Pages

▼

Healthy Junk Food

According to this website these restaurants are listed as America's Top Ten Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants:
  1. Panera Bread ... Over 1,230 locations nationwide & Canada
  2. Jason’s Deli ... 206 locations in the West, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, South
  3. Au Bon Pain ... 280 locations nationwide
  4. Noodles and Company ... 204 locations in West, Midwest, South
  5. Corner Bakery Cafe ... 111 locations in West, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, South
  6. Chipotle ... 800+ locations nationwide
  7. Atlanta Bread ... 106 locations in 24 states (Southeast, West, and North)
  8. McDonald’s ... 14,000 locations nationwide
  9. Einstein Bros. Bagels ... 649 locations nationwide
  10. Taco Del Mar ... 270 locations in 22 states
I was following along until I got to #8 on the list when the website lost all credibility with me. Here is part of what they say about #8:

Registered dietician Moore notes that an Egg McMuffin, at 300 calories, is a smart alternative to other “calorie-laden biscuit breakfasts.” And our whole panel commends McDonald’s for spelling out the nutritional information right on the back of its tray liners. ... And if you’ve gotta have fries, McDonald’s are made in a healthy canola-blend oil and come in at just 230 calories for a small.
Give me a break. Just because McD has a few healthy choices does not justify their inclusion on this list.. by in large most people frequent the Golden Arches to pig out on burgers, fries and cokes.. not salads. Their inclusion on this list calls all the others listed into question.

Just to end with something positive.. I like Panera Bread.. good coffee and decent soups.. and the bagels at Einstein Bros are the best I have had.. especially the poppyseed variety. I have eaten at 7 of the 10 listed.. how many have you tried?
Are any on the list your favorites?
Posted:

13 comments:

  1. crownringJune 17, 2009 at 9:49:00 AM CDT

    Hi Bob,

    I used the site link and was interested in what people had to say about the article. However I have looked at these types of lists in the past and I'm often left scratching my head in bemusement. Many of these sandwich (bread) restaurants use rolls that are so large, the massive load of carbs overwhelm whatever good qualities the sandwiches might otherwise have.

    BTW, I've found Eat This, Not That! to be helpful in avoiding unnecessary fat and calories. Here's a link to one of their articles in Men's Health Magazine.

    http://www.menshealth.com/eatthis/20-Worst-Foods/index.php

    BTW, they recommend that if you're going to eat dessert, eat fruit pie! :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. AmberJune 17, 2009 at 10:02:00 AM CDT

    McDonald's??? Healthy?? Oh my ... I'm with you, while they may have some healthy choices that's not why people go there.

    We don't have many of those listed here in Cincy. I love Panera but the calorie count of their sandwiches is higher than a Big Mac so you've got to be careful. Salad dressing can make a salad pretty unhealthy too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. BrianJune 17, 2009 at 12:15:00 PM CDT

    Some of these restaurants have some healthy choices. But, they are far from health food restaurants. To me, if a place has a menu that is dominated by fat and salt laden food (read McDonald's), a few healthy items does not make it a health food restaurant? How many people go to Mickey D's to get a salad and who eats a small french fries?

    I don't know why Subway is missing from this list. They have several sandwiches and salads that are low in calories and fat (relatively speaking). I'm not a big fan of Panera. They are way overpriced, in my book. I really like Chipotle and have started getting their bowls instead of their burritos. That saves you 300 calories. Leave out the sour cream and the guacamole and some of their menu items are actually downright healthy.

    Conspicuously absent, IMO is Subway. Subway offers a great alternative with whole wheat buns, lots of fresh veggies and some low fat sandwiches.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mike aka MonolithTMAJune 17, 2009 at 12:51:00 PM CDT

    Calorie Count gave the Egg McMuffin a "C"

    http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-mcdonalds-egg-mcmuffin-i53855

    ReplyDelete
  5. kc bobJune 17, 2009 at 2:35:00 PM CDT

    Good thoughts here for sure.

    I checked out Chipolte's Burrito on CR's list and found this saying that their Mexican Grilled Chicken Burrito is the worst coming in at: 1,179 calories; 47 g fat; 125 g carbs; 2,656 mg sodium.

    My wife Ann said similar things about Panera Brian and also thought that Subway should be on the list.

    Gotta wonder Mike how the mcmuffin made the mclist.

    ReplyDelete
  6. BrianJune 17, 2009 at 2:46:00 PM CDT

    Yeah, Bob. Chipotle can be ridiculously bad. Their wrap alone is 300 calories. But, as I said, leave off the burrito (300 calories), the cheese and the guacamole and their bowls are a pretty good meal. When I go, I get the bowl only (skip the sides) and I can get by with less than half the calories the article you pointed to cited. 600 calories for dinner ain't bad at all. It is awfully high in sodium though. But, I don't know what fast food isn't.


    http://www.chipotlefan.com/index.php?id=nutrition_calculator

    ReplyDelete
  7. NCSueJune 17, 2009 at 4:03:00 PM CDT

    MacDonalds? Healthy?

    Yeah, right.

    That's why most of its patrons are slender. Notice that next time you drive by the drive through.


    I've eaten at 5 of them and, of those, Panera's is the healthiest I've found. Food isn't bad, nor are the prices.

    Now as to price, McDonalds is pretty good. I'll give 'em that much, anyway!

    ReplyDelete
  8. NCSueJune 17, 2009 at 4:03:00 PM CDT

    MacDonalds? Healthy?

    Yeah, right.

    That's why most of its patrons are slender. Notice that next time you drive by the drive through.


    I've eaten at 5 of them and, of those, Panera's is the healthiest I've found. Food isn't bad, nor are the prices.

    Now as to price, McDonalds is pretty good. I'll give 'em that much, anyway!

    ReplyDelete
  9. NCSueJune 17, 2009 at 4:03:00 PM CDT

    MacDonalds? Healthy?

    Yeah, right.

    That's why most of its patrons are slender. Notice that next time you drive by the drive through.


    I've eaten at 5 of them and, of those, Panera's is the healthiest I've found. Food isn't bad, nor are the prices.

    Now as to price, McDonalds is pretty good. I'll give 'em that much, anyway!

    ReplyDelete
  10. BrianJune 17, 2009 at 4:07:00 PM CDT

    McDonald's used to be the cheapest game in town. But, now it's no cheaper than Wendy's who offers much better food, IMO. I occasionally get a craving for a Big Mac (about once a year) and sometimes for a Filet O'Fish (about 3 or 4 times a year). Other than that, it's Wendy's over McDonald's every time for me.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Shane Vander HartJune 18, 2009 at 5:36:00 PM CDT

    I'm surprised Jason's Deli isn't #1 - no trans fat.

    Very good, too bad for me it's on the other side of the Des Moines Metro area so I don't get over there much.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnnieJune 19, 2009 at 6:19:00 AM CDT

    Noodles and Company is a favorite! Unfortunately they have closed several stores in our area. They have a wide selection of pasta soup and salads. And I know this one is not going to make the healthy list...rice krispy bars!!! YUM!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnnieJune 19, 2009 at 6:19:00 AM CDT

    Noodles and Company is a favorite! Unfortunately they have closed several stores in our area. They have a wide selection of pasta soup and salads. And I know this one is not going to make the healthy list...rice krispy bars!!! YUM!!!

    ReplyDelete

I love to get comments and usually respond. So come back to see my reply. You can click here to see my comment policy.