KFC's, McDonalds', and Taco Bell's Healthiest Food Choices

Quality of medical care has been the focus on the recently passed Health Care Reform Act.

However, one sleeper aspect of the law, supported by the National Restaurant Association, is the National Calorie Labeling Law to be standardized by the FDA. This law will require restaurants with over 20 locations (that's about 200,000 restaurants nationwide) to post calories for all menu items. Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises 945,000 restaurant and food service outlets and a work force of nearly 13 million employees. (restaurant.org/pressroom/ pressrelease/print/index.cfm?ID=1909)

For those concerned about calories and nutritional content, all fast food chains post this information on their web sites. Some, such as Kentucky Fried Chicken, also have this information available at the restaurant.

Checking the calories and fat content of menu items at KFC, McDonalds, and Taco Bell, it is obvious that smaller meals, grilled foods, fruits, and vegetables contain less fat and calories. So, for the healthiest fast food choices, choose grilled meats, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid french fries and sugary desserts. Pass on the creamy sauces, cheeses, and bacon bits. Select low-calorie dressings and choose coffee, tea, diet soda, or plain water over sugar-laden drinks.

Below are the healthiest choice menu options (based on number of calories and grams of fat) taken from the web sites of Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonalds, and Taco Bell. If sugar and sodium content are concerns, check the web sites of each of these restaurants for information on these.

Kentucky Fried Chicken's (KFC) web site offers detailed information and on-line tools for diabetics, food sensitivities, and weight loss. Kentucky Fried Chicken also posts this information in brochures available at KFC restaurants.

Kentucky Fried Chicken Healthiest Choice Menu Items

KFC Honey BBQ Sandwich
300 calories 6g fat, 1.5g saturated fat

KFC Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
120 calories 4.5g fat, 1g saturated fat
.
KFC Original Recipe Drumstick
140 calories 8g fat, 2g saturated fat

Corn on the Cob 3"
70 calories .5g fat

Baked Beans
200 calories 1.5g fat

KFC Potato Salad
180 calories 9g fat, 1.5g saturated fat
Includes red bell peppers, onions, celery, and mayo

KFC Cole Slaw
190 calories 11g fat, 2g saturated fat

McDonald's Healthiest Choice Menu Items

McDonald's Chicken McNuggets with Sweet 'N Sour Sauce
4 pieces, 220 calories 10g fat, 2g saturated fat

McDonald's Hamburger
260 calories 9g fat, 3.5g saturated fat

McDonald's Egg McMuffin
300 calories 12g fat, 4.5g saturated fat

McDonald's McChicken
370 calories 16g fat, 3.5g saturated fat

McDonald's Ranch Snack Wrap (Grilled)
270 calories 1.5 carbohydrate Diet Exchange, 2 lean meat, 0.5 medium fat meat, 1 fat

Honey Mustard Snack Wrap (Grilled)
260 calories 1.5 carbohydrate, 2 lean meat, 0.5 medium fat meat, 0.5 fat

Chipotle BBQ Snack Wrap (Grilled)
260 1.5 carbohydrate, 2 lean meat, 0.5 medium fat meat, 0.5 fat

Mac Snack Wrap
330 calories 1.5 carbohydrate, 1.5 medium fat meat, 2.5 fat

Taco Bell's Healthiest Choice Menu Items

Taco Bell Fresco Style Crunchy Taco
150 calories 7g fat, 2.5g saturated fat

Taco Bell Fresco Style Grilled Steak Soft Taco
170 calories 5g fat, 1.5g saturated fat

Taco Bell Fresco Style Tostada
200 calories 6g fat, 1g saturated fat

Taco Bell Gordita Nacho Cheese -- Chicken
270 calories 10g fat, 2.5g saturated fat

Sources:

kfc.com/nutrition/pdf/kfc_nutrition.pdf

nutrition.mcdonalds.com/nutritionexchange/foodexchanges.pdf

tacobell.com/nutrition/information

restaurant.org/pdfs/government/2009_menu_labeling_review.pdf