Long Read

Low Calorie Restaurant Options: What fast food can I eat on my diet?

We know as much as anyone, staying healthy while treating yourself to fast food or  a meal out is always difficult, that’s why we’ve come up with a list of the best low calorie options at some of our favourite restaurants.

Intrigued? Let’s get started!

Low Calorie Options at Zizzi (all under 600 calories)

  • The Zucca
  • King Prawn Linguine
  • Ravioli Du Capra
  • Non-Gluten Pomodoro Pasta

Low Calorie Options at McDonalds

  • Crispy Chicken & salad medium meal with Coca Cola Zero (266 calories)
  • Filet o’ Fish & salad medium meal with water (319 calories)
  • 6 McNugget & salad medium meal with water (261 calories)
  • 4 Veggie Dippers & salad medium meal with water (339 calories)

 

  • Grilled chicken salad (133 calories) 
  • Side salad (18 calories)
  • Carrot bag (34 calories)
  • Apple & Grape fruit bag (46 calories)

Low Calorie Options at Nandos

  • Medium ¼ Chicken – Leg & Thigh (185 calories per serving)
  • Medium ¼ Chicken – Breast & Wing (282 calories per serving)
  • Medium Boneless Chicken Thighs (301 calories per serving)
  • Regular Mixed Leaf Side Salad (123 calories per serving)
  • Regular Side Corn On The Cob (90 calories per serving)
  • Long Stem Broccoli (32 calories per serving)

Low calorie options from restaurants

Low Calorie Options at Wagamama

  • Chicken Ramen (473 calories per serving)
  • Pulled Pork Steamed Gyoza (231 calories per serving)
  • Tofu Harusame Glass Noodles (437 calories per serving)
  • Pad Thai Salad (349 calories per serving)

Low Calorie Options at TGI Fridays

  • Lightly Spiced Shrimp (392 calories)
  • Shell-on Garlic & Chilli King Prawns (201 calories)
  • Buffalo Cauliflower Wings (260 calories)
  • 10 oz Sirloin (363 calories)
  • 8 oz Rump (322 calories)
  • Caesar Salad (312 calories)
  • Meatless Chicken Tacos (362 calories) 
  • House fries (297 calories)
  • House side salad (26 calories)
  • Sweet potato fries (249 calories)

Low Calorie Options at KFC

  • Mini fillet burger (290 calories)
  • BBQ mini wrap (300 calories)
  • Veggie salad (235 calories)
  • Corn (85 calories per cob)
  • Garden salad (75 calories)

Low Calorie Options at Prezzo

  • Smaller & Light Chicken Primavera Pizza (534 calories per serving)
  • Smaller & Lighter Pancetta, Pea & Mushroom Penne (492 calories per serving)
  • Grilled Chicken Breast with Mushrooms (384 calories per serving)
  • Rocket Side Salad (93 calories per serving)
  • King Prawn & Salmon Risotto (471 calories per serving)
  • Chicken, Bacon & Avocado Salad (512 calories per serving)

Low Calorie Options at Burger King

  • Chicken Fries (213 calories)
  • Chicken Nuggets (251 calories per serving)
  • Chilli Cheese Bites (301 calories per serving)
  • Vegan Nuggets (243 calories per serving)
  • Cheese Burger (284 calories)
  • Hamburger (247 calories)

Low Calorie Options at Yo! Sushi

  • Coriander Seared Tuna Sashimi (93 calories per serving)
  • Mixed Maki Plate (196 calories per serving)
  • Chicken and Tangerine Salad (148 calories per serving)
  • Chicken Katsu (225 calories per serving)

Low calorie menu choices from popular British restaurants

Low Calorie Options at Bella Italia

  • Gamberoni Spirali (259 calories per serving)
  • Bolognese Spirali (282 calories per serving)
  • Lenticchie Spirali (299 calories per serving)
  • Pollo Lenticchie (335 calories per serving)
  • Insalata Giardiniera Salad (265 calories per serving)
  • Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables Side (64 calories per serving)
  • Mixed Salad Side (98 calories per serving)

Low Calorie Options at Subway

* Calories calculated without sauce, additional salad, cheese or extras
  • TLC Tikka: Sub 300 calories, Wrap 313 calories, Salad 111 calories
  • Italian BMT: Sub 382 calories, Wrap 394 calories, Salad 194 calories
  • Steak & Cheese: Sub 338 calories, Wrap 351 calories, Salad 136 calories
  • Meatless Marinara: Sub 357 calories, Wrap 370 calories, Salad 167 calories
  • Chicken Tikka: Sub 265 calories, Wrap 278 calories, Salad 75 calories (low fat option)
  • Tuna: Sub 347 calories, Wrap 359 calories, Salad 157 calories
  • Chicken & Bacon: Sub 324 calories, Wrap 337 calories, Salad 171 calories
  • Chicken Teriyaki: Sub 304 calories, Wrap 317 calories, Salad 114 calories

 

  • Ham: Sub 270 calories, Wrap 283 calories, Salad  80 calories
  • Roast Chicken: Sub 287 calories, Wrap 300 calories, Salad 97 calories
  • Nacho Chicken: Sub 382 calories, Wrap 395 calories, Salad 192 calories
  • Plant Patty: Sub 371 calories, Wrap 384 calories, Salad 181 calories
  • Turkey Breast & Ham: Sub 243 calories, Wrap 256 calories, Salad 53 calories
  • Cheesy Pepperoni: Sub 376 calories, Wrap 389 calories, Salad 186 calories
  • Veggie Delight: Sub 271 calories, Wrap 230 calories, Salad 39 calories
  • Turkey Breast: 212 calories, Wrap 225 calories, Salad 23 calories
Not fancying one of these restaurants? We’ve got you covered. Here are our top tips for a guilt-free meal out:
  • Opt for high-protein options such as chicken, fish or eggs
  • Meals with plenty of vegetables and less processed saturated fats are always a better option
  • Try swapping the skinny fries for a nourishing side salad or seasonal greens instead
  • Be Sauce savvy – there can often be hidden calories in sauces and salad dressings, asking for these separately, or even better, to be removed can lower calories drastically
  • Ask the restaurant if they can dry-fry or use less oil when cooking your meal, they usually are happy to comply!

So whether you are following the exante 800, 1200 or the exante 5:2 plan, staying on plan whilst visiting pubs and restaurants can be totally possible! We hope this guide helps you when planning your meal out, and if you have any more tips or menu options we haven’t covered and think others ought to know, we’d love to hear from you! Get in touch via our Facebook and Instagram to share your thoughts. A final word from us; as the indoor restaurants, cafes and pub openings are well underway, don’t forget to enjoy yourself and stay safe!

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  1. https://9to5strength.com/zizzi-nutrition-information-and-calories/
  2. https://www.nandosperiperi.com/what-is-peri-peri/calculator
  3. https://www.wagamama.com/our-menu/salads
  4. https://www.prezzorestaurants.co.uk/globalassets/pdfs/allergen-menus/d57470—prezzo-main-menu-allergen-may-19-lr—v2-may19.pdf
  5. https://yosushi.com/menu
  6. https://www.bellaitalia.co.uk/nutrition-values

All nutritional information correct as of 10th September 2019.



Aimee Heeran

Aimee Heeran

Writer and expert

Aimee graduated from the University of Bristol in 2019. It was during her time at University that her love of fitness and nutrition truly began. She’s always loved an active lifestyle from a small child. Aimee frequently enjoys going to the gym, regular hot yoga classes and going for long country walks. She loves trying new activities and in the last 12 months has tried jet skiing, horse riding, and her first 10K race.