Healthy Food on the Go

Even though, more than 30 percent of American men and women are obese, you will be hard pressed to find healthy fast food options. A Caesar salad with crispy chicken and dressing from McDonald's can run you approximately 520 calories. But there is a growing trend of restaurants offering food that is moderate in calories, low in salt and sugar - that you would actually want to try.

Love Your Food Everyday - also known as Lyfe Kitchen -- will be opening in Palo Alto this summer, and several other locations in Northern California. You won't find any high fructose corn syrup, butter or cream on the menu. And nothing is fried - even the sweet potato fries are baked. All the menu items are 600 calories or less. The restaurant is fast-casual format, similar to Chipotle or Panera, where food is made to order quickly. The restaurant is the collaboration of two former McDonald's employees and Oprah's former personal chef.

Based out of Orlando, Florida, Seasons 52 offers upscale casual dining based on farm-to-table healthy food. In fact, the menu changes based on what is in season. The restaurant caps its entrees at 450 calories. The restaurant has locations in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Texas. They offer a variety of healthy fare, as well as vegetarian and vegan options. While local restaurants with farm-to-table cuisine aren't unheard of, this restaurant has been able to replicate the concept in various geographically distinct areas.

Energy Kitchen in New York is taking an upscale approach to healthy eating. According to the website, "the best way to stay fit is with healthy meals and monitoring your caloric intake". Therefore, the fast-casual restaurant offers low calorie (under 500 calories) meals. Regular soda is not even on the menu. This isn't your regular drive-through fare - at the Energy Kitchen, you can find ostrich burger, or a tex-mex bison wrap, alongside beef burgers and chicken sandwiches. You can choose spinach (instead of fries) as a side.
In the past ten years or so, it has become easier to find healthier fast food choices - with popular chains offering salads, as well as healthier alternatives to fries and soda. Most fast food restaurants have eliminated their use of trans fat. Although it is required in few states including New York and California, Panera Bread has taken steps to list their calorie count on their menu in each of their locations. Chipotle - formerly owned by McDonald's - advertises its use of "better-for-you" ingredients.

Photo by Martin Cathrae