6 Huge Menu Edges Chick-Fil-A Has Over KFC, Diet Experts Say
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When KFC decided to resurrect Colonel Sanders, it reminded a lot of us how big a deal the colonel’s original recipe was back in the 1980s. But nowadays, the 5-star general of fried chicken isn’t the white-suited country gentleman. It’s a cow with bad spelling.
A new report has found that Chik-fil-A is not only crushing the old colonel—with more than three times the sales of KFC—but it may be the most popular fast-food chain in the world, outselling McDonald’s on a per-store basis by more than 20 percent. And why not? Between that sweet, crispy meat, the buttered bun, and the side of waffle fries, their sandwich makes us want to “Eat Mor Chiken” too.
To keep you eating well at this popular poultry outpost, the editors of Eat This, Not That! polled the country’s top diet experts to find out what they eat when they find themselves at Chik-fil-A. Follow their advice, and to tone your waistline even more, try these essential 10 Best Foods for Rapid Weight Loss!
Mouthwatering Meals #6 and 5
Grilled Market Salad with Ice Cream / Grilled Chicken Nuggets
“If I were eating lunch at Chick-fil-A, I’d order the Grilled Market Salad with the fat-free honey mustard dressing—reduced-fat berry balsamic or light italian would be good choices, too,” says Lisa Cimperman, MS, RDN, LD, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She’d pair it with a small ice cream cone, for a 460-calorie meal. Alternately, “if you’re in the mood for the classic Chick-fil-A chicken, another great alternative would be to go for the 8 piece grilled nuggets, a side salad with a healthy salad dressing from above—the balsamic will give you the least amount of sodium—and a fruit cup,” for a 505 calorie meal. “These meals offer a decent amount of fiber and protein–two nutrients that help you feel full and maintain energy levels throughout the afternoon! And top it off with an unsweetened tea.”
Eat This Tip!: Speaking of tea, researchers say the unique catechins trigger the release of fat from fat cells (particularly in the belly)—and our test panelists lost up to 10 pounds on this great plan: The 7-Day Flat-Belly Tea Diet and Cleanse!
Michelle Loy, MPH, RDN, CSSD, also likes the “very colorful Chick-fil-A Grilled Market Salad with the Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette on the side,” she says. “This salad”—coming in at 430 calories—“features dark leafy greens, which are excellent sources of heart-protective folate and immune system-supportive vitamin A.
Eat This Tip!: “The berries also contain disease-fighting antioxidants that help ward off chronic conditions, like cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease,” says Loy. “And each serving of salad also boasts a good amount of protein, fiber and fat that will help keep you satisfied.”
Mouthwatering Meal #4
Waffle Fries and Fruit Salad
Keri Gans, RDN, author of The Small Change Diet, does not want Mor Chiken. “I must admit that I don’t like it,” she says, “so I would order a small waffle fries—decadent, I know, but satisfying—and a large fruit salad,” for 380 calories. But Eat This, Not That! stands behind her second choice: “For those who want meat, I would suggest the Grilled Chicken Sandwich,” she says, echoing everyone else. “It provides three grams of fiber and 30 grams of protein for only 320 calories.”
Eat This Tip!: Gans also suggests fruit for dessert: “You can never go wrong with that.” In fact, eating the exact right fruits can lead to record weight loss—find out which ones in our latest report, compliments of Zero Belly Diet: 14 Ways to Lose Your Belly in 14 Days!
Mouthwatering Meals #3 and 2
Garden Chicken Garden Salad / Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Amy Shapiro MS, RD, CDN, is digging the chicken at Chick-fil-A—as long as it’s not dunked in oil. “I always stick to the simplest foods available and skip the fried options–yes, that includes the fried chicken and the fries–as well as creamy sides like coleslaw and potato salad,” she says. “So I’ll either get the Grilled Chicken Sandwich —which comes with lettuce and tomato on a whole grain bun, for 320 calories—and take off the top bun, or the simple Grilled Market Salad.”
Eat This Tip!: “I always get the dressing on the side and only use about one to two tablespoons,” says Shapiro. “Another fun item I order when I’m not really hungry but in a snack-y mood are the grilled chicken nuggets! They aren’t fried, so they’re a better option for your waistline, and I get to enjoy eating like a kid again–just without all the temptation and excess calories!” If you’re also feeling “snacky,” indulge your cravings—and lose weight with every bite—using this essential list of The 50 Best Snacks For Weight Loss!
The Grilled Chicken Sandwich is also the go-to for Christine Palumbo, MBA, RDN, FAND. “The last time I needed a quick and delicious lunch at Chick-fil-A, I ordered one. I felt good about it with the lettuce, tomato and multi grain bun, but I left the BBQ sauce off it to avoid all the sugar it contains. The sandwich clocks in at a respectable 320 calories, a satiating 30 grams of protein, and five grams of fat.”
Same for Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN, founder of Family. Food. Fiesta, who likes the Grilled Chicken Sandwich or the Grilled Chicken Nuggets. “To get nutrient-dense fruits or vegetables in your meal, you can pair these items with a fruit cup, hearty bowl of chicken soup (a medium-size has 140 calories), or a side salad.”
Eat This Tip!: “When perusing the menu for lower-calorie options, look for items that are grilled and focus on including colors on your plate from fruits or vegetables,” advises Koszyk. But not every chain is as healthy as Chick-fil-A: discover which chain restaurant sandwich has the calorie equivalent of 13 KFC drumsticks (!!!) in our exclusive new list—with videos of each: The 10 Most Unhealthiest Sandwiches in America 2015.
Mouthwatering Meal #1
The Grilled Nuggets Kids Meal with Sides
Palumbo circled back with another calorie-cutting idea—and, despite being promoted for young ones, it tops our list as the perfect meal. “I’d go for an order of the Grilled Nuggets Kids Meal, which clocks in at a modest 100 calories but manages to pack in 17 grams of protein and only 400 mg sodium,” she says. “I’d also order a side salad with Light Italian dressing, a fruit cup and a milk. Altogether, this meal has a similar amount of calories”—340—“as the sandwich but with a little more variety!”
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