ll go get Acai Bowls or Smoothies and call it a meal. Load up on the fruits, some granola, a nut butter. The boys love it! My husband and I get it with a scoop of protein so it’s more of a complete meal for us!

Chick-Fil-A- We like to consider it “better for you” fast food. Their chicken is amazing, salads are so good, and they’ll make any of their sandwiches protein style. Instead of fries order the fruit cup for the kiddos!

Subway- My kids will always eat a turkey sandwich. We put it on their whole wheat bread and opt for the baked chips!

Chick Fil A nuggets for kids with fruit cup, and salad for me.
Chipotle – they love to create their own bowls!
Subway – they have whole grain breads and again, the kids love to ‘make their own’.

Our “go to” fast food meal is from Chick-Fil-A. My girls love the grilled chicken nuggets, applesauce and low-fat milk.

In fact, love buying this kids meal for myself and putting the grilled nuggets in a salad for an easy and delicious adult meal.

I don’t stress out about “once in a while” issues like this – life happens, and there are bigger fish to fry, as it were.

Some of the healthier options for a quick meal out for us include Chipotle, Moe’s, Noodles & Company, and Salad Works.

Grilled Chicken, Salad, or Burritos. I think because these choices aren’t fried they are a great option. With the salad and burrito you can load up on veggies.

We love Chipolte because they source quality ingredients and have great kids’ meals. If Chipolte is out, we would try to find a pita joint for a gyros or falafel, or we’ll head to Panera and grab a sandwich and salad.

Sandwiches, to skip the fried foods menu, or rice bowls because they are always a hit with my kids and we usually have enough to take some home for leftovers.

Chick Fil A, Chipotle, Panera. There are so many healthy options and protein!

Subway has fresh and relatively healthy options to choose from for sandwiches.

Grilled Chicken Sandwich from Chick-Fil-A is a healthy option if you omit the creamy sauce, put it on a whole wheat bun, and get a fruit cup with it.

Panera Bread also has some healthier options to choose from.

Subway – A lot of healthy options.

McDonalds – Cheeseburger, Apples, White Milk. Best choice when they really want the treat.

Well, I hate to admit this scenario happens more often then I’d like to tell you!

We try to avoid the mega-chains with their dripping, monster fare and instead go for the more healthier options.

• In ‘n’ Out Burger – single cheeseburger protein style, shared fries, + iced tea.
• Panera – from the Pick 2 Menu – half salad and half sandwich + iced tea
• Del Taco – Standard Tacos, Quesadillas, and Refried Beans + iced tea.

1. Pizza or Italian food – there are many healthy options near us

2. Greek food – we all love falafel, pitas, appetisers and Greek salads.

3. Thai food – there are a plethora of vegetarian options as well as healthy meal choices our kids and we love.

I’m really lucky because my daughter more often than not will choose a salad even at a fast food place.

For my son, I always opt for fruit as the sides for whatever meal he picks.

I don’t usually let my kids drink soda, I prefer them to have milk.

If it was my choice, I would opt for them to eat grilled chicken when we go out, but realistically I just focus on the side options so they feel in control of their food choices.

Chick-fil-A

Consistent service and proven food choices where fresh fruit made in each store nourishes my children with the kid’s meal.

Also included is an option for milk or juice, since we do not drink soda. I like to eat the new kale superfood and love the ingredient list provided at each register for those who have food allergies.

I am on their Chick-fil-A Mom’s panel but was a fan long before I was a member of the panel.

In-N-Out Burger

With the ability to remove the hamburger bun and wrap the burger in lettuce, this is also a favorite of ours. This gives a nice shot of protein and reduces the sugar content in the meal.

If you have ever dealt with a hangry child who needs to eat but just cannot make up their mind, then you will appreciate the simplified menu.

My recommendations are limited to the above two for healthy eating at a fast food restaurant since we have eliminated almost all fast food in our diet when we made a major overhaul in our eating habits.

I usually would go to a place that offers grilled options instead of only fried. My daughter usually likes grilled chicken nuggets, she doesn’t really eat cheeseburgers. Instead of fries, we always get the fruit option and milk instead of soda or juice.

I like these options because they are just so much healthier then fried greasy food. I love the fact that these options have been available since she was a baby so she doesn’t really miss the fried food. She actually prefers the healthier option and doesn’t ask for the fried nuggets or french fries.

We like to grab quick meals at Chipotle since they are very open with their ingredients and willing to make sure everything is clean for us.

We also like to stop by convenience stores for a quick meal. We can get packs of nuts, fresh fruit, drinks, and more. The key is to pick one of the newer, bigger convenience stores that has a large selection of items.

Chick Fil A because I can substitute a fruit cup or kale salad for french fries.

Publix Deli – I can pick up a Rotisserie chicken along with fresh salads and sides.

With three kids it’s hard to find something healthy that they all like. We aren’t super strict about “junk food” because our kids are very active in sports, but we do aim to eat reasonably healthy.

Our top choice for fast food is Taco Bell bean and cheese burritos because all three kids will eat them and they are a good source of protein.

Second choice is McDonalds because they offer healthier side alternatives like yogurt and fruit.

If I could get my kids to LIKE sandwiches, a sub shop would be my first choice.

When we eat out, we look for high-protein options and add in a side of fruit or veggies.

We try to teach our girls that you don’t have to eat perfect all the time – if you focus on eating foods with nutritional value, your body can balance out the occasional treat.

Chipotle – the build your own tacos are awesome.

Chick Fil A – almost anything.

IHOP is a favorite because kids eat free on weeknights

Choice #1 is grilled chicken tenders! These are a great source of protein, and as long as they don’t say “nuggets”, I feel pretty confident that the majority of what’s inside is actually chicken!

Choice #2 A Veggie wrap! Many fast food restaurants now have wraps, which is great if you fill them with veggies, and depending on the sauce that comes inside, maybe leave that out too and grab a mustard packet!

We prefer to eat out at places like Chipotle or Panera so there are a bit more veggie-full options.

But, on the days when the true old-school fast-food is what’s on the menu we let the kids have burgers and fries. But, no large portions, no refills, and no double cheese/meat happenings.

It’s okay to have those items sometimes, but not often, and we want our kids to be conscious that a large reason fast food places are so dangerous is because of their out of control portion sizes.

We like Mexican Food and have a few great Fast Mexican Food pptions.

Our kids like rice and simple tacos which are filling and not cooked in fats. Kids also like Flame Grilled Chicken and I like how it’s lower in fat and white meat.

We are also fans of sandwich shops and like that it’s a great way to load up on veggies.

1. Nuggets with fruit: I like this because it’s easy for little fingers to eat, and it’s a treat that my kids don’t usually get at home.
2. Breakfast for dinner: love that Mcdonalds is serving all day breakfast. The egg mcmuffin isn’t a bad choice, and it’s fun to switch up meal times.
3. Chicken burrito: This isn’t that healthy, but it’s easy to eat, and you can get a lot of food groups into a burrito if you work at it!