Healthiest Fast Food Options in 2026
Lower-calorie picks by chain
| Chain | Lighter order | About |
| Chick-fil-A | Grilled Chicken Sandwich or 8-ct Grilled Nuggets | 130 - 390 cal |
| Culver's | Grilled chicken sandwich, add a side salad | about 510 cal |
| Dairy Queen | All-Beef Hot Dog; DQ Sandwich for a treat | 190 - 320 cal |
| Dutch Bros | Black cold brew or a Sugar-Free Rebel | 5 - 30 cal |
| Five Guys | Veggie Sandwich or Little Hamburger, skip the fries | 440 - 480 cal |
| Jersey Mike's | A sub in a tub, no bread | 120+ cal, lower carb |
| Jimmy John's | Turkey Tom Unwich or a Little John | 240 - 380 cal |
| Little Caesars | One or two Classic Cheese slices | 250 cal per slice |
| Raising Cane's | Chicken fingers a la carte, unsweet tea | 140 cal per finger |
| Whataburger | Grilled Chicken Sandwich or a Jr. burger | 300 - 430 cal |
| Wingstop | Plain or lemon-pepper wings, no fried sides | about 100 cal per wing |
Simple swaps that cut calories
Three swaps do most of the work. Choose grilled over fried to save 150 to 250 calories. Trade fries for fruit or a side salad to save about 300. Drink water or unsweet tea instead of soda to cut another 200 or more. Together, that can turn a 1,100-calorie combo into a meal around 500.
What to watch out for
Salads are not always light. Fried chicken, cheese and creamy dressing can push a salad past a burger. Milkshakes and large fries are the biggest calorie add-ons at most chains. Check exact numbers on each brand's calories page before you order.
Keto and low-carb orders
Skip the bread, keep the protein. Jersey Mike's serves any sub as a Sub in a Tub (a bowl, no bread), and Jimmy John's wraps any sub in lettuce as an Unwich — the Turkey Unwich has about 7 g of carbs. Five Guys builds a bunless Burger Bowl, a bunless Whataburger runs about 480 calories, and Chick-fil-A's 8-count Grilled Nuggets are 130 calories.
Exact counts for every menu item are on each chain's calories page — Chick-fil-A, Jersey Mike's, Jimmy John's, Five Guys and Whataburger — or browse all 11 chains on the calories hub.
Keep reading: fast food calories by chain, what fast food costs in 2026, and Chick-fil-A vs Raising Cane's for the lighter chicken pick. Meat-free diners should start with the vegetarian and vegan guide.
FAQ
What is the healthiest fast food order?
A grilled chicken sandwich or grilled nuggets, a side salad or fruit instead of fries, and water instead of soda. Grilled chicken sandwiches are about 300 to 400 calories, and grilled nuggets can be under 150.
Is a fast food salad actually healthy?
Not always. A salad with fried chicken, cheese and creamy dressing can have more calories than a burger. Choose grilled chicken, go light on dressing, and check the calorie count on the chain's nutrition page.
How can I make a fast food meal lighter?
Pick grilled over fried, swap fries for fruit or a side salad, and drink water or unsweet tea. These three swaps can cut a combo by 500 or more calories without changing where you eat.