Road-trip edition

We love road trips as much as the next guy, but the grab-and-go dining options leave something to be desired when it comes to healthy eating. The TOC Healthy Carrot picked out five fast-food restaurants you’ll likely encounter on the road, and we asked Chicago-based registered dietitian Dawn Jackson Blatner to give us the smartest meal orders. Because really, the only spare tire you want on your summer getaway is the one tucked in the trunk of your car.

Taco Bell
What to order Fresco grilled steak soft taco and Fresco Ranchero chicken soft taco and a side of guacamole
Expert says Thank you, Taco Bell, for your healthy-ish Fresco Menu. Because the flavor in the Fresco items comes from low-calorie salsa instead of cheese and sour cream, all the choices tend to have fewer calories and fat.
The fine print 360 calories, 11 grams fat, 3.5 grams saturated fat

Hardee’s
What to order Barbecue chicken sandwich and mashed potatoes
Expert says Common sense will tell you to skip the Monster Thickburger, which delivers almost a day’s worth of calories (1,420) and more than 100 grams of fat with its bacon, cheese, hefty third-pounders and mayo. Plus, swapping the fries for an order of mashed taters saves you more than 200 calories and 12 grams of total fat.
The fine print 410 calories, 8 grams fat, 1 gram saturated fat

Steak ’n Shake
What to order Jr. Steakburger sandwich and fries
Expert says This option comes from the kids’ menu, and although it errs on the high side in fat, you’ll get your fry and burger fix without filling out your midsection. The slightly smaller portions translate to big savings on the calorie count (about 700 fewer than the adult version).
The fine print 405 calories, 17.5 grams fat, 5 grams saturated fat

Wendy’s
What to order Baked potato and small chili
Expert says A hot baked potato and hearty chili in the summertime? Yep. This choice has fewer calories than even most of the salads here. For example, thanks to the bacon and dressing, the Chicken BLT Salad packs nearly 800 calories and more than 50 grams of fat.
The fine print 460 calories, 6 grams fat, 2.5 grams saturated fat

Arby’s
What to order Regular roast beef sandwich with Arby’s sauce and applesauce
Expert says Don’t be fooled by the Market Fresh Sandwiches. Although the name paints a healthy picture, these babies come loaded with calories and fat. Stick to the classic roast-beef sandwich, which saves you about 350 calories and 20 grams of fat.
The fine print 425 calories, 14 grams fat, 5 grams saturated fat

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