Alternative Fast-Food Lunch Ideas

Are you tired of Big Macs and Whoppers with a large order of fries? Try these different options, from your favorite fast-food restaurants.

Subway Cold Cut Combo with Chips

The reason I like Subway is because you can choose what you want on your sub, and what you don't want, and they make it right there in front of you. The Cold Cut Combo is one of the healthier subs at Subway, with ham, turkey, bologna, salami, cheese and your choice of toppings such as lettuce and tomato. Pair it with a bag of chips and you've got a quick, easy lunch.

Olive Garden's Unlimited Soup, Salad and Breadsticks Lunch

Olive Garden has a lunch special where you pay $5.95 and get all the soup, salad and breadsticks you want. Olive Garden's salad and breadsticks is one of the reasons I love eating here, and their lunch special makes a great lunch outing, especially with friends or coworkers.

McDonald's Bacon Ranch Salad with Fruit Parfait

A lot of people associate McDonald's with fatty foods and obesity. However, you don't have to eat cheeseburgers and fries all the time, since McDonald's has a great variety of fresh salads to choose from. My favorite is the Bacon Ranch salad with warm crispy chicken. The salad contains a fresh bowl of mixed greens, along with bacon, and then it's topped with chicken made to order. Top it off with a creamy Ranch dressing and croutons, and you're set. Finish off your lunch with a $1 fruit parfait, which is just basically yogurt with sliced strawberries and blueberries with granola topping.

Pizza Hut Personal Pan Pizza

When I was little, this is all I used to eat at Pizza Hut. Now as an adult, I realized that these little pan pizzas are perfect for lunches, instead of having to buy a whole large. A pan pizza has a delicious crust, which is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. A personal pan pizza is the same, only it has 4 mini slices of pizza for 1 serving. They also sell these at the Penguin games, and I love them!

Dairy Queen Cheese Dog

When you think of Dairy Queen, you probably think of ice cream. But Dairy Queen also offers food choices, including delicious hot dogs. Order up a hot dog with cheese topping, along with maybe an ice cream cone for dessert!

Taco Bell Fresco Chicken Fiesta Burrito

Taco Bell's Fresco options are supposed to be less fattening than their other foods. The Fresco Chicken Fiesta Burrito is a great choice, with a soft tortilla, warm chicken, lettuce, tomato, rice and cheese.

Panera Smoked Turkey Breast Café Sandwich

You're sure to find freshly baked bread at Panera, along with many "café" food options. My favorite is the Smoked Turkey Breast sandwich, but all of their sandwiches are fresh and delicious.

Sheetz MTO

One thing I love about Sheetz is the MTO (Made to Order) service they offer. They have a huge variety of foods, everything from breakfast bagels, to wraps and salads. With the touch screen system, you're able to choose exactly how you want your food, by selecting your favorite toppings such as lettuce, tomato, mustard, cheese and more. The order takes about 5 minutes to make, but you know that it's freshly made just for you, not something that's been sitting on the rack for an hour.

Vocelli Panini

Vocelli (which is formerly known as Pizza Outlet) has a great selection of Panini, which means "hoagie" in Italian. Their paninis are unlike any other hoagie you would find at another pizza joint. They are made on delicious crusty bread, which I absolutely love! You have a choice between several different types of Panini, including my favorite, the chicken!

KFC Bowls

For your lunch hour, you're probably don't going to want to order a whole bucket of chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy and corn, would you? KFC makes it simple by putting all of your favorites into one convenient bowl. The bowl is layered with mashed potatoes, topped with corn, gravy and boneless chicken pieces, along with shredded cheese on top. It's absolutely delicious and very filling as well.

Wendy's Garden Sensations Chicken Caesar Salad with Baked Potato

Wendy's also has a wonderful selection of fresh salads made to order, like McDonald's. What I like about Wendy's is that they have more of a selection of side dishes. You can get a side salad, baked potato, soup, chili, and more. It's not just French fries. A salad and baked potato makes for a great lunch option.

Arby's Beef and Cheddar Sandwich with Loaded Potato Bites

Arby's is one of my favorite places to eat, because their roast beef sandwiches are excellent! Most times, you'll be able to find deals for their sandwiches, such as 2 for $4 Beef and Cheddars. If you can't eat 2, then eat one at lunch and one later. Pair it up with a side of loaded potato bites with sour cream dip.

Burger King Tendergrill Chicken Sandwich

You can't go wrong with a good chicken sandwich for lunch. Burger King's Tendergrill Chicken Sandwich is a great choice. Choose as many toppings as you want, from lettuce to tomato and cheese.

Pack Your Lunch!

If you don't feel like going out to one of these places, then by all means, pack your lunch! You have loads of options for packing. Prepare a salad with all of your favorite veggies with your favorite dressing. Boil eggs and make egg salad sandwiches. Or be a kid again and do peanut butter and jelly! Then, pack along a few sides, such as a piece of fruit, bag of chips or pretzels, yogurt, Jell-O, 100 calorie pack, whatever you want! Don't forget something to drink as well!