Dietitian breaks down high-protein fast food menus, best options
Fast-food chains are leaning into adding more high-protein menu options as customers trying to hit protein goals also become increasingly conscious of affordability amid rising food costs.
Quick service restaurants from burger chains to coffee shops have all made the push towards more protein.
McDonald's unveiled a new menu on Tuesday that visually highlights options with more than 15 grams of protein per serving, such as the Egg McMuffin with 17 grams and the McDouble with 22 grams.
While fast food may be a convenient and economical option for some, dietitians warn that consumers need to be cognizant of total calorie count and other nutrition information.
Starbucks and Dunkin' both have protein-centric beverage menus.
The Seattle-based coffee chain first launched protein lattes and cold foam last September, with a 24-ounce Iced Vanilla Protein Latte that contains 40 grams of protein on the upper end of the scale. The Massachusetts-based Dunkin' rolled out protein milk-enhanced refreshers and other caffeinated drinks earlier this year.
In January, Subway created new Protein Pockets that are packed with more than 20 grams. Chipotle recently debuted protein snack cups that range from 15 to 81 grams.
Registered dietitian Lauren Kremer normally tells clients that 30 to 40 grams of protein per meal is the sweet spot, but with a variety of fast-food chains out there, she told ABC News that people need to consider all the factors.
"My take is that's great if we're not adding a lot of sugar and a ton of caffeine," Kremer said of options like the protein drinks at Starbucks and Dunkin'.
For items like the Protein Pockets, Kremer said she likes it because it has "20 grams of protein and less than 500 calories," which she said is "perfect -- for a meal."
Chipotle has some of the biggest protein-per-meal options, with one item topping out at 81 grams.
"It's also a lot of food here -- maybe 80 grams is perfect for you," Kremer said, adding that she would recommend splitting it with someone. "But -- the ingredients themselves are quite good."
The Food and Drug Administration recommends 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily. For a 150-pound person, that’s about 55 grams per day.
Overconsumption of protein can be hard on the kidneys, especially for someone with preexisting kidney problems.
Ultimately, dietitians like Kremer explain that this becomes a numbers game and fully understanding the amount of protein that's needed for your individual diet and goals.
Ask the question of how much protein do you need and how do you get that protein without consuming too many calories?
There are other small tactics that can help cut down on calories when ordering fast food, such as ordering a burger without the bun.
