Noodles & Company
noodles.com
Why does this Colorado-based chain top our quick-serve list? Noodles & Company combines 19 fresh vegetables with seven types of pastas in Asian, Mediterranean, or American entrees (think Indonesian Peanut Sauté or Wisconsin Mac & Cheese).
We love: The Trio—soup, noodles, or salad paired with your favorite protein, plus a side salad or a cup of soup.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
chipotle.com
The idea is simple: Build your own gourmet burrito, fajita burrito, taco, or burrito bowl. The flavor and the healthiness are in the details—naturally raised, antibiotic-free meats, organic beans, and even hormone-free sour cream. Corn tortillas give you a whole-grain option, and the tortilla-less Burrito Bowl lets you ramp up the proteins and veggies.
We love: Anything with the chipotle-adobo-marinated grilled steak.
Cosi
getcosi.com
Any chain that calls small appetizers “Shareables” has the healthy idea down. Cosi’s central theme—the hearth—yields tasty hearth-baked entrees (in the locations where they serve dinner), from Alpine Chicken to Grilled Wild Alaskan Salmon. High marks for baby carrots as a substitute for chips to go along with sandwiches.
We love: The delicious, healthy fruit smoothies in a green tea base.
Panera
panerabread.com
The bread is fresh and tempting (and you can go whole-grain). But look to Panera’s soups for great low-calorie and low-sodium options. Fresh fruit cups and apples make for healthy sides, and we give the restaurant special kudos for offering kids’ meals that come with organic cheese and all-natural peanut butter.
We love: “You Pick Two” combos. You can get half a sandwich paired with a vegetarian soup
Au Bon Pain
aubonpain.com
This chain boasts hormone-and antibiotic-free chicken. Plus, it provides a great nonfood nutritional tool: computerized kiosks available in most locations allow you to plan your meal and even sort the menu by your goal—whether it be high fiber and protein; or low carb, fat, cholesterol, sodium, or calories.
We love: The restaurant’s recent move to using preservative-free chicken, for better flavor and less sodium.
Comments (329)
America needs more of them!
homecookingdiary.com
There’s another side to this story. Chipotle is pretty much only healthy if you skip the shell, rice (filled with salt), cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa … is anything left after that?
http://www.cspinet.org/new/200309301.html
“You get a lot of good things at a fresh-Mex joint that you won’t find under the golden arches,” Jacobson said. “But it’s a shame Chipotle and its ilk can’t show more restraint with the fat, salt, and portion sizes–especially since none of these chains posts calorie information on menu boards.” (from link)
And here is the other side of Panera:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0813/is_3_30/ai_99848602
It seems like most choices there are actually not healthy at all, even when they look like it.
“The healthy-sounding Turkey Artichoke Panini, for example, has as much saturated fat as a McDonald’s Big Mac (11 grams), but far more calories (850 vs 590) and sodium (2,550 mg vs 1,090 mg).” (from link)
I think it’s irresponsible to call these restaurants healthy, when SO MANY choices at each one are filled with salt and fat. It’s not ok to say “look to Panera’s soups!” when most of their soups contain half a day’s worth of fat. You should probably be more specific if you don’t want this to look like PR for these 5 restaurants.
Chipotle? LOL Its been proven many times that choptle is not healthy cause of there size portions even half a burrito is still a killer to any diet.
I would suggest you take a look at
Chick Filet (sp?) – the grilled chicken sandwich with a side of fresh fruit rocks! Their fresh fruit cup is best I’ve found, anywhere.
Chipotle is not a good place. The one time I ate at one with my office mates we all got food poisoning bad. It is also owned by McDonald’s – another minus in my book.
Farmer Boy’s in southern California has a number of fairly healthy choices, cooked fresh to order (and no, I don’t work for them, I just eat there).
Panera’s! Enjoyed the sandwiches until I checked out the calories and Carbos in half tuna on whole wheat! Blown away and so disappointed! Only soup low in calories is the New England Clam Chowder; better check their break down; give them credit for sharing these facts; several of my favorites won’t.
At lunch today, I ate the biggest burrito I could get at Chipotle and enjoyed it thoughly. This evening I will go to a local steak house and have the
24 oz. grilled prime strip steak. You people are food facists, trying to tell us what we must eat. As long as this is a free country, I will make my own decisions as what I will eat. Fact of life: we are all dying from the day we are born, so enjoy life, I don’t need the food police to tell me what to eat.
Actually, McDonald’s sold Chipotle recently. It is nice to see two Colorado originated shops on the list…Go Colorado!
I don’t often enough check the nutritional info at these places; sometimes I just assume that since it’s a sandwich and soup it is probably better than burger and fries. I know cutting out mayo and cheese can help, but those cream based soups can be pretty fatty. Like a lot of you said, we can’t assume that everything at Panera or Chipotle is good for us.
There are so many people that spend allot of time eating out! I am so glad that they can afford it.
Why not just buy healthy and make some of these things yourself? It’s not hard. Eating out at some of these places can be decieving as far as fat and calories. I just have them make the sandwich with what I want or don’t, there has never been any arguement.
Chipotle is not, and was never, “owned” by McDonald’s. It started as an independent single store location in Denver and eventually partnered with McDonald’s to help them through their huge expansion.
Brian B—I think Mr. Jack Off went on this site so he could make himself feel that what he was eating was so great and healthy since it is on this list!
From an article printed in the December 2007 issue of Men’s Health, the numer 16 of America’s worst worst foods is the Chipotle Mexican Grill Chicken Burrito. It has 1,179 calories, 125 g of carbohydrates, 47 grams of fat, and 2,656 mg of sodium. To make it healthier order the burrito bowl and drop the rice and tortilla. Or you could saw the thing in 2 and have the other half for dinner.
Hey Brian and Just Me, the only reason I posted on this site, was because I received it as spam in my email from Money magazine, soliciting me to subscibe to it. Normally I wouldn’t bother posting on this type of site, but I see all you liberal Obama lovers, unable to make your own decisions about where and what to eat, or having any idea of the nutritional content of the food you eat. God save us from Big Brother telling us what to do with our lives, like all you sheep seem to need to be directed to do. You’re obviously public school graduates.
There is not one restaurant that has offerings that are all good for you. I still have to be conscious of what I am ordering. It’s a cop out to think we can leave it up to a restaurant to make us eat healthy- it is a choice, a decision, a concious effort that only I can make. Come on, people. I am in control, not the restaurant.
And I am an “Obama Lover”, but no one tells me what to do. I make my own choices…that is so narrow minded and presumptuous…uh, Jack
It’s amazing that this got politicized. America has high percentages of coronary and cancer cases in large part because of their dietary choices. Disease doesn’t play politics, it just weeds out the less informed and those that can’t look beyond satisfying their appetite for meat, fat, salt, sugar, and with a tolerance for eating foods with ingredients they can’t pronounce without a degree in chemistry.
I agree wit the point of these, and other health-concious websites is to give people options who want them (however poorly these lists are constructed). Who responds to spam email anyway and what does Money Magazine has to do with anything…and what does Obama has to do with this…who cares what this guy eats…this guy just wants to hear himself talk because no one else in his circle will listen. I will stop there because the rules state keep it clean and stay on the subject or we may delete your comment.
every restaurant you named just about was in the book”Eat this, not that” as the worst things to eat!
Man oh man, there’s one dumbcluck in every group isn’t there. Jack (Off), being able to comment on these web sites is like anything on the Internet…No one is holding a gun to your head saying YOU HAVE TO READ THIS AND FOLLOW IT TO A T. I received this link in my “Health” newsletter and am interested in eating healtier. Therefore, since I also like fast food I was interested in seeing where some of the best fast food places were located or which were considered some of the best. Bottom line, however, is that in life, EVERYTHING is a choice. I can choose to try one of these places or not(so can you). I can choose to read this article, or not (so can you). I can choose to do anything and everything and if there are consequences for any of it then it was still my choice (and yours). Why the anger at people. Why the judgement? Why the labels. I am an independent, not a Dem. or Rep. Does being one or the other make the people bad. No! What makes a person negative in my opinion is when they judge others w/o knowing them. If you don’t want to read these kinds of articles no one twisted your arm to click on the link. Why not practice what parents since the beginning of time have practiced…If you don’t have something pleasant to say then how about not saying anything at all. Thanks, and have a nice day!
I have enjoyed reading most of the comments and seeing how these fast food places really stack up. Again, bottom line is that it’s my choice to at at these places or not and whether the fat or salt or any other content is something I don’t mind eating or not. Reading the article and seeing the comments just allows me to learn and be informed enough to make my choices.
I agree with John. Chick-Fil-A does Rock. Their Fruit cup beats any fruit cup I have EVER had. Plus, they offer a great grilled chicken salad, as well as the grilled chicken wrap that is outstanding.
Also, Cheers to you Jules. That Jack Off guy sounds like quite the A#*Hole. How judgemental.
As with any restaurant, moderation and healthy choices are key. Re: Chipotle, I’ve lost 50 pounds over the last 8 months and I eat Chipotle an average of twice a week. You have to find a balance and Chipotle can be a healthy, nutritious option if you know how to make choices that are right for you.
Can’t believe Chipotle made the list – sort of ruins the credibility of the article. I diet about half the time and Chipotle is where I go on cheat days.
For any California people, I’m surprised El Pollo Loco didn’t make the list. A few years ago it was one of few fast-food chains endorsed by American Heart Association. Grilled chicken, salad and vegetable options, and fresh salsa bar.
This list is ridiculous. It is very irresponsible of Cooking Light to list these as “healthy places” List the nutritional information for specific items and maybe I could see some value. All you are doing with this information is disseminating incomplete and in many cases incorrect information. Cooking Light needs to start evolving to what people want! Knowledge…
Eat at home.
You didn’t even mention Chick-fil-A. They have a LOT of healthy options!!!!
I only wish i knew what these restaurants were… I have never heard of them or have seen them in any of the surrounding communities where I live or visited
Chipotle is very good and if you use some common sense you can have a nice meal that is healthy. This is not meant to be your daily fare. Try eating at home and let eating out be the treat
If you do your research, you’ll find that a lot of the stuff at all of those places is not healthy at all. Go to the websites to find the real nutrition facts and make decisions based on those. Healthy is all about making good decisions. Just be informed.
I’ll tell you this… if I wanted to go somewhere to eat healthy, these are not the places I would go.
Chipotle isn’t bad if you do it right. Get a “burrito bol” and make sure you have black beans and rice (a complete protein together), some meat (chicken or steak = protein), salsa (not unhealthy), lettuce … and if you’re going to splurge either corn or cheese or sour cream (I get the corn – I don’t like sour cream or cheese – ewww).
When you calculate the calories online it’s only about 600-700 calories for the whole bol, so … duh, eat half and save half for later – 2 meals. It won’t kill you.
As a frequent diner at Panera, I can tell you that if you don’t go to their site and check the fat and carb contents, you’re going over the cliff. Don’t even think about ordering the seemingly healthy tuna sandwich, any of the cream soups, or even a salad without getting the dressing on the side. Go to http://www.panerabread.com and click on the left side for Menu and Nutrition to get the bottom line.
Why not try to avoid huge chain restaraunts and opt for smaller local owned spots. Even if the fat or salt or whatever is low at some of these places, how far was it shipped to reach each chain. How much oil did it take to get that on your plate. More and more local restaraunts are opting to buy local and more importantly FRESH ingredients for their meals. I think the healthiest way of eating would be to use as many fresh ingredients as possible and really limit anything processed. Eating fresh and local helps your body, local economy, and saves energy which really will help us all. Eat up!
I have been accused of being judgemental, political etc. etc. Actually it is most of the posters who have commented on my comments, who are the judgemental individuals. I guess satire is hard for some of you to understand. If you really are concerned with the food being served at the chain fast food restaurants, you can ask for and receive a nutritional content listing at almost any of these chains (or sometimes their internet sites.) Even Micky D’s, Wendy’s and BK have items on their menus’ that are healty. You can also order in a way that results in healtier food (omit mayo, cheese, bacon etc.) (A question-why do all these places want to put mayo & cheese on their food? Personally, I detest mayo & cheese.) As for Obama and the nanny state, I live in the Chicago area (not the stinking city itself.) Unfortunately he has plans, well known here, to ration fats, sweets etc. with individual computerized ration cards for each person in the new nationalized health care system he will establish as President (it will be required for coverage.) Our freedoms are more rapidly being lost under the banner of protecting us from ourselves. Freedom!
The lists would be helpful except that 3/4 of the places listed do not exist in oklahoma.
Chick-fil-a has great billboards but beware high levels of sodium. I wrote and asked them what could be done and they said they just cannot reproduce the taste people like without the sodium. They did recommend their carrot raisin salad, the cole slaw and the icedream but none of the entrees are ok for someone (me) who is on a low sodium diet.
I LOVE Chipotle!!! I, like Danielle, have lost weight (and kept it off 2 years running) while I eat at Chipotle. I lead a very healthy lifestyle, am a personal trainer, but I enjoy the food there. Like everything else, moderation is key! No, I never order a burrito and eat the whole thing. My splurge there is some guacamole! I love it, and avacado is a good fat (again, in moderation). Also, my favorite dish at Noodles is the trio of shrimp in coconut curry soup with a green side salad with asian dressing. Enjoy life, just don’t kill yourself doing it!!!
You have missed my favorite: O’Naturals, based in Maine with locations in Maine, Massachusetts; a few franchisees and some corporate-based locations through the Compass Group. Unlike these others, they understand that INGREDIENTS MATTER. They are all natural and organic. No preservatives, chemicals and other evil stuff. And they are delicious. I have eaten and all others. All have good elements, and all have really evil menu items
Also not mentioned is “The Natural Cafe” – a chain located primarily in Ventura County, California.
Totally organic and fresh – you can eat out and not feel guilty. Soups, salads, chicken and fish entrees – as well as vegan choices.
I’m moving to Iraq! Who’s coming with me?
I can’t believe that Ruby’s made the list. That place is HORRIBLE for you. Their nutritional information is based on 1 serving, and each entree has 4 servings! Yikes! That is not a place that you want to go! Even the kids meals are high in calories (900 sometimes). No wonder Americans are fat! Everyone needs to be a little bit more informed about what they are eating! Try making a couple meals at home and stop eating out! Look at other countries and you will see that they eat homemade, nutritional meals everyday and are 1/2 the size we are. I’m moving to Europe! Plus, they have the National Health System!
I couldn’t believe that Chipotle was on your list! They use great fresh food but they load it with SALT. It’s awful.
Annette
Obviously, when they suggested Panera, they meant to mention to eat a HALF sandwich and HALF portioned soup or salad. There are a few half-decent choices on the list, until you realize its only for a half portion!
I understand that people should be able to eat as they please, it just stinks that MOST people choose to eat bad and make it harder on society. People die faster, they are lazy, etc. Fast Food has make the country weak buy causing our bodies and minds to perform at low levels.
No one mentioned MSG or the other additives like antifreeze, benzene or basically paint for colors. Ask your favorite chains about these items in their food.
Dunkin Donuts is not a bastion of safe eating but their new egg white and veggie flatbread sandwich is about 300 calories, costs under three bucks and is a fairly decent breakfast. Low cholesterol, too.
blah.
Now could we get some of these restaurants to work on sodium. If you are looking for lower sodium fare, stay home!!
Chipotle burritos can contain up to 1,200 calories in one serving… They may have healthy ingredients, but they can be a disaster for your body if you don’t regularly exercise. The same goes for Panera. All-Natural doesn’t mean “eat without regrets.”
Ya…don’t know about this list. I read that Chipotle is one of the most Unhealthiest, the calories and the carbs in the burritos could choke a horse. Plus you leave the place reaking of Onion everytime! While the food tastes good, wouldn’t say it’s all healthy. As common sense goes, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
Everybody get a life.
I think people miss the point with these kinds of lists. Any fast food place is going to have good and bad options. The places on this list just have a few more good options than most. The key is to not over indulge all the time. Try eating out less often. As far as chipotle goes they now have a salad option that is very good.
hey jack, your mad because your fat. your not wise. you know nothing about nutrition. please stop blogging your opinions about how mcdonalds is healthy….it just makes you look more stupid. honestly, grow up.
“Jack”…YOU sir, are very silly! But you are good for a laugh. A rationing card of sugar, sweets, fats, etc…what a GREAT IDEA!
Glad to know you are so tight with Barack, that you know this to be a true and factual statement!
Get REAL…have a terrific life in Iraq…but don’t wait for any of us to join you there. I’m sure you will fit right in.
My favorite is Panera Bread…I always get a half turkey sandwidh and French onion soup…in a bread bowl…there is so much bread, I can never eat it all…but it is a light, very tasty, enjoyable lunch.
Correction…sandwich…the bandaid on my broken nail got in the way…LOL
why not taco bell?! ;) jk, but like everyone else has already said, these places can be just as fattening as anywhere else.
I find it facinating that so many people on here are arguing with a panel of people who are actually studied in diet & nutrition. It leads me to wonder how many of them actually know what they are talking about and how many are the typical, fearful, gullible subject of the media-health-whimsy. The concerns over fat, salt, calories, carbs….pretty much all a fear-fad at some point in time. Interesting that no one criticized the fact that prcessed foods are unhealthy, no matter what they are paired with. Processed and bleached flours, sugars, etc., don’t seem to be mentioned by anyone. Why? Well….not the latest main stream fear-fad, just yet.
I’m pretty sure they weren’t trying to tell you that these places are the best a person could eat, but that they are better than others. So….stay home, broil yourself an organic veggie burger (no buns, of course), top it with some tofu, dip that bell pepper in some white bean organic hummus, and shoosh…..just….shoosh.
Jack Off
Go to Iraq alone and become a car bomb. Seems right up your alley. Better than that, get a life!
chill on the politics.
This was the funniest bunch of comments I have ever read! Love our America, you have the right to your comments and that is called FREEDOM! Eat what you want and enjoy it, no one lives forever!
What none of you here are aware of, apparently, is that calories and fat content aren’t the determining factor on the health of fast, or any other, foods.
Sodium content, as mentioned, is important. However, most, if not all, fast food restaurants use industrial/processed ingredients, which is the real reason for diabetes, heart disease and other health problems that were non-existent prior to the 20th century.
Chemical additives, foods processed with harmful chemicals, growth hormones, CORN SYRUP, MSG, pesticides, etc. should be your focus as to whether something is good for you or not. I would say at least 95% of restaurants, fast food or otherwise, use industrial ingredients in their food.
The best food for you is organic/raw and locally grown, the way it was done prior to the 20th century.
There’s a lot of info out there if you want to educate yourself and be healthy.
BTW, weight loss doesn’t necessarily mean you’re healthy. Skinny people can be just as unhealthy.
Yummy
I do agree with many of the comments. We must think of this though…when we cook healthier options at our homes, we must pay attention to what we use in making low fat, low calorie, low sodium, etc. meals. We all must use this same thought process when ordering at any restaurant this is why I absolutely love Panera. They always will provide me with their nutritional information for their items and it has always been so organized and easy to comprehend. I like it how they don’t try to hide anything and the natural pb sandwich that they offer for kids with the organic milks make me feel even more comfortable with a child eating there. Although I haven’t tried too many of the other choices. I will stick with Panera and just make smart choices.
Hi guys, we have a fast food restaurant back in the UK called “Squirrels” and they have been voted the most healthiest food chain ever!!! Squirrel happens to be the leanest meat on earth. Men’s Health recently voted it as the all time greatest super food, just behind Tofu. Anyway, you can it cooked any way you like, grilled, fried, poached, broiled the variety is endless. Anyway, it doesnt matter how much you each because I like to wash it down with one of their super slimming shakes, each one contains, double cream, full milk chocolate, vanilla ice cream and raspberry sauce and a gramme of ampethamine. The weight simply falls off.
to JACK, I find this amusing, that u would use the “eat healthy blog” to share u’re voting choice….myself, my children, would have a hard time w/a fast food menu,( do not eat out much, we cook) we would not pay attention to the calorie count….we would simply choose our favs…..salads, burgers, fried CHEESE, wat ever, we live good, eat good and look good, and in turn will vote GOOD, GEAUX OBAMA
I am not sure what you consider “healthy” Some of these are not healthy in my opinion. Natural food choices are a healthier option. My vote is for Salad Creations. A quick serve restaurant with salads, wraps, soups, and smoothies. This is what I consider healthy.
I have gotten food poisoning at Chipotle twice…My husband and I went there and I got very sick to my stomack after…then I gave it another chance and guess what…. sick again :S
We are quickly approaching 100,000,000 old folks in our country and these old folks have difficult stomachs that can not handle the spicy menus and many have serious eating disorders. Resturants; both sit down and fast need foods that are safe for those that suffer from wheat issues. Simple foods like apple sauce, lite baked fish without spices and simple ways to hold the sauces and not put the green flakes on every meal served. NO fried foods.
They should have looked into UFood Grill, a healthy restaurant much better than the ones above. They have a great variety with excellent flavor.
My Grandmother gave me the best eating advice I’ve ever received when I was young: “everything in moderation”. Also, most of the people making comments need to stop riding their high-horse everywhere and get some exercise. Engaging in fitness activities will give you the opportunity to not worry (as much) about what you eat. Also, stop comparing some of the “natural” foods mention as healthy to McDonalds which is almost all “processed”; there is a HUGE difference.
Wow, it’s pretty amazing at all of the misinformation floating around out there. Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans for a reason – high fat, high cholesterol diets (and little or no exercise). As Americans, we grossly overeat, consuming (on average) double and, sometimes, even triple our necessary caloric intake. I love Chipotle, but it is obvious from the sheer size of their burritos that it is way too much food. As a once every couple of weeks treat, it is good, but not as part of an everyday diet. And Jack is right – we do live in a free country and he is certainly allowed to eat whatever he wants. I’m not sure what Obama has to do with it. I hope Jack’s inevitable bypass surgery and subsequent recovery is relatively quick and painless (even if he is a jerk!).
I think what needs to be remembered is that just about every restaurant has a good choice or a horrible choice. You can go to your local grocery store and walk out with a bag of healthy item or a bag of fatty, calorie packed junk. Use common sense and educate yourself on good eating.
If you are worried about eating healthy than do some reading and prepare your own meals. If you eat a healthy diet 90 percent of the time and do some good physical activity than you can enjoy any resteraunt you want in moderation.
SUBWAY IS THE BEST
Thank You John! I work at a mall, I swear by chik-fil-a! I agree that this article may simply be a sales act. Take out of one pocket, put in the other.
What about Tropical Smoothie Cafe? It truly is a healthy place to eat. Of course for those like me who still eat what they want, Tropical Smoothie also has dessert smoothies… like the Mocha Madness smoothie made with Ghiradelli chocolate! The mojority of their menu is low fat wraps, salads, sandwiches and smoothies. If you haven’t been to one… check it out!! For those who have, you kno what I am talking about!!! mmm mmm good!
I’m shocked Evos wasn’t mentioned on this list. They don’t have loads of locations yet, but they are expanding. Fantastic healthy food. I love Panera but I do think Evos is better.
Want to live the truly healthy lifestyle. Go Vegan. Simple as that. But, then good luck eating at any “fast food” place. And now we’ll have posts about how hard it is to give up meet, or cheese. It’s called willpower and a little knowledge about factory farming to keep you on track.
A 1200 calorie burrito from Chipotle is not healthy, in my book. No preservatives, organic, free-range chicken…that’s all wonderful, but seriously, 1200 calories?!?
Oh my goodness. Technically there is no such thing as a “healthy” resturant, but-There are healthy options that “you” choose.. If you go to Mcdonalds and order a big mac, greasy french fries and a super sized coke.. Uh ya your gonna rack up you calorie count, but if you order lets say a grilled chicken sandwitch, and maybe a diet coke or better a water. The calories go down, I’m not saying that it’s totaly healthy, but it’s a better option. And all these resturants have these options, it’s just up to you what you decide.. And really, try eating at home more. Go out to eat like maybe once a week or on the weekends but still try to make better choices. that’s what we do.. And also if all you do is worry how much calories you are taking in while you are eating that fat Chipotle burrito, of course you are gonna gain weight..And that’s because you are stressing too much about it.. And you will gain. There are countless fitness individuals that say you are entiled to at least one or two cheat days… And that means that..Eat what you want, but use common sense in doing so..
And please, I do believe that everyone is entitled to their comments, and someone is just wanting to share something. Do we really need to slam people. This all about information. You can use it or not..And really this is about peoples health, not who wants who in the white house..
For those of you that can afford to still eat out good for you. I choose to plant and harvest my own vegetables buy my own meats and cook everything myself thus saving tons of MONEY and no worries about food poisioning,unhealthy additives,etc.
See you guys on the Riviera!
Being aware of what you put in your mouth is still the #1 way to eat healthy, I gotta suggest the Asian Salad at McDonalds with slim-on-the-calories asian dressing, you DO have to choose to have it with Grilled Chicken and NOT Fried Chicken to get the most bang for your buck. If you havent tried it give it a whirl! You will be VERY surprised.
Where’s Jack???
Funny, I wonder if this article was paid for by some of these companies. You’d be better off eating a grilled chicken sandwich and small fry at BK then you would eating a sandwich and soup at Panera…and Chipolte is worse….odd
We LOVE Chipotle! I bet that most of our parents (and grandparents)never went out to eat with a calorie counter. A little bit of exercise and a Chipotle bowl once in a while is just fine. Enjoy life! Agree with other that a few places a missing from the list.
Please tell me there were not any nutrional experts on your panel…terrible ranking
Guess he took Helen’s advice and became a car bomb in Iraq! hahaha
Im gonna go get a double whopper with cheese and bacon, a king size fry and a dr. pepper and then Im gonna have a pint of ice cream followed up by a six pack of guinness and a pack of marlboros.
this was the funniest blogs i have ever read…all of this over healthy fast food restaurants…i have my degree in culinary arts and we never took nutrition this serious that we would sling so much mud…hilarious..woo..god bless america
oh by the way…poor amber…oklahoma doesn’t has have any of these chains…what are you guys eating? and as far as the food poisoning at chipotle is happens because the food isn’t at the correct temp.
Anybody ever hear of Just Salad? Great place and very healthy!
tell em balmer Dee!!
Thanks for all the NON-Advise. I’ve enjoyed reading all the rhetoric being spewed by most of these would-be hacks. Lighten up and enjoy life – or you might end up with an ulcer.
If you can be a Vegan – Good For You. However, for how many centuries have people been eating Meat and Potatoes? With tons of gravy… and still live past 80 years….
The best advice I’ve gleaned from these posts is the age-old saying: Everything in Moderation.
At 85 – let me testify that cal counting, organic (read the fine print), and every other carb. nonsense is not necessary. I’ve eaten what I want – When I want and haven’t suffered for it.
Again MODERATION is the Key. If you’re lazy and don’t exercise, then eat less. If you’re energetic and going all the time – don’t worry about it.
Anyone remember Euell Gibbons? He was a Organic – Health Food promoter who died at an early age. Did “Health Foods” really help? Look at George Burns, he lived a very long life and smoked.
All I can add to this is something I heard from either TLC, HGTV or the Food Channel:
Live’s too short to eat bad food and drink bad wine.
Chipotle is AWESOME and glad to see it finally gets the recognition it deserves…people just don’t know how to eat at it…if you workout its great for you and don’t splurge when you eat it…pick the right options on your burrito and your diet will be just fine everyone….Go Chipotle!!!
You Have to try Energy Kitchen they should be on the list—- Along with Desert Moon
The best thing America could do—and it is quick and easy—is stop drinking ANYTHING with sugar in it. Water, water, everywhere! That alone would help so many folks.
Even salads and wraps are sometimes loaded with fat, calories and tons of salt. If you want to eat healthy, stay home. Stay informed about the choices you make, and treat yourself once in a while. And remember to make time each day for excercise. That’s it.
CRAZY!!! Eat what you want, work out, and go run your butt off. Portion size, salt in the rice, MSG,calories, carbos, boo hoo hoo!!! What a bunch of whimps. Kids and people are fat because they don’t exercise. Don’t blame it on the food. No you can’t eat double whoppers daily, but don’t be lazy either. Climb a mountain, get a bike, dirt motorcycle, or swim in the ocean, then go eat a steak and drink all the beer you want.
It is a big misconception that Chipotle is “healthy”.If you go to their website their is a nutrional link and if you get anything in a tortilla you are looking at well over 1000 calories. In addition as someone mention on a post they use an ongodly amount of salt in their meat cooking (chicken and steak). It can be healthy, but not as much a one thinks.
Bottom line…do your research. The information provided was not meant to be a complete list of healthy options it was only a brief description. If you are serious about losing weight or maintaining a healthy lifestyle it takes work. Education is part of that work. So is exercise and proper self-care. Stress can be one of the biggest sabotages for a healthy lifestyle. So don’t just focus on the scale. Live healthy. If you have restaurants you go to regularly check their websites or email them for nutrition information. If you can’t do it alone find a buddy or see if your health care provider covers a nutritionist. Find what works for you and go with it. Good luck to those of you working on a better you…
I am terribly surprised at this turn of events in some of the Restaurant selection we have going on here. Places like Chipotle, Macaroni Grill and Denny’s. I have come to the conclusion that you have to rely on your own smarts, rather than depend upon a bunch of ’so called experts’. Not so long ago it was said that the same burrito at Chipotle was loaded with so much calories, now it’s okay, wow!
I didn’t read in this article that it is a list of low fat, low calorie food. rather a list of restaurants that serve fresh, whole(not processed)food and lots of vegitables. That dosen’t mean their menu choices come with out fat and high sodium.
Go ahead you vegans and eat your tofu and carrot sticks. It’s a free country (until Obama become President)What happens after the Neo Marxists and other Socialists take over is anyone’s guess. Al Bore will tell you than eating meat is leaving too large of a carbon footprint.
The top two chains listed are Colorado based. Colorado was recently ranked number one for having the fittest residents. Think there is a correlation?
I eat at Panera at least twice a week because of the healthy foods that are available. You can go to their website and see the nutritional value of their different menu items. I take my own salad dressing and usually order thr greek salas or one of their other healthy salads. As for eating out-I would much rather eat out than waste money at the grocery store. I usually end up throwing away half of what I buy at the grocery store.
where can we find the full list
where can we find the full list
All I have read on the comments is two extremes. I ate cheesecake and flan for breakfast (and a whole mess of it too). The one thing I haven’t heard is anything about working out. That is why I can eat flan and cheesecake for breakfast, because I plan to burn about 2000 calories or so this afternoon working out. You can eat anything you want, just work out and make sure you get enough water and protein.
It is very sad that all these so called experts can’t even agree on what is healthy and what is not. I am reading eat this not that. basically everything here that they say is healthy. Eat this not that says the oposite. I dont know who to believe anymore. I just eat less and excercise more. Jack off must weigh 300lbs
I will have to agree with EagleEye. People are fat becuase they do not exercise. They eat everything and anything, when they want. Don’t get me wrong I like eating, but I eat in moderation. Since I’m in the Military it was forced upon me. And I thank the Military for doing that, because if it was not forced upon me, I would probably be 220lbs or more. The bottom line is eat in moderations, and exercise. It is good for you. And all you parents that blame the fast food industry for making your kids fat. Your stupid, you are making your kids fat by not limiting what they eat.
GO eagleEYE… sorry I didn’t read your comment before I posted mine
Chipotle food sits in pan sometimes for hours before you buy it. The food is cold and who knows what kind of bacteria is growing in there.If you want mexican food go to a place that cooks the food fresh in front of you.
Way to go stormy, that sounds more sensible.
I’m not sure I agree with having Chipotle on this list. Don’t get me wrong…I absolutely LOVE Chipotle. However, if you read the book/go on the website for “Eat this, not that”, they have Chipotle on there. Not saying that you shouldn’t eat there, but they say a chicken burrito with everything except lettuce is over 1,000 calories. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to eat one thing in which one item equals more than half my caloric intake for they day. What do you think?
Amy I think that is very smart, you know why would you want to bite into that, which equals to all the meals you would normally eat in a single day.
Chipotle, healthy? If by healthy you mean 65% of your daily saturated fat and 90% of your daily sodium, then yes, it’s extremely healthy.
I get tired of hearing people talk eat healthy, buy organic, my diet is not working, etc. I have long been an athlete, a work out maniac and I can tell you right now that whatever you eat makes no real difference unless you get off of your behind and exercise. Also we would love to eat organic, or eat at one of these healthier places to eat, but what middle income or low income person can afford it! Especially if you have to buy for a family. I can not. I try to rarely buy fast food and I work out every day, that is my strategy and it works.
I totally Disagree! Chipotle’s food is full of salt and Sugar wich is a big reason people coming back! Sugar is addictive. Cosi lettuce is almost always rottten…Panera Bread is not the cleaniest place…the cooks are pretty sloppy and from each place I have received a food virus! Do some more detailed research!
Chipotle uses great ingredients and provides choices that let customers eat what’s right for them. More places should do the same.
Last week i read an article stating that “chipotle” was 1 of the worst places to eat, and not is healthy..please get it together people…
I totally disagree! Chipotle food is full of salt and sugar which is probaly why people keep coming back. Cosi lettuce is almost always rotten and Panera bread is not the most sanitary place. The cooks are a bit sloppy and from each place I got a stomach virus!
Quite certain that Chipotle is no longer owned by MacDonalds. Also, most of the pork is raised in a very healthy environment. They are also gradually phasing in organic veggies and use dairy products not laden with growth hormone. Aside from the burrito, all of the meat and veggies are quite good for you. Since when is guacamole bad for you? Saturated fats are not the demons people make them out to be.
CHIPOTLE: I LOVE IT. IT IS REAL FOOD AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT IT IS ACTUALLY REAL MEXICAN FOOD, NOT THE MAKE BELIEVE ONE. THAT FOR ALL YOU TACO BELLERS.
What is wrong with you people. Live, love, eat, laugh. EVERYTHING IN MODERATION – it is jusst that simple. Stop being a bunch of neurotics, and concentrate on what is important to concentrate on in life. Spend quality time with loved ones. Take pride in your work / endeavors. Work on happy marriages. Everything else will take care of itself.
Great posts, everyone! Lots of opinions – which is what I LOVE about a format like this. As I look through the comments, I’m with Enrique. Pay attention, do things in moderation, live life and ENJOY it! PS- Chipotle is the BOMB! The review speaks more of the healthy ingredients than the calories. For me, I’ll have a Burrito Bol and enjoy it… then do some type of exercise I enjoy and work it off. Life is Good!
Jack. I think I love you. Couldnt agree with you more, as a matter of fact, I think that I will join you in that steak dinner tonight (I’ll order the largest cut of Prime Rib) and also in Iraq. And I don’t care if you’re fat.
I love Chipotle as much as anybody, but I find it interesting that a couple months ago on the Today show, which I believe is affiliated to this site, Chipotle was criticized for the fact that their burritos are something around a thousand calories (they also equated this to eating umpteen Krispy Kreme donuts). And Panera repeatedly makes “least healthy” lists for chain restaurants. I think more detail is needed here as to which items (and which ingredient omissions or substitutions to these items) led these restaurants to be labeled as “healthy.”
PANERA! HEALTHY? Please, give me a break. The salads are healthy if you don’t add the fattening and sugar laden dressing. I recently found out that my favorite sandwich (turkey & artichoke) carries a whopping 1,000 calories. Okay, so I’ll enjoy 1/2 for 500 calories. Let’s not even glance toward the bakery counter that sits a few feet from the “healthy food.” I guess it’s better than hormone fed beef by-product patties (hooves and snouts), but let’s not kid ourselves. Just because it isn’t horrible for you doesn’t mean it is “healthy.”
Most of Chipotle’s burritos have over a thousand calories that’s more than half your daily intake. Check “CalorieKing.com” How is that healthy? Maybe if you spilt it among 5 friends.
I like to eat at various Subway restaurants. Among my favorites are the Mini-Subs (about four inches long) with lettuce, onions, green peppers, turkey and American cheese. Afterwards, I’ll have a soft serve at a nearby Dairy Queen. If the nutritional data is correct, that comes under 400 calories.
Panera would be great if they hired employees that had half a brain. I’ve only been to one or two Panera restaurants where my order didn’t get screwed up. The salads would be great as well, if they didn’t come with 2 or 3 rotting lettuce pieces everytime. Plus I love how they offer you a chunk of bread to go with your bread bowl and sandwich. Talk about Carb-a-load. I’d rather eat a giant bowl of fettucine alfredo and then go run a marathon!
Did I say marathon? I meant 7-mile race.
Having had a quad bypass, and working to keep my cholesterol counts down, I require a low-fat diet. The only place I saw this given consideration was a restaurant that advertises, “Wherever you go, there we are.” I live in rural MN. That chains only locations in the entire state are in downtown Minneapolis. Your list includes many restaurants that have nothing to offer someone on a low-fat diet. I know, as I’ve walked in to their locations, researched their menus, and walked out. Healthy? None of them fit my diet requirements.
its amazing how the food become political issue
I have to say, I enjoy reading Jack Off’s comments. He seems to be the only person with a sense of humor.
You are more than a tad off when you say Panera has great options for low fat, low calorie, low sodium, soups. Everyone of them has in excess of 700 mg of sodium per serving. Disgusting.
Cheers to you, Jack OFF! I’m glad to see not everyone is going insane and becoming a liberal Obama lover! Oh and yay for Chipotle, steak and fatty foods. Life is short. Enjoy it. Liberal or not.
Hambruguesas del Rio in Nvo Laredo Tamaulipas
I question why you put only 3 little knowns in stead of the major fast foods, such as Quiznos, Subway, Taco Bell, Burger King etc. They are the group most visited ! How do they rate ?
I read the comment Maragret left and I was very botherd by it, I do feel bad that she got sick after eating at Chipotle, Never Happened to me and I eat Chipotle atleast 4 time per week for about 5 yrs now and NEVER Got Sick, But Just to clear something up that Maragret Said, Chipotle is NOT owned by Mcdonalds, huge misconception that many people have, Chipotle is a Independently owned Corperation.
We all need to get off the computer, go back to work or get out and walk. Eat in moderation.!!!
-What restaurant is 100% healthy? which restaurants are 100% ,never healthy to eat at? Its up to the individual on whether its going to be healthy or not. I just hate how people accuse Micky D’s for making them fat. REALLY? I mean really McDonalds made you fat?? Alot of people think Subway is a “healthy” place to eat at, since “Jared” lost so much weight,,, but did he just eat at subway and magically lost weight? No he walked there… aka exercise! And i still believe that you could eat McDonalds and be “healthier” then so “healthy” Subway….A Filet-O-Fish 380 cal. 18g fat 3.5 sat fat 40mg cholesterol 640mg sodium compared to Subways’ 5 dollar footlong Subway Club 640 cal. 12g fat 0 trans fat 65mg choleterol and 2580mg sodium….Like I said it up to what YOU CHOOSE.
I live in Colorado and yea Chipolte is great as they do use hormone and intbiotic free products BUT you definately have to watch the calories/fat. I must agree that this article is a poor representation of the truth. I eat there occassionaly and have them back way off on cheese/sour cream etc….I love to heat healthy foods so limiting this stuff never feels like deprivation to me. In my book most of this stuff is common sense. I have to agree with Jack (off) about the Obama stuff. He speaks the truth and it is scary. I am a Chef and follow the food industry carefully on all levels. Did you guys know that California recently passed a law banning any New fast food restaurant from coming into some of the poorer L.A. neighborhoods in an attempt to control people’s diets? What the heck is the government doing deciding what you can eat where? Also, Chicago banned the selling of Froi Gras, what’s next beef? Crazy.
Kristyn
A comment for Jack Off – GO OBAMA :)
I agree with everybody that says these restaurants are no good. The menus at most of these places are awful. But the key thing about this article is CHOICES. The article is only offering up some healthy alternatives. And let’s face it, NOBODY goes to Chipotle to eat healthy. Everywhere you eat (including places like McDonald’s and Burger King) offer very healthy alternatives! It’s up to you to make the right decisions. Educate yourselves on what is/isn’t healthy and base your decisions on that knowledge!
Cosi food is salty and too much cheese on their pizza–can’t be that healthy.
yall r a buncha goofy slut bags that have gunts foopa and peniculas
I’ll stick with meat (steak) and potatoes anytime. I want to enjoy life. I don’t need to count calories since I’ve been trying to gain weight for years and it doesn’t happen no matter what I eat.
I am a FAN JACKOFF!!! Finally somebody speaks the trugh about Obama. Everyone sat there typing telling you off, missing the interesting FACTS you brought up: (1)You LIVE in CHICAGO, (2)Obama is from Chicago! (3)Obama “telling” people what they can and cannot eat. (4)The government should not tell people what they should and should not put in their mouths.
I like Obama, don’t get me wrong the guy is charasmatic, good looking, but does that give the right to tell me what I can or cannot eat? No, we’re not in Cuba, this is America, and if America wants to be in shape each of have that choice, the choice to buy and make our own food, eat out, a combination of both, moderation, ro gluttany, its our choice (but I do hope you use your better judgement; healthy is better).
Lastly, fight facts with facts. Telling JackOff “off” is just your opinion, not a fact. No I don’t want to move to Iraq, but if America allows politicians to tell us what and how of we can eat, I might change my mind, because that’s where it all starts, first you give em’ an inch then they take take a foot (lol)
In conclusion, I agree this website is sooo PR for these “chains”, (notice that/not a coincidence).
I don’t think you have to rate these restaurants as one of the healthiest in America. I believe that everything should come in moderation. It all depends on how the individual consume their food intake. There are still lots of franchise restaurants in the whole of the U.S.A that can be rated far better than these you have rated.
These is baloney !!!
One last thing, I love how everyone from Chicago has nothing positive to say about Obama, I mean all of Hollywood is here ranting and raving about this guy and the second someone FROM CHICAGO says the truthfacts not opinion, (which is something mostly negative about him), people go insane!!!
If people from CHICAGO are going against OBAMA who am I to tell them they are wrong…?
But be healthy, enjoy fats in moderation, because evrryone loves icecream ;)
Do you people have nothing better to do with your day?
nope nothing better, we’re just like you ;) Oh, no! We’re all the same!!! AHHHHHH!
Nope, we’re just like you (lol)
Hey GetInformed — You rock! We Chicagoans aren’t living with our head buried in CA sand.
And yes — everything in moderation is key.
I did not know Obama was telling people what and what not to eat! Bottom line if you want steak eat steak. We all have to die one day, some just want to live longer than others and strive to do so. But to say that Obama is telling people what to eat and not to eat is crazy.
My local Chipotle chain uses salt like I use crack, which is to say, a lot. Other than that the food has always been fresh and good. Jessica likes it, and she doesn’t use crack. Maybe you all should listen to her instead….
Why are we talking about the food who cares. if you eat good food it will the healthy but if you eat crap like pure sugar then it is nonhealthy, and stop fighting about OBAMA ethier way people are goingt o hate the president and i do not care about any ones opinion
I have to say that people really get worked up over such a “little” topic! There are greater things in life to get so worked up about (i.e. finding a cure for cancer, the homeless in America, etc). We all know how to be healthy – eat in moderation and EXERCISE!!!!
Helen – are you having a bad day? I’m not saying that I agree with Jack (off), but telling him to go be a “car bomb?” Isn’t that going a little over board. Have a drink and relax – its just a blog!
The only way Chipotle can be considered healthy is if you take out the obvious like cheese, sour cream and guac, but als get rid of the tortilla. That is probably 300 calories by itself and it is all carbs.
Jack Off– You are a Moron. If you plan on helping the United States regain stability and sustainablity, you might want to look at the facts one more time. Republicans are so religious and narrow-minded and rich. Stop being so vain and care about other people for once- I’m independent and I can see that you have no idea about politics or anything in general. I love Chipotle-period.
no it is ok to vocie ur opinion and if they think he should be a car bomb then o well good for them i am going to order some chinese food
Jack Off– You are a Moron. If you plan on helping the United States regain stability and sustainablity, you might want to look at the facts one more time. Republicans are so religious and narrow-minded and rich. Stop being so vain and care about other people for once- I’m independent and I can see that you have no idea about politics or anything in general. I love Chipotle-period.
None of these places are healthy unless you get straight veggies with no dressing, sauce, etc. Perhaps the Noodles&Co is decent, but fast food is bad for a reason. Get over it people, you are reading this article with a cynical outlook b/c most of your are not fast food fans to begin with.
FACT CHECK: McDonald’s plans to reduce ownership of Chipotle Mexican Grill http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail/4440581-1.html
Eat what you want and die like a man.
who is from colorado
If Obama has aplan to cut the fat down in some of the fast food places I would support it. You think maybe……just maybe the healthcare costs in this country would go down……if we took better care of ourselves. I just left the gym, stopped eating like a pig, and my health insurance just SKYROCKETTED!!!!
So, Jackoff and others if you want to eat like pigs!!! do it but I don’t want to PAY FOR IT!!!!
chipotle for lunch – chicken, black, sour cream, lettuce no cheese. Corn and medium sauce… will probably drink 2 lemonades with ice tea mix. 2-3 times a week, lost about 40 lbs this year even with those portions. Get off the couch and stay away from these computers. Try Wii Fitness – although the exercises system is lame, you will find the concept of the program enlightening and helpful. It all starts with good posture and balance – gets you intune with your body, then your mind, and the food/wieght issues will follow. Paint a room instead of sitting in one….
LOL…everyone slams food chains for portion sizes, but in this time of economic crisis…I want more for my money. If places want to give more food for the money…let them. All of you health conscious people talking about how Chipotle has high fat and salt items and has large portions…lol. Either don’t buy food there or load up on the meat and lettuce and salsa and let it be.
This is to Jack. I don’t see anywhere that says you have to eat healthy. Hope you don’t have kids, cuz they will probably graduate and get married, have kids without you. Nobody says you have to extend your life by eating healthy…..
Ummmm… Obama08 you are not independent, sorry but you’re not. J/O is not a moron, or maybe he is but at least he has facts, yours is just an opinion, and no not all Republicans are like that, you watch way too much TV obviously, or else you meet some really cool younger Republicans, who like you are human, and rational. Exercise, eat in moderation, and there’s nothing wrong with being fat or skinny, curvey or curveless, as long as you ae happy in your own skin however much it there is or isn’t. Do what works for you, and stop calling J/O a moron, bust out with facts– Ciao! From CA
Never heard of any of the places listed!
i have a fact for u ur a moron
LOL…Chipotle food is so heavy that it takes so much energy for your stomach to digest the food. And that puts you to sleep while your working, studying, or in school. Can you beleive the amount of rice, sour cream, and cheese they put in that one burrito? Also the tortilla itself is high in starch since it is made out of corn. Who ever ranked these restaurants is capable of saying that McDonalds is the most healthiest place to eat in the entire for 3 meals. And fat people live healthier and longer. I guess the people who ranked this need to go to nutrition school or need to find a better job so they don’t have to bring out stupidity.
Again, VERY misleading headline. Money talks.
JMAC, are you saying that you would support it because unless the government tells what to and not to put in your mouth you would not be able to make your own choice? That’s weird. I am not stuffing my face like a pig her in CA and, what do you know I am making that choice on my own, go figure.
I agree with a comment made earlier, its not the food its the people, and if we give the government the power to control us and decide for us that sounds worse than being a republican, it sounds like communism.
JMAC,
Obama is telling people what to eat and not eat…all the Dems are. That’s not opinion but fact. PETA’s behind a ton of it…as for healthcare, NOPE as to premiums going down based on health, it’s linked to the number of unisured legal and illegal people living in this country. Finally, I am a Rep but I am not rich or righteous, just informed. Don’t stereotype us. As of today though we still have the right to choose, so let’s celebrate that.
Getinformed plz getout
To THE BEST: Opinion, not FACT. Call me what you want but its just gibberish. Taking it to personal becasue you got poned! (lol)
i got what ithink you need to learn facts and some real words
I don’t know how an article on restaurants turned into a political mud slinging fight. Crazy world! The person that used the word moderation is correct. You should use this article as a guide not the gospel. I was thrilled to see Cosi mentioned. The company is very keen on flavorful and tasty food without making you feel like grease is clogging your arteries.
The term “authentic” when paired with “Mexican” is synonymous with “tasteless” in any food description. In the case of Chipotle (and all other “authentic” labeled restaurants I have been to) if you are going to kill off the flavor by removing fat (lard in particular)- then you need to respond with normal-to-moderate amounts of spice. Unfortunately their spice-to-item rationing is far south of a dash in all entrees I have tried. Strongly suggest you bring your own homemade salsa – with a kick to mask the the off flavors they serve.
Thank you KRISTYN, I totally agree, they stereotype us, call us names, tell to leave, opinion, opinion, opinion… thanks for giving us a better reputation!
i hate peta and everything is an opinion nothing is fact
This is ridiculous. Id say that all of you have no lives but Im having a great time reading this. Obama IS a socialist and exercise IS the key here. Case closed.
-Obama08 “Republicans are so religious and narrow-minded and rich.” is that not being NARROW-MINDED about Republicans?!?!??! hypocrite
You can’t just eat however you want and expect to just work it all out. That’s not good for the body because you will not maximize your body’s potential by heavy consumption and lots of exercise. The body needs a good balance of food and excersise.
I second that Tim! Waaaay too much FUN!
To all those who like to call others socielist – What is the government doing to the market right now?
I think the jack off who is sharing his “haterade” with everyone probably is the biggest liar on the planet (in real life he’s about 300 lbs.). So if people choose to take ADVICE from websites that state these places are good to eat … so be it. If people choose to not listen and find their own choice of healthy eating … so be it. If you want to be the biggest heffer on the planet … so be it. No need to judge anyone for they choose or not choose … Obama or Mc Cain … you’re still gonna be the same evil obese or evil thin person you were before you stuffed that burrito in your mouth!!
The reason Chipotle is healthy has absolutely nothing at all to do with calories. It has to do with the fact that everything is naturally raised! Have you ever seen a chicken treated with antibiotics? That is NOT healthy! You are eating that and giving it to your children??? Really? Chipotle has all natural meat! That means that your children are not eating antibiotics from the huge chickens. Also, they are naturally raised which means they are not stuck in those tiny pens where they have no room to roam. Not to mention, both beans are organic, the sour cream and cheese is rBGH free and for those who don’t know rBGH is a nasty growth hormone that you are also feeding to your children. Did you know rBGH is not even legal in a lot of other contries? It is such a good thing that Chipolte has rBGH free dairy. No one said there were not a lot of calories in any tortilla, sour cream and cheese that you eat, but Chipotle is VERY healthy because of their fresh raw ingredients. Seriously, think about all the bad stuff in food that Chipotle does not use! Anyone who judges a restaurant’s healthiness strictly on calories does not know how to eat healthy!
You can eat what you want, but trust me once you start working out, you’ll feel it in your pores and throughtout your body which will in turn make you question more what you want to put in your mouth. But more importantly, its not what you eat, its who makes what you eat. As consumers we should demand that chains, restaurants, etc, buy their food from reputable farmers, not the ones who treat the animals inhumanely, Im not a vegitarian, but that doesn’t mean I want to get mad cow because bad farmers are too cheap. Buy from the farmers who take pride in their work, not their profit.
The reason Chipotle is healthy has absolutely nothing at all to do with calories. It has to do with the fact that everything is naturally raised! Have you ever seen a chicken treated with antibiotics? That is NOT healthy! You are eating that and giving it to your children??? Really? Chipotle has all natural meat! That means that your children are not eating antibiotics from the huge chickens. Also, they are humanly raised which means they are not stuck in those small pens with no room to rome. Not to mention, both beans are organic, the sour cream and cheese is rBGH free and for those who don’t know rBGH is a nasty growth hormone that you are also feeding to your children. Did you know that rBGH is illegal in most other countries? It is such a good thing that Chipotle does not use rBGH. No one said there were not a lot of calories in any tortilla, sour cream, or cheese that you eat, but Chipotle is VERY healthy because of their fresh raw ingredients. Seriously, think about all the bad stuff in food that Chipotle does not use! Anyone who judges a restaurant’s healthiness strictly on calories does not know how to eat healthy!
Getinformed
I am not saying that the government should tell you what or what not to put in your mouth (it’s your mouth. It just seems like we want gov’t to come in when it’s convenient for us but to stay out when its convenient for others. When people aren’t taking responsibility for their own actions, then The gov’t should steps in putting them back on the right track. I can’t tell a smoker not to smoke……..but don’t try to sue the insurance company for not treating you for lung cancer. I can’t tell people to eat right, but don’t try to sue the fast food rest. for giving you the food or sue the insurance comp. for an illness you brought on yourself.
Some of you guys are missing the point completely when you say that Chipotle should not be considered healthy. This article isn’t really about eating healthy. It’s really about eating the healthiest if you decided to eat at a fast food restaurant. Home cooked meals are ALWAYS THE BEST OPTION. Since some have disputed what the writer said about Chipotle, that should give everyone an idea of just how bad the rest of the fast food restaurants(Jack-n-the-Box and McDonalds,etc.) really are!!! LOL!!
Right on JMAC, we all need to take responsibility for ourselves. I love the direction this blog has taken. Thank god I work for myself and today is slow!
With all the funcides, pesticides, and artificial fertilizer dumped on our food I’m afraid to even eat…
It should say fungicides. There is a real problem with the way farmers farm in the US
Krystin
Obama nor the Dems are telling people what to eat. If you want to eat a ham sandwich or a sloppy joe trust me you will not have to hide in some back alley to do so. Eveyone at PETA isn’t a vegetarian. I am not stereotyping anyone. Healthcare would go down if everyone just el and em. there would be less trips to the doctor and less prescriptions.
First off, politics should never have gotten on this blog (Jack) next I agree with the people that have stated exercise and MODERATION of portions is the key to healthy weight loss/maintenance. I have lost 30lbs over 9 months and still eat everything I want. Good day to you all and God bless you.
What a bunch of fat whiners. Chipolte IS healthy. It offers fresh, often locally produced ingredients. Fat, salt, cheese, guacomole, etc. … they aren’t bad for you. It’s all about moderation. Just because YOU already are fat and haven’t managed to restrain yourself from that extra helping of cheetoes, don’t try to steal my joy at a damn good meal. Hell yes, I WANT that larger sized fajita burrito. My lean and athletic body needs some serious fuel for an active lifestyle. So hide away in your living room at night, watching crappy TV and stealing chips, cookies and sodas from the pantry, pretending that because nobody’s looking it won’t count. And stop blaming restaurants for YOUR fat ass.
Its Suddam Hussein, myspace/facebook, xbox/playstation and that damn Bill Gates fault!!!!!…The “King” and Ronald are pawns in this.
Good for us Kristyn. Working for yourself is a good thing………but thhis health insurance….is driving me crazy
This Jackoff guy is a idsgrace to the human race and should have all talking privelages taken away. I am a private school graduate, and I do not find private school’s in any way better than public schools. Everyone still smokes and drinks at private schools, so Jackoff needs to shut up.
Good for us Kristyn. Working for yourself is a good thing………but thhis health insurance….is driving me crazy
JMAC read FAST FOOD NATION and Risk Society
People do have the right to sue when these corps. monopolize the market so that they’re selling to our local schools and giving our children mad cow.
I am right there with you on the health insurance deal. My husband is actually an agent (an ethical one!) and trys to help people buy coverage and not over insure themselves. He and I both run marathons and our personal premiums stink. Some of the carriers are coming out with programs to reward those who make good health decisions. My health/eating info is based on my being a professional chef and watching the market closely.
This is ridiculous..I come to read an article about healthy eating and it becomes a political tirade. Bunch of addle-minded mental midgets. I can’t wait for this to end. By the way, doesn’t Obama smoke cigarettes? What would he tell us what or what not to eat? Just because Jack lives in Chicago his words are fact? Since I live in Alaska, I know what Putin plans to do with is pet tiger. Come on.
I respectfully disagree with the Cosi nod. Maybe for the green tea smoothie, but everything else there is covered in SALT! Look it up – nearly all of the soups (cup size) are more than half of your sodium limit for the day! And most of the sandwiches have enough calories for 2 meals. The flat bread that you get with your salad has over 200 calories alone.
Chipotle is awesome if you just get a burrito bol. Rice, meat, lettuce, salsa, and a tiny bit of cheese is plenty satisfying, and is less than 1/2 the calories of a burrito with the tortilla (I think the huge tortilla is over 300 cals or something)
I’m sorry, but correct me if I’m wrong, this is about eating healthy or the list of healthy resturants or whatever.. Because all I’m seeing now it political stuff..
I thought this ariticle was to help people be informed, yes some of the places are questionable, but like people said you can eat what you want, in moderation.
The thing about Chipotle is that “you” choose what goes one that burrito, just like “you” choose what goes on your sub at Subway.. When you stress about certain things you do tend to gain more weight.
Now granted some people may have to be a little more critical on what they eat do to health reasons.
But if you really want to go the calorie route then go for it.. 1200 calorie burrito at Chipotle, cut it in half. You now have 600 calories.. And if you go home and exercise later that night or day which ever. You can burn half that..
And really I think this article is just giving people options on that day you just don’t feel like cooking, or your on a trip, or your at work and you just need someplace to eat, but want to try and just want to watch what they eat..
If you are really concerned about the calories, ask for a nutrition list..They all have one.. Get a salad with no cheese and dressing on the side. There fixed that problem..
But I do agree that I wouldn’t put Chipotle in there at least at the top five, maybe close to last place or something. Really I would have put Subway first. But again.. It depends on what you get.. Go to Subway and get a 6inch only 6 grams of fat sub, (condements add calories). Make it a footlong and now you have 12 grams of fat.. Get a Meatball sub, double.. It’s all about making the right choices and exercising..
Whitney is correct, Chipolte tastes great and has some health benefits, but I had to pull and pry to get someone to send me their nutrition information… the chicken has a high fat content, perhaps because they include the dark meat, and the wraps are REALLY bad too. Check it out.
Hahaha, I think everyone is funny. My father use to say,”everyone that has an A** is a seat expert.” in this case, everyone that has a mouth is a food expert! Everyone please, only YOU can prevent obesity. That is what makes America a great country! You have the power of choice. Use your Brain and become the colorie expert, or not, sometime my mouth wants to party and not worry what my stomach thinks. Lets not all become BORING!
Where does Jared (subway) fit into all this?
Another one that was missed… Burgerville (PacNW). They have healthy farm raised beef, salmon, Halibut, local berry milkshakes… mmmmm. They contribute to the local economy by buying local and keeping it fresh!
Burgerville rocks… sustainable, lots of healthy choices, great fast food for the Pacific NW… local beef, salmon, and halibut, also local berry milkshakes… mmmmmmm!
Come on people lets not blame the restaurants if your obese its your own fault. Learn to control your self you can eat anything you want if you eat in moderation and you exercise its not that hard all you have to do is get up off the couch!
I’ve found a great book for eating out and in. “Eat this not that” http://www.MensHealth.com/EatThisNotThat. It shows you simple alternatives. It goes through almost ever eatery as well as holiday fare and prepared frozen meals. I am not a diet book fan, but this one is amazing. It rates the food based on the nutritional facts.
GLUTEN is NOT healthy. These restaurants offer bread, noodles, wheat and more wheat. It’s a mjor pitfall of our fastfood nation. Try again.
Amen Cayla!!! You are right on!
How about putting someone on the list that has more than 500 sites? I have never heard of most of these……..I realize B.K. and McD’s will not be on here but come on……
You know something is wrong about this list when Denny’s and Panera Bread make the list. Maybe what we can all learn from this is not to believe everything we read. Especially from sources that will feed you any kind of information to get you to buy what they’re selling. There has also been this commerical airing on t.v about high fructose corn syrup saying that its not “really” bad for you. But if you read the small print of course you will see the National corn refiners association are the people telling you this. What they really should be saying its not really bad for you until you consume it. Simlar to most of the resturants on this list.
the key word there is “Offer” Doesn’t mean you have to take it..
RUN for your LIFE, there are more comments (condiments?) up ahead! O.k. stick a fork in me I’m done.
I’ve found the best book. Titled “Eat This Not That” http://www.MensHealth.com/EatThisNotThat. It helps you make healthy choices for eating in or out, at a party or in the grocery store. It even helps you with cocktails. I am not a fan of diet books, but this book is great. It breaks the food down by calories, carbs, sodium, fat… For example did you know it is less calories and carbs to get an mcmuffin with egg, ham and cheese, than a bagel with cream cheese.
This is the WORST article I have ever seen especially coming from something that is suppose to be an article focused on “Health”. The Mac & Cheese at Noodles is over 900 calories and a Chipotle Burrito is over 1000 calories. You might as well eat a Big Mac with Fries and a Coke. People wonder why we as Americans are so over weight and under educated about nutrition. It is because of articles like this mis-leading everyone. I encourage everyone to do their own research and find out what is actually healthy and not listen to some idot ranking popluar restaurants.
These places are not seen as Healthy for their caloric content but for the ingredient that go into their food. Now if you put as much stuff as you want on a burrito and blame Chipotle. Many people can and DO eat their regularly and are not fat. That’s not their fault its yours. However, if you want to make sure your eating food that wont literally poison you with hormones, pesticides, and other harmful material and you want to eat out, then these are some good options. Typically, If you take the time to do a decent work out three of more times a week,(I know plenty of young mothers that are working, taking care of children, going to school, and can still work out. So I know that it is do able.) the amount of calories you intake is not that important. So, in reality it is our own fault for being what we are and not the places or the government, or our health care or who ever anyone wants to says fault it is for America being fat. Its just our culture, and these fast food restraunts are the result of our desire for quick food. At least these ones do bring healthy non poisioned food to the table and we decide how much. I will be honest, I save my other half of the burrito, as long as there is none of the lovely guacamole(i love that stuff) it will reheat pretty well.
I am a college biology student I run for the school Cross Country team, and I personally need to eat high calories in order to have any sort of energy. I work at starbucks and its located in between both a chipotle and a panera bread and I can tell you personally that I eat at both regularly and you can EASILY eat healthy there.
Really It just comes down to us being responsible, IF you want a diet that is low calorie low food intake fine that works for you and you will have a different set of top ten restaurants. If you are an active person and need more calories then this works fine. Depending on what your diet or daily food needs are then your going to have a different top ten list, this is just a general hey these places are great options for those that want quick out to eat food.
Thanks for reading everyone, I hope I did not offend anyone,and pardon my grammar. I am tired and have not had any coffee yet. Did you know coffee “beans” are really the pits of cherry like fruits. So really they should be called coffee pits. Lol.
I CAME TO THIS SITE TO READ AN ARTICLE ON FAST FOOD RESTARAUNTS, AND WOUND UP AMUSING MYSELF FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME WATCHING A BUNCH OF PEOPLE ARGUE OVER FOOD AND EVENTUALLY,POLITICS. WHAT THE HELL DOES BARACK OBAMA HAVE TO DO WITH EATING HEALTHY? I THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE UNDULY CRUCIFYING MR. MEOFF (JACK)FOR MAKING A SIMPLE COMMENT. I FEEL LIKE THIS MODERN DAY HEALTH FOOD FAD IS A LITTLE BIT LIKE A COMPULSIVE DISORDER,AND THAT TOO MUCH IS BEING MADE OF IT. THERES NO WAY IN HELL THAT I COULD CONTROL EVERY ASPECT OF WHAT I EAT EVERY DAY. I CANT ALWAYS BE IN THAT SITUATION. TO ME,ITS VERY SIMPLE.USE MUSTARD INSTEAD OF MAYONAISE,LEAVE THE CHEESE OFF YOUR BURGER,OR MAKE A FEW SIMPLE CHOICES THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD DONT EVEN GET TO MAKE. I LOST 10 POUNDS ONE TIME EASILY LIKE THIS. (I ADMIT MY METABOLISM MAKES IT A LITTLE EASIER.)OUTSIDE OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE,I PRETTY MUCH DONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT. I UNDERSTAND JACKS POINT,THOUGH I DONT SEE WHERE OBAMA HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. SORRY IF I OFFENDED ANYONE. DO ANY OF YOU PEOPLE HAVE TO WORK?
These places are not seen as Healthy for their caloric content but for the ingredient that go into their food. Now if you put as much stuff as you want on a burrito and blame Chipotle. Many people can and DO eat their regularly and are not fat. That’s not their fault its yours. However, if you want to make sure your eating food that wont literally poison you with hormones, pesticides, and other harmful material and you want to eat out, then these are some good options. Typically, If you take the time to do a decent work out three of more times a week,(I know plenty of young mothers that are working, taking care of children, going to school, and can still work out. So I know that it is do able.) the amount of calories you intake is not that important. So, in reality it is our own fault for being what we are and not the places or the government, or our health care or who ever anyone wants to says fault it is for America being fat. Its just our culture, and these fast food restraunts are the result of our desire for quick food. At least these ones do bring healthy non poisioned food to the table and we decide how much. I will be honest, I save my other half of the burrito, as long as there is none of the lovely guacamole(i love that stuff) it will reheat pretty well.
I am a college biology student I run for the school Cross Country team, and I personally need to eat high calories in order to have any sort of energy. I work at starbucks and its located in between both a chipotle and a panera bread and I can tell you personally that I eat at both regularly and you can EASILY eat healthy there.
Really It just comes down to us being responsible, IF you want a diet that is low calorie low food intake fine that works for you and you will have a different set of top ten restaurants. If you are an active person and need more calories then this works fine. Depending on what your diet or daily food needs are then your going to have a different top ten list, this is just a general hey these places are great options for those that want quick out to eat food.
Thanks for reading everyone, I hope I did not offend anyone,and pardon my grammar. I am tired and have not had any coffee yet. Did you know coffee “beans” are really the pits of cherry like fruits. So really they should be called coffee pits. Lol.
I hope this didnt post more than once as well. My comp is having bad connection
I agree with Sarah above… it is our life, choice and body… we should all learn self control and make informed decisions. Furthermore, how did this blog about food chains and health food turn into yet another debate about the presidential election??? Find a polictical website to unleash your opinions and frustations about the election!
Amen Amanda
LMAO Tim….no kidding! The poor king’s and Rondald’s in this world are just innocent bystanders trying to make a buck. I guess it’s just easier to point fingers at them instead of ourselves.
TO EAGLE EYE & JULIANNE. AMEN!
Jact off has the right idea, in fact I’m going to have a juicy rib steak tonight as well, and wash it down with my favorite–Fat Tire Ale…..you only live once–so enjoy (unless Obama gets elected, then everyone’s freedom is in jeopardy)
Did anyone watch the Olympics? (ok, I guess I’m not done.)The Human Body is an amazing thing. Michael Phelps would eat TONS of pancakes with LOads oF SyruP and a doZen EgGs and, and FAt fat fat… The point is, your body adjusts to your environment… If you run, swim, bike your A** off everyday, you can eat anything you want, your body will get rid of the rest. If you sit at a computer blogging all day long while eating that donut, and another… your A** is going to mold itself to that seat. I have to get going now, I haven’t had Breakfast yet and I have to get to work. So I can buy more food. Gotta run…
Chipotle actually is pretty healthy. Seen many people loose weight from eating the same thing there. Their food is as fresh as it gets. And everything is prepaired fresh everyday. Nothing frozen. You don’t find that at other fast food chains.
Anyways. Calories do not dictate whether it is a healthy food or not. a soybean grown in hazardous waste may only have 1 calorie… but it will also kill you. People of average or less weight die of many things that are caused by the food we eat. If your overweight that just adds on to the already bad food.
In fact if the govenernment was to make some stricter regulations in the food indusrty rather than being pushed by many to make a better health care system. It would save them and us a lot of money in health problems. Did you guys know Britain has banned American beef because of hormone use.
Chipolte is no longer owned by McDonalds. You do not have to eat the whole burrito at once. Cut it in half and save the other half for another meal. Great value , great taste. Very healthy. Its our favorite fast food place.
Ps. Your absolutly right Bryan Smith. Crosss country runner here. More Calories the better, but i do try to make sure it has nutritional value and is not all fat but none the less. Phelps made a great comment. He is in great health, working his butt off, and eating it off too. Once again goes to show caloric content is meaningless unless you plan on being lazy. I hate hearing kids at schools talking about how dread full it is to run a mile.
Agreed Bob. Chipotle is a great place as it brings food made with quality products, though I will be honest. I am really missing the student discount they had…
Chipotle was never owned by Mcdonalds, Mcdonals gave Steve Ells (Chipotle’s founder) a loan so that he could open more restaurants, and Mcdonald made a profit out of the mentioned loan, yes Chipotle’s food is healthy the best around, for every store that is open neiman ranch open a new farm
Got news for you! Its not the food, its the people. If it was all McDonalds fault that Americans are obese, then why are there any size 2 people left in this country?
Most of the obese couldnt care less about losing the weight…its their own fault, and they just don’t want to fix it.
If you don’t want to be fat, don’t be fat. If you do, be my guest, but don’t blame it on restaurants. One 1,200 calorie burrito isn’t going to add an extra 400 lbs to you, unless you eat 3 a day everyday, and then go lay on the couch for the rest of the time.
So quick to lay the blame anywhere else but those responsible…..thats America for you.
Thank you Amber!!! Somebody that actually knows the history of Chipotle and isn’t just ranting about something they heard somewhere instead of getting the facts. CHIPOTLE IS NOT OWNED BY MCDONALDS!!!!
In NYC a law has been passed that every fast food resturant must post calories on the food menu. Its great…. I think twice before I order a burger now.
“The rules: Keep it clean and stay on the subject or we may delete your comment.”
Who’s policing this?….Jack?
Try Culvers Cheese Curds They are Yummy!
Chipolte, Thats funny, their the ones that have had low marks by the Health inspector in Austin,TX.
I AGREE WITH JOHN,JACK,AND A FEW OTHERS ON EATING. WE (MY FAMILY.) HARDLY EVER EAT OUT AS WE ARE FAIRLY POOR. I DONT SEE HOW SO MANY PEOPLE CAN EAT OUT EVERY DAY. I WAS RAISED ON A FARM IN THE SIXTYS AND IT JUST DIDN’T HAPPEN. WHEN WE GET TO GO OUT TO EAT THE LAST THING IM GOING TO DO IS CARRY A CALORIE COUNTER. IM GOING OUT TO ENJOY THE BEST POSSIBLE MEAL THAT I CAN HAVE WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT IT. IT’S PRETTY SIMPLE TO MODERATE WHEN NECCESARY, AND, GET SOME KIND OF EXCERCISE.WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?
TO JOHN: SOUNDS LIKE YOUR A COOK. THANKS FOR YOUR OPINION.
When I go to Chipotle, I only get a veggie burrito bowl w/no sour cream, no fajita veggies. So basically it is black beans, a little rice, lettuce, guac, cheese, pico de gaillo, medium salsa, and it tastes awesome. This is not so bad for you, and a lot of times I can’t eat it all anyways. When you add the tortilla and meat the cals and fat go up tremendously.
If you exercise regularly you can eat most things in moderation. Jackoff reasoning seem to be as old as McCain or maybe on the over weight side. Eat what you want but do not eat it as often. Smaller portions do help, but having a weekly workout regiment is vital. All this depends on if you are trying to lose pounds or just trying to maintain. Remember you want to eat less calories and burn more. Thanks Jackoff Obama all the way.
I love commies
and burritoes
Hey GETINFORMED, thanks for speaking up!! It is greatly appreciated. And people…get some exercize!!!
What about Jason’s Deli?
I can’t believe Chick-Fil-A isn’t on here I love their fresh lemonade and grilled chicken sandwich on a whole wheat bun. Their salads and fruit cups are great too. I’ve never even heard of any of the restaurants listed.
You can all kiss the convenience of franchised restaurants like Chipotle good bye if Obama gets into office and proceeds with the small business tax increases he has spoken of anyhow. Quit worrying about the nutritional content of an obnoxious sized burrito, and make an informed decision to help keep these types of businesses alive and thriving. No new taxes. NOBAMA!!!
This is pretty sad when an article on food turns into a political debate. i dont agree with some of the restaurants on the list, but like others are saying, “eat in moderation”. I am in weight watchers, no im not fat, but i enrolled because i wanted to find out how to eat better and make better choices. Now a days, we let our kids grow up eating all this crap and not making them eat things that are actually good for us. We just need to stop frying this, eat steamed veggies, brown rice, and not so much bread. We all need to grow up. this is a place to comment and not worry about getting slammed in the face for our opinions.
Jason’s Deli.. Wow I went there when i was in Wichita, KS. Amazing Food. I don’t know how large they are. I hope they begin to build in southern Cali. I have only been to chic fil a once and i thought it was cheap chicken didnt taste that good. But i keep seeing it mentioned so i will have to try it out again sometime, who knows perhaps it was just the location. Each store is a bit different you know.
Yeah, Bread is a carb and carbs are great if you are going to need large amounts of energy(swimming running very physical job). However, when not used they are stored and take a long time to burn off.
Chipotle is pretty healthy if you’re not the typical fat American that has to load on the calories as they do with everything else because they have no will power. I always got the carnitas burrito bowl, no rice or beans, but with lettuce, salsa, cheese, and sour cream and it has around 400 calories (most of which is protein from the carnitas). You can go to calorieking.com and they have nutritional info for a bunch of restaurants including Chipotle. And if you notice, they didn’t say Panera was healthy, they said their soups are low cal.
Pretty much any place you go to eat out there can be healthy or not depending on your choices.
And for the Chipotle haters out there, the company is not owned in any way by McDonalds. They did buy shares yes, but were never allowed to take controlling shares and were not able to change anything about Chipotle and therefore sold off what they had bought.
BRADLEY there are a few Jasons in Phoenix, make it a day trip!
Sweet I may just have to do that I have some family out that way too :)
People that are complaining about how “you should eat at home” or “oh man, chipolte is owned by McDonald’s I’m not going to eat there” no one cares for your opinion. so keep it to yourself. Oh, and if you’re freaking out about how people are telling you where you can and can’t eat. you are ridiculous. Everyone is allowed to eat where ever they want.
personally I love pretty much all those restaurants, and on occasion I’ll hit up a McDonald’s. what are you gonna do about it?
People…for the last time…Chipotle is NOT and never has been owned by McDonald’s. Chipotle started in Colorado on it’s own. McDonald’s was a non-voting investor to make a profit on an up and coming restaurant chain. McDonald’s help stock options in Chipotle for less than 2 years, turned back the shares to Chipotle and split with their profits. Brad the FACT CHECK: was quoting an article from 2006…way to be current with your facts.
Chipotle uses hormone free pork, beef and chicken…it’s up to YOU to watch what YOU eat, not the restaurant. Take more responsiblity for your own actions and stop asking the restaurant to be our mommy!!!!
I would be happy to buy from Chiple’s if they would cook the shell in olive oil briefly on both sides, if you were to buy it as they normally sell it, it is like chewing on raw bread dough, they need to go back to the drawing board and stop steaming the shell and briefly cook it in hot olive oil instead and would get rid of the doughiness and would taste good at that too, wake up Chipotle’s!
When I saw this article I was very interested especially since I am on a sodium restricted diet.
I quickly became disapointed – very few have nutrition information and only two of those list sodium !! The list is biased towards fat and caalories.
OK I agree with some of these comments. I am going to Weight Watchers and I have to say some of them are better than going to McDonalds and eating a cheeseburger, small fries and a diet coke. They are more fulling than the meal from McDonalds. Since I am only able to eat so much in a day time. I want something that is going to full me up in the same amount Weight Watchers allows me to have then a small meal that I feel hungry all day long. So going to McDonalds is out for me, but going to Panera is ten times better for me and more fulling for much less damage to my Weight Watchers diet. So some time the salt is worth it.
I have a degree in nutrition and exercise and I can’t believe anyone would publicize chipotle at being healthy with out the disclaimer: IT IS ONLY HEALTHY IF YOU LEAVE OFF THE CHEESE SOUR CREAM AND TORTILLA- together those are 520 calories- a meal in itself!
Oh and don’t even think about the ’salad dressing’ that’s 320Kcal ALONE!
Don’t get me wrong, If you get the BURRITO BOWL– Steak with lettuce, tomato salsa, rice and black beans you’re doing GREAT! That is only about 500 Calories and VERY filling!
If you really want to ’spend’ your calories on getting it as a burrito- it’s 800 Calories… I just want everyone to be completely informed before going on a “healthy” chipotle binge
I think Americans are always looking for surrogate “mothers” when it comes to what and how we should eat. Our ancestors didn’t have this info available and they didn’t seem to have the health concerns plaguing this country. Eat as close to nature as possible,eat sensibly and to some of you, quit drinking Starbucks Frappuccinos for lunch as some of them have the maximum sugar intake for an entire week. Just use common sense. It is often said if the ingredient list is longer than 5-10 ingredients, it’s probably not too healthy and if some are impossible to pronounce, skip it. That’s my 2 cents worth. Oh, by the way, I’m 38 and still get carded.:)
BTW who ever made the point that calories aren’t the only thing that make it unhealthy is right. Fresh ingredients with no antibiotics is wonderful. The other thing to look at nutritionally besides calories is SATURATED FATS. Those are that things your body has a difficult time breaking down and as such they store them. If you reduce you saturated fat intake you will also be decreasing your overall calorie intake if you don’t compensate it with proteins and carbs.
I think that there is a better choice for a healthy fast food restaurant and that is The Pita Pit. This is a chain that started in Canada and now has over two hundred locations in Canada and the United States. Their food is very healthy and fresh and affordable.
Dee of Baltimore, you do not just get sick from improper temps, you also get sick from people (employees) not washing their hands after using the bathroom. Yuk!!!!
I don’t think chipotle is that healthy either, don’t get me wrong but i think this article is for the healthiest QUICK BITES. That means out of all the fast food stops out there Chipotle is healthier than those, not saying that it is healthy.
Help us out down here in Mississippi! We eat out too but don’t have these great choices!
I AGREE 10000% WITH JACK OFF!!! ALL YOU OBAMA LOVERS WILL KNOW WHAT IT IS TO LIVE IN A COMMUNIST COUNTRY REAL SOON IF YOU VOTE FOR OBAMA.. HE WRITES IN HIS BOOK THAT HE STANDS NEXT TO HIS MUSLIM PEOPLE WHEN POLITICS GET UGLY?????? WE NEED TO GIVE MCAIN THE CHANCE TO SERVE HIS COUNTRY FOR 4 YEARS HE DESERVES IT AFTER BEING TORTURED FOR REPRESENTING THIS COUNTRY IN WAR AND GIVING EACH AND EVERYONE ONE OF US THE RIGHT TO EVEN GIVE AN OPINION, THIS IS CALLED FREEDOM!!! PLEASE READ CAREFULLY OF WHO IS BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA!!! AS FOR FOOD THE TOP SPOT ON THE LIST IS COSI!!
Chipotle is very healthy and the portions you eat are your responsibility. Their food and poetions are perfect for extremely active people and gym rats like myself. If you are going to give props to Chipotle you have to mentiom Qdoba which is essentialy the same place but which many people feel is of a higher quality. Their meats have a better flavor to them, and they have more selections other than burritos than Chipotle does. The mexican gumbo is to die for.
heres the thing, i agree with the statement that we are dying the second we were born, but honestly, what you eat is your choice, everything we eat has too much of this and two much of that, i bet its almost impossible to follow the recommend value of certian minerals and fats on a daily basis, and if your think you are eating to much fats and sodium, go to the gym, work it off, and you dont have time, MAKE TIME, if your that worried, work out, burn off those caliores, thats also whats wrong, we are too lazy and we have to cut back on what we eat instead of counterbalancing are intake of food that we all love to have
I enjoy Chipotle, however, I have no idea how healthy or not that it is because for some reason they are exempt from providing nutritional information.
I enjoy fast food just like everyone else. Common sense should be the rule of thumb when choosing your meal. It’s nice to read articles that outline the different restaurants’ menu, but bottom line, if you want guaranteed healthy food, eat at home. My ‘vote’ goes to Chick-A-Filet for healthier fast food. Their grilled chicken sandwich, grilled chicken salad, chicken soup, fruit cup, and slaw choices are delicious. They may not be sodium free and fat free, but hands down are more healthy than Chipotle, Panera’s cream soups or the ever popular Big Mac or Whopper and fries.
It’s funny to see how a list of “healthy” fast food restaurants turns into political comments. Jack Off you’re an idiot and Maddog you’re a bigger idiot. Let’s make every POW who has been tortured and every soldier president and politicans and our country will be just glorious. Stick to talking about food and vote for whomever you want. Please don’t feed us your bullsh!t.
OTTO, IS SHOWS YOU ALSO WENT TO PUBLIC SCHOOL AND HAVE NO COLLEGE EDUCATION. IF YOU DID HAVE ANY OF THE ABOVE YOU WOULD PROBABLY OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS LIKE MYSELF AND WE CAN’T AFFORD TO PAY MORE TAXES TO GIVE YOU LAZY BUMS WITH NO EDUCATION FREE HEALTH INSURANCE, FREE FOOD STAMPS, FREE MONEY TO PAY MONTHLY BILLS??? THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BE INVISIBLE NOT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BE OUR BREAD AND BUTTER FOR SURVIVAL!!! ENJOY NOW THAT YOU CAN CHOOSE WHERE TO EAT BECAUSE IF YOU VOTE FOR OBAMA, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE TELLING YOU WHAT TO EAT!!! EAT FISH ITS GOOD FOR THE HEART!!!
Chipolte’s cuisine has some of the highest sodium content. I don’t know how it can be considered a “healthy” restaurant!
I exercise every day for 2 hours and I eat super healthy. Even though I try really hard I usually only consume about 600 calories; just 800 calories short of what I should be eating. It’s funny whenever I eat at Chipotle the next day I get on the scale and I’m always a pound lighter. …I wonder what would happen if I went to Chipotle for a whole week.
You can usually search “[chain's name] nutritional info” on google and something like this comes up
http://www.chipotlefan.com/index.php?id=nutrition_calculator
And many times the corporate offices will list the nutritional info on there websites not in stores.
My wife and I often have lunch at Bertucci’s Italian Restaurant. We order one serving each of the ‘Roasted Tuscan Vegetables’ side dish, and one serving of the ‘Spinach with Artichokes’ side dish which we both share. We have always assumed that we eating “Healthy”. I Hope this is true.
Are you kidding me, Chipotle on the healthy list??? Talk about misleading. while there statement of “Food w/ Integrity” is genuine, the amount of fat and calories in a chicken burrito (#1 seller) is like eating 3 big macs.
BTW, they are raising proces yet again…Who’s going to pay $8 for an artery cloggin burrito?
All things in moderation.The key is not to ban anything from your diet or you will just wind up wanting it. Eat lots of veggies and fruit. Eat an average amount of meat and grains and eat a little of everything else. Chick fil-A should have been mentioned however.
Just split the frreaking burrito in half.
I love Chipotle. It is absolutely DELICIOUS!!! As a high school sophomore, I’m constantly on the go and I love how Chipotle is quick and delectable. As for the “portion sizes” and “salt content”, what would you prefer: Your kids eating Big Macs every day after school when they’re hungry, or going to Chipotle where it costs a little more, but at least it’s organic and hormone-free meat. I’d pick Chipotle.
Enough sodium to stop your heart! In fact, a 3 soft taco chicken order has more sodium than the average McDonald’s value meal(not that I’m a fan of McDonalds). Check the nutrition charts for each of these restaurants – I did! I even contacted the restaurant and they said, “…we never advertised it as being healthy, we say FRESH…”
Used to love it, Denver native, too bad its death in a tortilla.
chipotle is a very healthy if you know what your getting. So please stop smack talking chipotle.
thank you.
Yeah, but 99% of Americans have no idea what foods are and are not healthy for you. Those chipotle burritos add up to over 1,000 calories quickly and most people eat the whole thing, with a soda and chips. And we wonder why Cardiovascular diseases are the number one reason of death in the states!!!
Dear Jack, author of: “At lunch today, I ate the biggest burrito I could get at Chipotle and enjoyed it thoughly. This evening I will go to a local steak house and have the24 oz. grilled prime strip steak. You people are food facists, trying to tell us what we must eat. As long as this is a free country, I will make my own decisions as what I will eat. Fact of life: we are all dying from the day we are born, so enjoy life, I don’t need the food police to tell me what to eat”
The author of this story is not TELLING us what to eat, they are making suggestions. Some people like ME have DIABETES so it is helpful information. There are also people out there that have HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE and CHOLESTEROL problems, or one of the other many problems out there. Be thankful to God that you do not have to worry about this. He is the one that gives you each day you have, so he might appreciate it if you at least try to take care of yourself. Good luck with your health in the future!
none of these are in california???
Keep in mind that this article is intended to rank restaurants that are available to most of the nation (”75 locations nationwide”). Understandably, organic franchises that operate in small communities can serve healthier food. The key here is that the bigger picture is not as bad as many people believe; it seems that the article wants to prove that there is always a healthier way to go when the only options are the larger chains.
MADDOG – fish is not great either. The larger the fish the more it contains mercury and other heavy metals. If you eat fish, eat smaller fish that have not lived in the water as long therefore have not absorbed as many chemicals.
As for the rest of these comments, you all need to learn how to cook properly and spell correctly.
you guys are ridiculous
“chipotle isnt healthy because of its portions”
if you really think about nothing is healthy when you consume a a big portion of ANYTHING.
no mater what your eating you have to think of moderation and avocado is actually healthy from the oils it. so relax and go stuff your faces this isnt a nutritionist it just gives suggestions so America will stop getting obese which is an epidemic now
44.25 -0.44 -0.98%
After Hours: 44.25 unch / unch Vol. 2,166
Previous Close 44.69 Bid NA
Open 44.49 Bid Size 100
Day’s High 46.85 Ask NA
Day’s Low 42.11 Ask Size 400
Volume 567,955 52 Week High 155.49
Avg. Daily Vol. (13 wk.) 782,414 52 Week Low 40.44
Chipotle Mexican Grill down 100 shares – Hmmmm???
This site/survey seems to be a little obsessed with calories. What about preservatives / additives / colourings / and other stuff that is killing us? See foomatters.tv
Maddog, please stop shouting. Is it because no-one listened to you as a child. Were you bullied? You dont need to write in CAPS. Maybe you need to take the caps lock button off, it’s on the left hand-side of your keyboard.
i agree with jack off ya’ll need to get a clue im 14 years old i bet i know more about the nutritional content of my foods than 9/10 tenths of you i dont even need a nutrion facts sticker anymore i can tell bey just looking at the food maybe its just becuase im a swimmer and actaully care about nutrion for competetion and training but from what i see you all clueless
how much money did these restaurants pay you guys?!? chipotle??? noodles and company??? panera??? all of these are carb loaded and hard to find a healthy alternative at any of these places!!! give me a break…yeah, eat at chipotle, noodles and company, panera and cosi and see what that does for your waist line…for real calorie information use http://www.calorieking.com…they have every food and drink (fast food, restaurants and grocery store) you can think of.
Agreeing with Jack off ! If the Obama gets in we won’t have to be concerned about the decisions we make.Or maybe we will since he doesn’t make any on his own! Socialism here we come ! Jack Off, Mexico can’t be too bad half of it’s up here.
The key to esating right is proportion, vegetables and lean meats. Just stick to it and don’t be weak.
some of you have the right idea… but have made comments about sodium being low at around 2000 mg. thats just insane…so ill clarify. Sodium should be around 1500 mg/day (ideally) the tolerable upper intake level is 3000mg/day, the ULs are the limit at which a food, mineral or vitamin can then become toxic. Eating one meal that has 2000 mg pretty much limits what you can eat the rest of the day without going completely overboard. I used the example of sodium because so many people commented on that, and wanting low sodium choices. Nobody suggested this site either, remember the old food guide pyramid? Well, there is a new version called “MyPyramid.” Anyone interested in this take a look at it http://www.mypyramid.gov all the foods are now equal parts of the pyramid, along with a stick figure person climbing stairs up the side of the pyramid. This is trying to emphasize eating foods in moderation along with exercise is key. Anyways go to the website and you can punch in your height and weight it will give you your daily amounts of food in each area. Great tool, I am studying nutrition and we use this along with other charts like the DRI’s, RDA’s and UL’s to design diets. another point to keep in mind, of your total calories 45-65% should be carbs, 10-35% should be protein, and 20-30% of total calories should be from fat. Stay away from saturated fatty acids and especially trans fatty acids! Mono and poly-unsaturated fatty acids are the healthier fats to eat. Cholesterol should be less than 300mg/day (this is not very much considering a single egg has about 250 mg!) anyways, I just thought i would share factual information with those of you who are seriously interested, if you are even just conscious about those numbers and trying to stay low in foods with cholesterol and saturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids (SFAs and TFAs), you will be helping yourself alot! oh…another interesting point you may not know anything with less than 0.5 mg does not have to be stated on a nutrition label, so especially trans fatty acids are stated as 0mg on a label doesnt mean that its not there… look for the word “hydrogenated” it = trand fatty acids…not good especially if the serving size is not paid attention to and is only 1/8 cup or something small like that…
p.s. thought i should also just clear it up, the carbs should really be 45-65% of your total caloric intake for the day, but at least half of your grains (or carbs) should be whole grain or in other words complex carbohydrates.
and as for the rice bowls some of you mentioned at chipotle, that could be a good choice if they have the option of brown rice. White rice has very little nutritional value, most of it is carbs and its not whole grain and it has a lot of calories. ten bucks says that the calories would go down alot in those rice bowls if you picked one with brown rice…maybe even reduced enough you could possibly eat the whole bowl for one meal without over doing it… (i havent heard of that place though maybe they are ginormous bowls…but just making a point that they are calorically dense w/o much benefit nutrition-wise. :D
Did these places pay for this article. There are more bad choices at these places than good! True, some of these places give you more options for “tweaking” the menu items to make them acceptable, but as ordered of the menu, many of these are just as bad or worse than traditional burger joints. BEWARE
Thanks guys! Not one of those restaurants is in Canada. That’s a freaking lot of help!
You know, it would be nice if you guys had done the study on this instead: “What are the healthiest fast food places to eat that WE’VE HEARD OF!”
The list on this study appears the researchers only eat japanese tofu, and certainly that is healthy. But what about an Arby’s roasted beef sandwich? I hear diabetics can eat that if its plain, and those are pretty good plain. I mean can you eat at common fast food chains and do it healthy?
We all have our favorite places to “eat out”. Personal responsibility to choose the selections best suited for you is the way to go.
TO: iamnotaliberal; please go back to school and learn the basics of punctuation, capitilazation and sentence structure. If you are really only fourteen years old you still have time to aquire proper English composition skills.
Do you folks realize you gave the Chipolte Restaurant chain a million dollars worth of FREE advertising?
still, can it beat a dollar menu…
Chipotle has been keeping me alive through college (and is cheaper than dorm food too!). People complaining about portion size — if you can’t handle it all at once, just save it for later! I personally think Chipotle is the only one on the list with moderately satisfactory serving sizes; I usually eat two burritos in a meal and have still managed to slim down a few pounds.
blah blah
“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”
-Michael Pollan
People complain about portion size, but it’s ultimately the diner’s responsibility. Something has a lot of calories? Save half for another meal!
At a place I used to work, the employees would have weight-loss competitions that would go on for 8-12 weeks at a time. I was amazed when the people that were said they were “trying to lose weight” would clean their plate every time we went out for lunch. They would even comment halfway through that they were full, yet they felt compelled to eat everything they were served rather than stopping when they were full. And then they wondered why they didn’t lose any weight.
hey Jack off.. I agree with ya.. Right on Brother..Not too wild about moving to Iraq though..
3 words – FIRE ISLAND GRILL!
Where is Fire Island Grill? Sounds good…
Fire Island Grill is a healthy choice in fast casual dining. It is located in Palmdale at 40117 10th Street West next to Antelope Valley Mall! No fryers, freezers, microwaves – all made fresh in front of the guests. The spicy sauces on the island bowls are delicious and unique! The sandwiches and salads are also great and I love the island atmosphere. Check it out!
You Fat ppl just need to start working out, then you wont have to worry about what you eat…
I’m really not sure wich restaruant I would choose because i’m fat.
So you know since i’m obese then I would go with any fast food restaurant especially Mcdonalds, like when someone says the word “McDonalds” My mouth drools…
I’m not proud of it but it does happen alot.
So I am not sure wich is healthier because they all very unhealthy..
wendys is about as unhealthy as Mcdonalds.
Like my cousin DeAndre he eats mdonalds everyday..
he trys out for wrestling every year and never gets in..
That’s because of his weight.
Oh wait nevermind, I just realized that wendys and Mcdonalds arn’t even choices..
my bad..
i am a fat boy and i like to run and play but still weight 554 please help me im to fat
Wow. Some of you are really judgemental. There are a ton of folks who are road warriors for their company and are just looking for the healthiest option….
When you live out of a suitcase planning a successful eating plan is much more difficult-some of us are just trying to make the best choices in a difficult situation. What a bunch of pricks.
I clicked on this site to see if Wendy’s was on the list since I think the Asian Chicken Salad with the Sesame Dressing is very good and might not be too bad for you. I started reading some of the comments and now I wonder how in the heck did the whole thing become a political debate??? Name calling! Mud slinging! Wow! Two things I won’t debate about…politics and religion! I can’t change your mind and you won’t change mine so why wasted time and energy arguing? I vote for moderation and exercise!
I think it’s funny when people bring the President into an article about restaurants. Some people are just too ridiculous for words. Anyone who wants to think this article is a way to “control” what people eat, you are stupid. It’s just an article, stop reading into everything as some sort of hidden agenda!
Very nice information. Im trying to lose weight and this should help on my journey.
Regarding a comment above. How is salsa (tomatoes, chiles, onions, cilantro, tomatillos) and guacamole (avocado, tomatoes, lemon juice) unhealthy? Some people spend way too much time counting calories, carbs. Eat natural foods as much as possible (fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains), and avoid refined sugar (soda) and don’t stress over calories. I never count calories and eat tons of food from places like Chipotle, Sharky’s, Rubios during lunch about 3X a week and excercise,stay active most days. I laugh at people who think that I am on a diet, I am just eating the way you should be.
Thank you for the info, very interesting article.
Tell me another thing. What happened before those fast food restaurants couldn’t offer healthy food?
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