I Only Ate ‘Healthy’ Fast Food For 50 Hours Fast food: it’s easy, convenient, tasty — but healthy? Not exactly the first word that comes to mind. So I decided to challenge that narrative. For the next 50 hours, I committed to eating only the healthiest options available at major fast food chains. Here’s what happened.
☕ Stop #1: Starbucks – Starting Strong
I kicked things off with Starbucks, not just because I need my socially acceptable addiction (read: coffee), but because they actually have some solid health-conscious options.
- Order: Black Coffee + Potato Cheddar Chive Bakes
- Nutrition: 210 calories, 13g fat, 12g protein
- Verdict: The texture was soft and crumbly, the egg held everything together like a tired working mom, and the taste? Surprisingly great. I’d give it 4/5 stars — bump it to 5 if the protein content was just a tad higher.
Next up: Steel-Cut Oatmeal with dried fruit and nut medley.
- Nutrition: 160 calories, 5g protein
- Verdict: Decent for a side, but a bit bland. Could use cinnamon or brown sugar. 2.5/5 stars
🍔 Stop #2: Burger King – Regret Served Fast
Burger King has always been a “once-a-year” place for me, and today reminded me why.
- Order: Classic Hamburger
- Nutrition: 250 calories, 10g fat, 13g protein
- Verdict: The patty was paper-thin, oddly textured, and tasted… suspicious. The staff was lovely, but the food made me feel grumpy, sluggish, and sick. 1/5 stars
🍗 Stop #3: Chick-fil-A – Redemption
Finally, something promising. Chick-fil-A is a bodybuilder’s favorite, and for good reason.
- Order: 30 Grilled Nuggets + Chicken Noodle Soup
- Nutrition: 510 calories, 98g protein (nuggets alone)
- Verdict: Absolute win. Flavorful, juicy, perfectly seasoned. The soup was decent too — a little light on chicken, but comforting.
- Ratings: Nuggets: 5/5 stars, Soup: 3/5 stars
🍕 Stop #4: Pizza Hut – Light, Thin, Surprising
Pizza on a health plan? Yup — if you’re smart.
- Order: Thin & Crispy Veggie Lover’s Pizza, light cheese
- Nutrition: ~150 calories per slice
- Verdict: Dry but satisfying. Far less greasy than usual and topped generously with veggies. Started at 4.5 stars, but later revised to 3.75/5 stars for lacking protein.
🌮 Stop #5: Taco Bell – Fresco Flop
Opted for a Fresco-style Beef Burrito Supreme (replaces cheese & sour cream with tomatoes).
- Nutrition: ~350 calories (25% less than original)
- Verdict: Limp, watery, underwhelming. Too soft, no texture, barely a tomato in sight. 1.5/5 stars
🍏 Stop #6: McDonald’s – Surprisingly Solid
Everyone’s childhood favorite — but could it be healthy?
- Order: Grilled Chicken McWrap (no mayo, sweet chili) + Apple Slices + Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothie
- Nutrition: Wrap – 460 calories, 30g protein
- Verdict: The wrap was the real MVP — juicy, flavorful, and well wrapped. Apples were unnaturally pale, and smoothie too sugary.
- Ratings:
- Wrap: 4.5/5 stars
- Apples: 2/5 stars
- Smoothie: 2/5 stars
🥗 Stop #7: Wendy’s – The Salad Underdog
- Order: Apple Pecan Chicken Salad with low-fat pomegranate dressing
- Nutrition: 440 calories, 33g protein
- Verdict: Fresh, filling, and thoughtfully prepared. Chicken was warm, greens were vibrant. Only complaint? Surprise attack by blue cheese. 3.5/5 stars
💥 Final Thoughts: Can Fast Food Be Healthy?
In short: rarely, and even when it is, it often lacks the satisfaction, nutrients, or taste that homemade meals offer. But if you’re in a pinch, you can make smart choices. Here are my takeaways:
- Best Meal: Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets – unbeatable protein and taste
- Worst Meal: Burger King Hamburger – instant regret
- Biggest Surprise: McDonald’s Grilled Wrap – flavorful, filling, and balanced
- Total for Day 1:
- Calories: 2,200
- Protein: 180g
- Fat: 60.5g
- Carbs: 234g
Despite choosing the “best” options, I still woke up bloated and foggy. It’s not just about macros — ingredients matter. Fast food can fill you up, but it won’t fuel you the same.
🎥 Watch the full video to see every meal, every rating, and every regret.
Because fast food might be fast — but health takes time.