Avoid fat with the right picks at Chick-fil-A
by Robin Vitetta-Miller, M.S.
If you thought Chick-fil-A served only batter fried chicken, read on. Looking Good Now! was surprised and pleased to find a number of healthy selections at this fastfood chain. Plus, the nutrition information for their entire menu (from breakfast to salad dressings to dessert) is available on-line at www.chick-fil-a.com. There's also a helpful section on food allergens.
There's no question you should avoid their Biscuit with Bacon, Egg and Cheese, which contains 470 calories, 27 grams of fat and 1,190 mg of sodium. You should also dodge their Chick-N-Strips, because just four will cost you 470 calories and 23 grams of fat. Another loser: their small fries with 280 calories and 15 grams of fat. The good news is we found great choices that won't compromise your health. And, surprisingly, none of their menu items is brimming with saturated fat thanks to the heavy use of unsaturated oils.
Here are our picks of their best choices:
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Chargrilled Chicken Garden Salad
Grilled chicken is sliced and nestled over a mix of romaine and iceberg lettuces, shredded red cabbage, carrots, grape tomatoes, broccoli, and Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses. For very few calories, you can enjoy this low-carb meal (if that appeals to you) while downing a significant amount of protein. Pour over their Light Italian Dressing and add 15 calories, 0.5 grams of fat and 580 mg of sodium. Choose this over the Chick-N-Strips Salad and avoid 270 calories and 16 grams of fat.
Calories 180
Fat 6g
Saturated Fat 3.5g
Carbohydrates 10g
Fiber 4g
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Hearty Breast of Chicken Soup with Side Salad
Hearty is right: This satisfying, broth-based soup is crammed with white meat chicken, carrots, celery, onions and noodles. The salad is a colorful and nutrient-dense blend of romaine and iceberg lettuces, grape tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, red cabbage and shredded Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses. Add the Fat Free Honey Mustard dressing and add 60 calories, zero fat and 200 mg of sodium, OR opt for the Reduced Fat Berry Balsamic Vinaigrette and add 70 calories, 2 grams of fat and 150 mg of sodium. Enjoy this great meal instead of the Chicken Salad Sandwich and skip 260 calories and 13 grams of fat.
Calories 240
Fat 7g
Saturated Fat 2g
Carbohydrates 30g
Fiber 2g
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Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich
Nicely seasoned and grilled chicken breast filets resting on a golden wheat bun and then topped with tomatoes, green leaf lettuce and pickles. The wheat bun boasts wheat flour, cracked wheat and wheat bran with the sweetness of molasses. Add barbecue sauce and add 45 calories and ZERO fat. Choose this over the Chicken Deluxe Sandwich and dodge 150 calories and 12.5 grams of fat.
Calories 270
Fat 3g
Saturated Fat 1g
Carbohydrates 37g
Fiber 4g
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