While fast food is often associated with being unhealthy, there are tons of underrated healthy restaurants that we all need to try. From Mediterranean to Mexican food, this list of healthy fast food joints is an option for everyone. Having time to make a delicious, homemade meal is a luxury. These restaurants are great options for you if you don't have lots of time on your hands but still want a nourishing, satiating meal.
1. Cava
With options ranging from customizable greens and grain bowls to pita wraps, Cava serves delicious Mediterranean food. The varying options make it a great choice for a quick, yet delicious meal. While there are only 88 locations of Cava in the United States, if Cava is accessible to you, the restaurant is a must-try!
The build-your-own options start with salad and/or grains (lentils, brown rice, and saffron basmati rice). Then, customers can choose from several dips, including hummus, Crazy Feta, tzatziki, and more. And finally, customers can throw on toppings such as pickled onions, quinoa tabbouleh, and a tomato and onion salad. My favorite order consists of arugula, brown rice, sweet potato, chicken, roasted vegetables, and loads of amazing toppings, with pickled onions being my favorite.
2. True Food Kitchen
True Food Kitchen first opened in Phoenix. But, since then, its locations have expanded to many other states, such as Colorado, California, and Pennsylvania. Their classics include a miso-glazed sweet potato and vegan chorizo burritos.
True Food Kitchen is great for those with dietary restrictions (gluten-free, vegan, etc). After enjoying True Food's meals, you not only feel full and satisfied but also energetic and fueled.
3. Tender Greens
With most locations in California and a few expanding to New York and Boston, Tender Greens has tons of hearty meal options. Tender Greens offers salads, sandwiches, plates, bowls, sides, and desserts. Some of their most popular meals are their Mediterranean Steak salad and Chipotle BBQ Chicken bowl.
4. Sweet Green
While Sweetgreen is known for their balanced, nourishing salads, they also have bowls. Along with providing customers with the chance to customize their own salads, Sweetgreen also has various options already on the menu. Some options on the menu include the crispy chicken salad and the miso bowl.
5. Veggie Grill
As a vegan restaurant, the Veggie Grill is known for dishes like the Beyond Burger and Indian-inspired marsala bowls. The restaurant's menu changes seasonally, with a bowl of vegan meatballs available during winter. If you are someone who prefers to eat vegan meals or are somewhat plant-based, the Veggie Grill is a great choice to give a try.
6. Honeygrow
Founded in 2012, Honeygrow has become known for its curry stir-fries, roasted spicy tofu, and loaded salads. Their red coconut curry, consisting of red coconut curry sauce, rice noodles, roasted tofu, pineapples, jalapeños, carrots, scallions, cilantro, is a popular option. Honeygrow's Walnut St.
Noodle salad, made of rosé vinaigrette, whole wheat noodles, roasted tofu, organic arugula, roasted mushrooms, roasted broccoli, roasted walnuts, and parmesan crisps, is also a well-liked dish. Locations of Honeygrow include Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, Boston, and Chicago.
7. Chopt
"Eating your greens" is often associated with bland, flavorless food. But, Chopt has altered the way in which customers can eat nourishing food while truly enjoying what they are consuming. Customers' favorite light options are the Palm Beach Salad, composed of avocado, grape tomatoes, English cucumbers, hearts of palm, and romaine, along with Chopt's Mexicali Vegan Salad, including roasted sweet potatoes, hearts of palm, grape tomatoes, black beans, tortilla chips, jalapeno peppers, and romaine and spinach.
While eating at fast-food restaurants is accessible, ensuring that you are eating a balanced diet is extremely important. Aside from these restaurants being just as quick and easy as traditional fast-food restaurants, they also make healthy eating more approachable.
