The Healthiest Foods At Wendy's, According to Nutritionists
1. Baked Potato, Chili & Side Salad
My top picks at Wendy's would be the Plain Baked Potato, and a small Chili to provide a balance of protein and carbs, plus lots of bloat-fighting potassium in the potato. The potato is also a good choice of side because it's low in sodium and high in fiber. A Garden Side Salad would be a decent option if you need to get some veggies into your day—just pick off the croutons and go easy on the dressing.
—Jess Cording, R.D., mbg Collective member
2. Grilled Chicken Wrap
I order the Grilled Chicken Wrap when we go to Wendy's. It's the lightest of their wraps and sandwiches by far, with only 300 calories, 13 g fat, and 720 mg sodium. And it still offers up a decent 20 g of filling protein. It's great as a road-trip snack.
—Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, author of Eating in Color
While this menu has a lot of salad options, be careful! Many are high in sodium, and some of them have trans-fats lurking in the dressing, which lower your good cholesterol while raising your bad cholesterol and contribute to heart disease. I would instead opt for the Grilled Chicken Wrap and ask for extra lettuce to up your fiber intake. This wrap is low in sugar and saturated fat, and by upping the fiber content, you're also helping to keep your heart health in check. Pro tip: Drink a lot of water to counter the bloat you may experience from the excess salt.
—Brigitte Zeitlin, R.D., owner of BZ Nutrition
3. A variety of plant-based sides.
As with all fast-food chains, I personally think it's best to avoid the meat and animal-based products, as they're not high-quality. It can be tricky, though, because the Berry Burst Salad has 29 g of sugar, most of which is added sugar! The American Heart Association recommends that the maximum amount of added sugar we consume per day be 37.5 g for men and 25 g for women. The Berry Burst Salad with as little dressing as possible is an OK choice, but in my opinion, the Garden Side Salad is a better option. That may not be filling enough, though, so consider adding on some plant-based sides like a plain baked potato, apple bites, and fresh strawberries and blueberries.
—Abby Cannon, J.D., R.D., creator of Abby's Food Court
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