Eating out doesn't have to be difficult if you’re following a specific diet. Whether you’re looking to eat a bit cleaner, stick to plant-based foods, or lower your carb count, we collected some menu items and tips for some of the top food chains.
Lifesum plans at the top food chains
We took a few of our most popular diet plans from the Lifesum app to guide you through healthier options at the top food chains. Before we give suggestions for how to order with your personal plan, let’s take a look at the benefits you’ll gain from sticking to them!
Clean eating
The Clean Eating plan never tasted so good with nutrients you need to stay in shape and be healthy. The focus here is unprocessed foods that boost your nutrient intake and have components that work like natural medicine, arming your body to fight disease (1).
Plant-based
There are many variations to choose from, depending on what level of meat eating, or not eating meat, you desire. If you’re new to pant-based, try going Vegan for a Week. You’ll get nutritious and easy-to-cook meals focused on fiber and nutrient rich plants. Plant-based diets have been shown to manage weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and beyond (2).
Healthier fast food menu options
Here are some personalized eating plan picks for a few of the top food chains. Keep in mind that these are just suggestions. If there are foods you don’t like, feel free to swap or take it out. If you have an allergy or a medical recommended diet, always make sure to check in with your physician or dietitian to double check on the ingredients.
Starbucks
Clean eating
Beverage: Unsweetened green or herbal tea, or black coffee.
Meal: Rolled & steel-cut oatmeal
Snack: That’s it Apple + Blueberry or almonds.
Plant-based
Beverage: Plain coffee or tea or milk based with oat, almond, or soy milk.
Meal: Rolled & steel-cut oatmeal or Chickpea Bites & Avocado Protein Box.
Snack: Squirrel Brand Fruit & Nuts or That’s it Apple + Blueberry bar
Keto/Low carb
Beverage: Black coffee, espresso, espresso con panna, milk based with heavy cream.
Meal: Sous Vida Egg bites, Reduced-Fat Turkey Bacon & Cage Free Egg White Breakfast Sandwich (remove the bun), or a protein box without the bread and fruit.
Snack: Pack of almonds, Justin’s Almond Butter pack (non sweetened), or boiled eggs.
Tacobell
Clean eating
Meal: Crunchy Taco, Power Menu Bowl, or Soft Taco with chicken. Ask for “fresca-style” to replace the cheese, sour cream, and mayo sauce with tomatoes.
Side: Black beans, black beans and rice, pintos, and guacamole.
Plant-based
Meal: Veggie Power Menu Bowl (without sour cream and cheese for vegan) or Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme (no sour cream or cheese sauce for vegan).
Side: Salsa, guacamole, black beans, lettuce.
Keto/Low carb
Meal: Power Menu Bowl (ask for extra meat and no beans or rice) or Burrito Supreme (no tortilla).
Side: Black beans (small portion contains 5 g net carbs), guacamole, or cheese.
Chick-Fil-A
Clean eating
Meal: Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Market Salad with light vinaigrette dressing (bring your own oil and vinegar dressing to avoid preservatives), Egg White Grill (no American cheese)
Side: Fruit cup or side salad.
Plant-based
Meal: Entree salads (except Cobb), Cool Wrap (without chicken or cheese for vegan).
Side: Kale Crunch side, fruit cup, or Buddy Fruits apple sauce.
Keto/Low carb
Meal: Breakfast sandwiches (without English muffin or biscuit), Grilled Nuggets, Grilled Chicken Sandwich (without bun or sauce).
Side: Side salad or kale salad (without dressing).
Chipotle
Clean eating
Meal: Burrito bowl (with lettuce or brown rice base), corn tortilla tacos.
Toppings: Meat of choice, salsas, guacamole, lettuce, fajita vegetables.
Plant-based
Meal: Vegetarian Burrito Bowl (no cheese for vegan), bean or Sofritas tacos and burritos.
Toppings: Fajita vegetables, corn salsa, fresh salsa, hot salsa, lettuce.
Keto/Low carb
Meal: Burrito Bowl (with cauliflower rice or lettuce base and without beans).
Toppings: Meat or Sofritas, guacamole, cheese, salsa.
With that said, you can of course enjoy whatever you are craving from the menu every now and then, but sometimes we need some guidance on what to have in mind when following a specific eating plan.
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All of the content and media on Lifesum is created and published for information purposes only. It is not intended to be used as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Users should always consult with a doctor or other health care professional for medical advice. If you have or think you are at risk of developing an eating disorder, do not use the Lifesum app and seek immediate medical help.
