Beat Inflation With These 7 Low Calorie Fast Foods

Inflation is making it hard for many households to balance their budgets. Fortunately, if you don’t have time to cook at home, you can find some reasonably priced fast food options. However, if you’re also health-conscious, you need to make sure you’re selecting the right menu items. If you’re looking for low-calorie fast food that won’t break the bank, here are some solid choices.

1. Subway Veggie Delite Salad

When it comes to low-calorie fast food, the Veggie Delite Salad from Subway is one of your strongest options. You can load it up with as many different types of veggies as you’d like, and the calorie count still remains reasonable. Just make sure to watch out for the dressing, as some are healthier than others. Similarly, the amount of dressing you add makes a difference, so keep it lighter if you want to keep the total calories in check.

2. Taco Bell Fresco Soft or Hard Taco

At Taco Bell, soft and hard tacos aren’t just affordable; they’re some of the lowest-calorie fast food options around. Plus, you can order them “fresco” style. With a fresco soft taco or fresco hard taco, the cheese is replaced with diced tomatoes, and that brings the calorie count down by quite a bit.

3. Starbucks Egg White & Roasted Red Pepper Egg Bites

If you head to Starbucks for breakfast, lunch, or a snack, the Egg White & Roasted Red Pepper Egg Bites are a solid choice for the calorie-conscious. Plus, you get a decent amount of protein, which can help you feel fuller for longer.

4. Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets

For fans of Chick-fil-A, the Grilled Nuggets are an excellent option if you want to limit your calories. Plus, they’re low in fat and carbs and higher in protein, so they work well for people following an Atkins diet. Where you’ll want to be careful is the dipping sauce, as sauces can add a lot of calories. If you want a lower calorie option, the Zesty Buffalo Sauce is your best bet, though the Sweet and Spicy Sriracha and Barbecue sauces aren’t too bad, especially if you limit yourself to just one.

5. Chipotle Lifestyle Bowl

One challenge of following a particular diet – like Atkins, Paleo, or Whole30 – is finding fast food options that work with your plan. Fortunately, Chipotle Lifestyle Bowls are the perfect option. You can find versions that are grain-free, high protein, vegan, and more. While they aren’t the cheapest items on the menu, the fact that they’re designed to work with more restrictive diets can make them worthwhile.

6. Panera Bread Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup

If you’re looking for something warm and filling without a ton of calories, the Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup from Panera Bread is a solid option. A bowl only has 100 calories, and you get a decent amount of protein in the mix. You can also get an apple or seasonal fruit cup as a side, giving you something sweet for no more than an additional 80 calories.

7. Panda Express Broccoli Beef

For a low-calorie option from Panda Express that’s very filling, look no further than the Broccoli Beef. A standard serving is just 150 calories, which is very reasonable. Just be aware that it contains 520 mg of salt. While that can be a part of a healthy diet, it may not work for those who need to limit their salt intake depending on what they eat during the rest of the day.

Do you know of any other low-cost, low-calorie fast food items people should check out? Have you tried any of the options above and want to tell others what they’re like? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Tamila McDonald

Tamila McDonald is the Chief Operations Officer at District Media, Inc. A U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of distinguished service—including five years as a military financial advisor. Tamila is a former AFCPE-certified personal financial counselor who spent eight years post-retirement guiding wounded warriors and families on budgeting, VA benefits, and long-term planning, bringing more than 15 years of specialized writing and content leadership in personal finance and HR topics to ensure District Media delivers trustworthy, experience-backed guidance.