List of fast food resturants

These are the fast food restaurants I can think of off the top of my head:

1. McDonald's
2. Burger King
3. Taco Bell
4. In 'n' Out Burger
5. Dairy Queen
6. Sonic
7. Wendy's
8. Arby's
9. Jack in the Box
10. KFC
11. A&W
12. Del Taco
13. White Castle
14. Popeye's
15. Fatburger
16. Carl's Junior
17. Hardee's
18. Chick-Fil-A
19. El Pollo Loco
20. Church's Chicken
21. Starbuck's
22. Tommy's
23. Der Wienerschnitzel
24. Orange Julius

It's hard to draw the line between the chains and the pure fast food restaurants. Subway, for example, is a fast food restaurant, but I've never a Subway with a drive-through. One of my favorite fast food restaurants is CouCouRoo. All fresh ingredients and very good food, but again, I've never known one with a drive-through. And then there are the pizza parlours, the fast food Chinese places, and Starbuck's. I know a Starbuck's with a drive-through window in Grapevine, California. It's the only one I've ever seen with one, but it definitely exists.

My number one favorite fast food place is Pret-a-Manger, which has a number of outlets in London, a few in New York, and at least one in California--in Beverly Hills. Again, no drive-through, but they make the best sandwiches with great, fresh fruits and vegetables. They even give what they can't sell to the homeless.

I'm from Southern California, and I remember when there were only a few branches of McDonald's. That was before Ray Kroc got involved and made it an international phenomenon. It was fun watching the number of burgers served go from the thousands to the millions to the billions. They've finally given up, and if they do announce a number served, it's "billions and billions."

My favorite fast food hamburgers are served in In-'n'-Out Burger, though I also like Fatburger and Tommy's. I'm not much of a hot dog fan (I know that's heresy!), but the ones I like best are at Pink's in Los Angeles. Again, a fast food restaurant with no drive-through. I'm not much of a fan of Der Wienerschnitzel.

Anyway, that's my brief list, including ones that I know for sure have drive-throughs. I'll bet at least one of the other answerers can think of twice as many!

Healthier fast food at fried chicken chains

Although certain chains have been advertising “no trans fats” in their food, the fact is that fried chicken can pack quite a fattening punch. According to the restaurant’s nutrition info, just a single Extra Crispy Chicken breast at KFC has a whopping 440 calories, 27 grams of fat, and 970 mg of sodium. A healthier choice is the drumstick, which has 160 calories, 10 grams of fat, and 370 mg of sodium. Alternatively, if you like the breast meat, take off the skin and it becomes a healthy choice at 140 calories, 2 grams of fat, and 520 mg of sodium.

Some tips for making smarter choices at fast food chicken restaurants:

The Big Fried Chicken Chains

Less healthy choices Fried chicken, original or extra-crispy. Teriyaki wings or popcorn chicken Caesar salad Chicken and biscuit “bowl” Adding extra gravy and sauces

Healthier choices Skinless chicken breast without breading Honey BBQ chicken sandwich Garden salad Mashed potatoes Limiting gravy and sauces

Healthier fast food at burger chains

Figuring out healthier options at your favorite fast food burger chain can be tricky. A typical meal at a burger joint consists of a "sandwich", some fries and a drink, which can quickly come in at over 1700 calories for something like Burger King's Triple Whopper with a large fries and a 16 oz. soda. A better option would be a regular single patty burger, small fries, and water, which is about 500 calories. Alternatively you may enjoy a veggie burger smothered in grilled onion and mushrooms. Or if you want a large beef burger, then skip the fries and soda and have a side salad and water instead.

The Big Burger Chains

Less Healthy choices Double-patty hamburger with cheese, mayo, special sauce, and bacon Fried chicken sandwich Fried fish sandwich Salad with toppings such as bacon, cheese, and ranch dressing Breakfast burrito with steak French fries Milkshake Chicken “nuggets” or tenders Adding cheese, extra mayo, and special sauces

Healthier choices Regular, single-patty hamburger without mayo or cheese Grilled chicken sandwich Veggie burger Garden salad with grilled chicken and low-fat dressing Egg on a muffin Baked potato or a side salad Yogurt parfait Grilled chicken strips Limiting cheese, mayo, and special sauces

Guides can help you make healthier meal choices

Many fast food chains post nutritional information on their websites. Unfortunately, these lists are often confusing and hard to use. Instead you can go to other websites that provide health and nutrition information, but in easier to follow formats. Some even publish comparison downloadable guides or inexpensive pocket guides. Learn how to make a healthier meal selection at your favorite restaurant:

• HealthyDiningFinder.com – allows you to search for restaurants offering a selection of healthier menu options and view the nutrition data for selected items. You can search for area restaurants or a specific restaurant.
• Stop&Go Fast Food Nutrition Guide – this guide is particularly convenient and easy to use. Look up any of the major chain restaurants and find out how to make healthier choices. For more information, see below.

Top tips for healthy eating at fast food restaurants

Make careful menu selections – pay attention to the descriptions on the menu. Dishes labeled deep-fried, pan-fried, basted, batter-dipped, breaded, creamy, crispy, scalloped, Alfredo, au gratin or in cream sauce are usually high in calories, unhealthy fats or sodium. Order items with more vegetables and choose leaner meats.

Drink water with your meal. Soda is a huge source of hidden calories. One 32-oz Big Gulp with regular cola packs about 425 calories, so one Big Gulp can quickly gulp up a big portion of your daily calorie intake. Try adding a little lemon to your water or ordering unsweetened iced tea.

“Undress” your food. When choosing items, be aware of calorie- and fat-packed salad dressings, spreads, cheese, sour cream, etc. For example, ask for a grilled chicken sandwich without the mayonnaise. You can ask for a packet of ketchup or mustard and add it yourself, controlling how much you put on your sandwich.

Don't be afraid to special order. Many menu items would be healthy if it weren't for the way they were prepared. Ask for your vegetables and main dishes to be served without the sauces. Ask for olive oil and vinegar for your salads or order the dressing "on the side" and spoon only a small amount on at a time. If your food is fried or cooked in oil or butter, ask to have it broiled or steamed.

Watch portion size - An average fast food meal can run as high as 1000 calories or more, so choose a smaller portion size, order a side salad instead of fries, and don't supersize anything. At a typical restaurant, a single serving provides enough for two meals. Take half home or divide the portion with a dining partner. Sharing might make dessert (or something else indulgent) more of an option.

Watch your salt. Fast food restaurant food tends to be very high in sodium, a major contributor to high blood pressure. Don’t add insult to injury by adding more salt.

Avoid buffets – even seemingly healthy ones like salad bars. You'll likely overeat to get your money's worth. If you do choose buffet dining, opt for fresh fruits, salads with olive oil & vinegar or low-fat dressings, broiled entrees and steamed vegetables. Resist the temptation to go for seconds, or wait at least 20 minutes after eating to make sure you're really still hungry before going back for more.

Eat mindfully. Pay attention to what you eat and savor each bite. Chew your food more thoroughly and avoid eating on the run. Being mindful also means stopping before you are full. It takes time for our bodies to register that we have eaten. Mindful eating relaxes you, so you digest better, and makes you feel more satisfied.

Remember the big picture. Think of eating out in the context of your whole diet. If it is a special occasion, or you know you want to order your favorite meal at a nice restaurant, make sure your earlier meals that day are extra healthy. Moderation is always key, but planning ahead can help you relax and enjoy your dining out experience while maintaining good nutrition and diet control.