Healthiest Fast Food Canada: Low Calorie Options From Your Favourite Restaurants!

Fast food is a term that often directly resonates with unhealthy junk food. However,  that is only sometimes the case. Fast food can sometimes be the only option you can rely on, especially if you are living a fast-paced life with kids, meetings, sports, office work, and other events to attend. Lack of time can make cooking and eating healthy home meals more challenging.

You can opt to prep meals for the entire week beforehand, but there will be times when even this may seem impossible. When you’ve expired all options, all you are left with is “Option B” which is fast food. This may sound like a nightmare if you are all about a healthy lifestyle, but I can assure you that fast food does not straight out mean eating junk

Grabbing a quick meal from a drive-thru while on the run does not mean killing off your dietary goals. The good news is that several fast food chains are offering healthier options like salads, protein bowls, and wraps. Want to learn more about the healthiest fast food options in Canada? Keep reading to find out more below.

Healthy Fast Food Options In Canada 🍁

The good news is that there are a variety of healthy fast food options that can suit individuals with varying tastes. Whether you love sandwiches, salads, or smoothies, there is a healthy meal with low-calories at nearly every popular fast food chain.

Remember, that it is okay to eat out once or twice a week. This will not make you gain 10 pounds right away or kill you, so go easy on yourself when you do not have the energy or time to prepare a healthy meal at home. Some foods are a better option than others, but at the end of the day, it comes down to the total amount of calories you consume vs. the number of calories you burn. Keep this in mind, and you should be all set.

A few smart tips to keep in mind when eating out include:

• Opt for whole grain or whole wheat bread and brown rice for extra fiber. This will help with digestion as well.
• Load your meal with healthy vegetables such as extra peppers and mushrooms on a pizza or add salsa to a burrito bowl. Vegetables are full of minerals, antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber.
• Pick a single fat source, whether you prefer cream cheese, sour cream, Avocados, or cheese.
• Opt for lean proteins like chicken and turkey.
• Get salad dressing and condiments on the side so you can add only what is needed.
• Some fast food chains help with ordering hacks, so avail of these to enjoy a more nutritious meal.
• Since fast food contains added fat, sugar, and sodium, it is a good idea to skip desserts and sweet beverages. Drink water instead.

The Healthy Fast Food List (Canadian Edition)

I have compiled a list of the healthiest takeaway restaurants in Canada below. Yes, this may not be every single fast-food restaurant in Canada, but these are the ones I am most familiar with!  Maybe more can be added later, but for now, twenty different restaurants should be a good starting point.

The macronutrient information of each item will be listed as the following and in G (grams) . P (protein), C (carbohydrates), F (fats).

1. A&W
2. Booster Juice
3. Burger King
4. Chipotle Mexican Grill
5. Dominos
6. Extreme Pita
7. Freshii
8. KFC
9. McDonald’s
10. Mr. Sub
11. Mucho Burrito
12. Nandos
13. Pita Pit
14. Popeyes Louisiana Chicken
15. Quiznos
16. Subway
17. Starbucks
18. Taco Bell
19. Tim Hortons
20. Triple O’s

Fast Food Low-Calorie Meals

Below I have compiled a list of the lowest-calorie fast food options. These are not necessarily the highest in protein, but eating these meals will help you stay aligned with your daily calories and macros.

If you want to hit your macros perfectly and stay in a caloric deficit, you may have to pick and choose different options. However, if you want to eat out knowing that a single meal will not destroy your regime, then the list below has great breakfast, lunch, and dinner options you can choose from.

A&W Low-Calorie Options

A & W Food Facts

A & W Food Menu

A&W Breakfast: Cheese & Egger

The Cheese and Egger consist of a fresh egg and a layer of cheddar cheese. You can request it to be served on a sesame seed bun, toasted English muffin, or limited edition flakey croissant. This meal consists of only 360 calories. The best part is that they use eggs from hens strictly fed a vegetarian diet.

Macronutrient Information:

14 P, 30 C, 25 F

A&W Lunch: Lettuce Wrapped Mama Burger

The A&W Lettuce Wrapped Mama Burger offers a healthier twist to a classic favorite, and is only 400 calories. Juicy and flavorful, this burger features a seasoned beef patty, topped with fresh tomato, onions, and tangy pickles, all nestled within a refreshing lettuce wrap, providing a satisfying and guilt-free burger experience.

Macronutrient Information:

20 P, 35 C, 20 F

A&W Dinner: Spicy Chipotle Chicken Wrap

The Spicy Chipotle Chicken Wrap is a delicious blend of flavors. Grilled chicken is coated in a spicy chipotle sauce and wrapped in a soft flour tortilla with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and mayo. This wrap comes in hot at 340 calories.

Macronutrient Information:

12 P, 26 C, 21 F

Booster Juice Low-Calorie Options

Booster Juice Nutrition Guide

Booster Juice Breakfast: Hawaiian Sunset

This is one of the lowest calorie items on the Booster Juice menu ( besides teas and celery juice) and it comes in at 130 calories for the snack size (355 ml).

Macronutrient Information:

2 P, 31 C, 0.5 F

Booster Juice Lunch: Egg White & Cheese Wrap

This healthy yet delicious wrap has an egg-white patty, salsa, and Monterey Jack cheese on a whole wheat tortilla shell to help you add some fiber to your lunch. This meal is 280 calories.

Macronutrient Information:

15 P, 32 C, 10 F

Booster Juice Dinner: Chicken Quesadilla

The Chicken Quesadilla is a mouthwatering delight that combines tender grilled chicken, melted cheddar cheese, and zesty salsa folded in a warm, toasted tortilla, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that will leave you craving more. This meal comes in at 340 calories.

Macronutrient Information:

24 P, 34 C, 11 F

Burger King Low-Calorie Options

Burger King Nutrition Explorer

Burger King Nutrition Guide

Burger King Breakfast: Egg & Cheese English Muffin

The BK Egg & Cheese Muffin comes in at 232 calories for the entire sandwich. The only other lower calorie option are the French Toast sticks with 230 calories per 3 pieces, but expect more if you add syrups and butter.

Macronutrient Information:

13 P, 21 C, 12 F

Burger King Lunch: Whopper Jr.

A smaller version of the iconic burger, it features a flame-grilled beef patty topped with fresh lettuce, ripe tomatoes, pickles, onions, and creamy mayo. It’s a delicious and satisfying option for those craving the classic Whopper taste in a more compact size. This burger is only 323 calories, and can help curb cravings.

Macronutrient Information:

14 P, 27 C, 19 F

Burger King Dinner: Spicy Chicken Jr.

The Burger King Jr. Spicy Chicken is a flavorful and spicy sandwich. It consists of a crispy chicken patty seasoned with spicy spices, topped with fresh lettuce and mayo, served on a soft bun. This sandwich is 288 calories, and is a great choice for a quick and easy dinner.

Macronutrient Information:

13 P, 40 C, 9 F

Chipotle Mexican Grill Low-Calorie Options

Chipotle Mexican Grill Low-Calorie Nutritional Information

Chipotle Mexican Grill Nutrition Facts (2021)

Chipotle Mexican Grill Lunch: Chicken Salad

This chicken salad has fresh romaine lettuce, a ton of grilled chicken, mixed with black beans and topped with salsa. This salad combination has a total of 495 calories, and remember if you start to add extra toppings like guacamole, sour cream, cheese, and salad dressing the calories will be significantly increased.

Macronutrient Information:

37 P, 34 C, 24 F

Chipotle Mexican Grill Dinner: Steak Burrito Bowl

The Steak Burrito Bowl, is my go-to whenever I eat at Chipotle and this can be multiple times per week. This bowl contains 435 calories, the base is half rice and half lettuce, and then topped with black beans, steak, cheese, and salsa.

Macronutrient Information:

33 P, 34 C, 17 F

Dominos Low-Calorie Options

Dominos Nutrition Guide

Dominos Lunch: Thin Crust Veggie Pizza (Light Cheese)

This option may not be the most glamorous 🤣 but it can allow you to squeeze in delivered pizza into your diet without breaking the calorie bank. For 2 slices, the total comes out 270-300 calories, and this depends on your vegetable choices.

Macronutrient Information:

10 P, 27 C, 14 F

Dominos Dinner: Classic Hot Buffalo Chicken

The Hot Buffalo Chicken is breaded, tender, and has a good combination of flavour and heat. For one serving (4 pieces), the total amount of calories is 170. If you are not up for the heat, you can also try the Sweet BBQ or Butter Chicken and the amount of calories are very similar.

Macronutrient Information:

13 P, 9 C, 9 F

Extreme Pita Low Calorie Options

Extreme Pita Nutrition Guide (2020)

Extreme Pita Lunch: Grilled Chicken & Goat Cheese Pita

A flavorful and satisfying option for health-conscious individuals containing only 340 calories. This pita features tender grilled chicken paired with creamy goat cheese, offering a balance of lean protein and rich flavor. With fresh vegetables and a whole wheat pita, it’s a lower-calorie choice that doesn’t compromise on taste or nutrition.

Macronutrient Information:

29 P, 34 C, 10 F

Extreme Pita Dinner: Chicken Cesar Pita

Tender grilled chicken is combined with crisp romaine lettuce and a light Caesar dressing, all wrapped in a whole wheat pita. This option provides the classic taste of a Caesar salad while keeping the calorie count in check. A smart choice for those seeking a lower-calorie (350 calories total) fast food option without sacrificing the satisfying taste of a Caesar salad.

Macronutrient Information:

32 P, 37 C, 9F

Freshii Low Calorie Options

Freshii Nutrition & Allergen Guide (2022)

Freshii Breakfast: Green Eggs & Kale Bowl

Freshii Lunch:

Freshii Dinner:

KFC Low Calorie Options

KFC Nutrition & Allergen Information

McDonald’s Canada Low Calorie Options

McDonald’s Nutrition Calculator

Conclusion 

I hope you enjoyed all of my fast food choices. Remember that balanced eating is key to a successful diet. If you enjoy everything in moderation, weight loss will become easier and more enjoyable.

Healthiest Fast Food Canada: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)