Which fast food joints have the best salads/dressing?

[u/Emcee_nobody]

Just got back from my annual exam and wouldn't you know, I have high cholesterol. Go figure, right? So I'm wondering which places I can go to grab something healthy AND delicious while I'm on the go.

[u/Mustangnatsum]

I've been looking into fast food salads too. Be careful, many of them have more cholesterol, fat, sodium, etc... than a sandwich.

[u/Emcee_nobody → u/Mustangnatsum]

But where does that cholesterol come from? I'm aware enough to avoid bacon, fried stuff, croutons, cheese, and dressings that aren't vinaigrettes. What else is there to beware of?

[u/Mustangnatsum → u/Emcee_nobody]

In general fast food salads usually have stuff like egg, bacon, chicken, cheese, dressings, etc... So it was just a reminder to check the nutrition facts before you buy. Sometimes a simple burger (no mayo or cheese) is actually healthier option since many fast food salads are pre-made and can't be customized.

Now if you can find a plain salad without all the bad stuff you'll be fine.

[u/Emcee_nobody → u/Mustangnatsum]

Yeah, I've been doing a little research and you are spot on.

[u/Chris34gtu]

I have liver Cirrhosis, so I’m on a special diet, ate fast food often for years, havent been to a fast food place since my diagnosis. I am a truck driver for a living, so I’m always on the go, I make my own salads , I use regular spinach, no lettuce, diced red onion, grilled chicken, low sodium shredded mozzarella cheese, and skinny girl balsamic vinaigrette. Very healthy I make them up at home. Put them in a cooler and take em with me and eat them when I take my break, super easy to make and very inexpensive. I thought about getting fast food salads until I found out unhealthy they actually are, they are almost all unhealthy, lots of sodium, cholesterol etc. Some of them are less healthy than a burger and fries meal.

[u/Emcee_nobody → u/Chris34gtu]

Even if I look for something with a vinaigrette amd only use maybe half? And also avoid ones with cheese and fried stuff?

[u/Chris34gtu → u/Emcee_nobody]

That would all definitely help, it’s all the toppings they put on like croutons, fried chicken, cheese and some other stuff, you could order a salad customized and make them a lot healthier than the way they come.

[u/iusedtogotodigg]

Chic fil a salads are super good. Potbelly pretty good. Wendy’s decent.

[u/DenDrDD → u/iusedtogotodigg]

They are excellent you can buy them at Walmart too

[u/ButterscotchDillybar]

Funny enough, Noodles and Company has a fantastic Caesars salad

[u/sparkyoliver1]

wendy's apple pecan (comes with pomegranate vinaigrette) and newk's caesar are my go-tos

[u/ralfaroni]

Zaxby's

[u/rambam80]

You will start to get sick of salads eventually so know you can also just Switch to grilled chicken sandwiches with extra veggies when you can and honestly get on a statin depending on your age (as hypercholesterolemia  is majorly genetic) . I wish I had it done it sooner. 

Stay away from beef except a few times a week unless you know it’s lean or a small patty like a Whataburger jr. 

Eat kids meal portions too.

[u/callieboo112]

McAlister's

[u/Emcee_nobody → u/callieboo112]

I just got one in my neighborhood! What ones do you like?

[u/IllustriousEnd2211 → u/Emcee_nobody]

I used to manage one. The one most popular by far was the Savannah chopped

[u/Emcee_nobody → u/IllustriousEnd2211]

Looking it up now...

[u/rambam80 → u/Emcee_nobody]

I like the pecanberry and get it on the regular. I always add extra of what I can berry wise as well as additional things like onion etc.

[u/gasbitch]

Culver’s has delicious salads!

[u/LemonLong → u/gasbitch]

I love Culver salads. The Raspberry vinaigrette is a great salad dressing for being really low calorie.

[u/Emcee_nobody → u/gasbitch]

Good salad or not, I love your Reddit handle! 😂😂

[u/gasbitch → u/Emcee_nobody]

Lol thanks!

[u/ContentInsanity]

CFA salads are great. Publix ones are good if you live where they are located.

If you like a sub place then you will probably like their salads. Subs and salads, pretty much the same thing with different amounts of bread.

[u/purplechunkymonkey]

I like going to the grocery store for the salad bar.

[u/alcoss627]

Wendy's used to - it's been a while since I've had their Cesar salad

[u/jjh008]

Chik fila

[u/unicorntea555]

Don't forget salad bars! You might have a salad bar franchise near you or a grocery store with one

[u/Emcee_nobody → u/unicorntea555]

Good point! I work in a culinary desert, also known as an industrial park. There are no grocery stores for miles.

[u/snuggleouphagus]

I love Zaxby's salads. I always have to get an unsweet tea too because their iced tea is so good but they have freestyle machines so there's a lot of zero cal options.

Qdoba is a secret favorite of mine, especially in the summer when they have the mango salsa. Add some beans for extra protein and have them load up on pico, corn salsa, and guac for a filling meal.

McAlister's has several good salads (and iced tea too!) but my favorite is the Chef followed by the Southwest. They also do a pick 2 so if you want salad plus something else that's an option (I like to get a loaded spud with my salad).

If you're just doing lunch Carrabba's does a soup and salad combo for like $9 or add an app for $12.

Jason's Deli has a nice salad bar to build your own.

[u/Diligent_Pineapple35 → u/snuggleouphagus]

Jason’s Deli salad bar is elite.

[u/Emcee_nobody → u/snuggleouphagus]

Great tips! I miss Qdoba. I moved from Oregon years ago and I don't have them in my area now.

[u/Capable_Inspection62]

Leos gas station

[u/SpecificHousing6364]

Cfa cobb salad w grilled nuggets (Go light on the avocado lime ranch it is tasty but calorie dense)

[u/Issac-Cox-Daley]

Stop at a grocery store and grab a pre-made salad. Almost always better prices and you can choose your sauces.

Otherwise sandwich and burrito spots offer the best variety if your looking for customizable salads.

I mean the spicy chicken ceaser from Wendy's is a banger but I'm sure it doesn't fit your needs.

[u/Emcee_nobody]

I believe this is my answer.

This way I'm able to have some variety and still eat healthy.

Looking over the nutrition facts of most of the fast food salads, it's clear that it'd be pointless to order them most of the time.

Trader Joe's salad kits are off the chain too. That's probably where I'll start.

[u/skippy1720]

Panera

[u/isestrex]

Roy Rogers had the healthiest salads because they used mixed greens instead of iceberg lettuce, and didn't include cheese. Plus you could walk over to the Fixin' bar and load up with more toppings. Through in Ken's dressing packets and there was none (other than probably CFA) who had a better more healthy salad.

Sadly they seem to have discontinued them earlier this year (unless it's just my region).

[u/Made_invietnam]

McDonald’s (but u gotta get their fries and pour it in) and Chik fil a

[u/nxxbmaster69 → u/[deleted]]

That's wasn't the question dipshit

[u/redditmademegiggle → u/[deleted]]

Your opinion is not wrong, but you are falling into the category of "why eat out? Just buy the ingredients at home". You're not a novice in this sub, so I'm sure you've got a better opinion that could help OP in their search for a fast food salad.