Add on a side of multigrain or whole wheat toast and fresh fruit for fiber and vitamins. Order an egg over easy for an ~easy~ way to bump up the meal’s protein and healthy fats, says Golub.įor a savory breakfast instead, try building your own omelet (“with the whole egg-there's no need to fear the egg yolk,” says Golub) incorporating your favorite veggies. Go for the short stack (ask for butter on the side per Golub’s recommendation) and a cup of fresh fruit for added fiber, vitamins, and minerals to your breakfast. “Pancakes are never a bad idea! It’s just about being mindful while eating them,” says Golub. It would be cruel and unusual if I told you to go to the International House of Pancakes and NOT order pancakes-so I am not going to do that. IHOP: Short Stack + Fresh Fruit + Egg Over Easy OR Veggie Omelet + Fresh Fruit + Toast For a more balanced meal, order a side salad with your pizza to get in some filling fiber and essential vitamins, says Golub. Topped with nearly every character from VeggieTales (mushrooms, onions, roasted red peppers, black olives, spinach, and diced tomatoes), this pie is a great way to add vegetables to your dinner. And the pacific veggie pizza is so good it will have you pressing pause on your Love Island marathon so you can grab another slice. If you are like me, then your Friday night consists of ordering a pizza and catching up on trashy reality TV. Not to mention, getting those extra veggies on the side is a great way to balance out the meal,” says Golub. “I love that the chicken is grilled instead of fried for a great lean protein option. Pair with a side salad or steamed broccoli for the perfect lunch.

Sparing no seasonings, this grilled chicken dish packs some serious southwest flavor. You might know Red Robin for their bottomless fries and sky-high burgers, but this healthy hidden gem on their menu should absolutely be on your radar. So whether you pick one of these healthy, non-salad meals or opt for something else on the menu, know that we support you on this journey! Just remember, there is no such thing as “good” or “bad” food, since one meal won’t make or break your health, says Chelsea Golub, MS, RDN, CDN. But salads are not the end of the road for your healthy-eating dreams, says dietitian Jenna Appel, RD.īrowse the menu for foods containing these healthy eating out must-haves: protein (lean meat, fish, or plant-based sources like beans), healthy fats (nuts, seeds, or avocado), and fiber (vegetables and whole grains). Now unless you are ordering a lackluster salad, you might think finding a healthy option from a place like McDonald's or IHOP would be impossible. I mean, you can literally drive into any town across America and know McDonald’s golden arches will be there to greet you, regardless of the time of day or night. But despite their reputation, these restaurants can be a reliable eating out option that can actually offer a balanced, affordable, and convenient meal. Yes, we all know chain restaurants get a bad rap. Luckily, for the days you don’t feel like a Food Network chef, your fave chain restaurant is always there to pick up the slack. Sometimes you just really don’t want to cook yourself a meal, and trust me, I totally get it! Aimlessly wandering the aisles of Trader Joe’s for ingredients, trying to track down a recipe you saved on TikTok three months ago, and taking time to prepare the food and then do cleanup is a chore and a half.

Healthier food options