Whether it is a fitness goal you’re trying to achieve or looking to maintain a lean figure, proteins are part of the diet staple these days. On top of that, it takes a sheer amount of hard work, a consistent exercise routine, and deliberate planning to achieve your fitness goals. Although we aren’t direct advocates of exercise and fitness, we understand the importance of both in every person’s life. After all, Blink is about making the right choices as a restaurateur looking to expand their business or just an ordinary person on the prowl for healthy food. Today, speaking of healthy food, we will talk about the importance of high protein fast food. There’s no harm or shame in consuming fast food with a side of condiments. Everyone does it these days. Some people love fast food to the extent that their body goes to a tipping point where weight maintenance becomes an issue.Â
Others consume fast food every once in a while to not deteriorate from their long-term fitness goals.Â
Since proteins are essential to muscle growth and reduced-fat aggregation, are there good quality vs. bad quality proteins? And in terms of high protein fast food, which type of fast food is right for you?
Good High Protein Fast Food Vs. Bad Protein: Is It a Myth Or a Fact?
All of the questions, as mentioned earlier, are important. Proteins do not vary so much in quality compared to carbohydrates and saturated fats. But then again, there’s a smidge of a difference between the type of proteins and the actual source of proteins.Â
So, when we say that as long as it is the correct type of high-protein fast food consumed in moderation, it could be interpreted into many things.Â
Back in the late ’90s, you might be able to recall the Atkins Diet fad. This diet was ideal for people with day jobs or odd office timings, folks who could not dedicate a lot of time to daily workout regimens at their gym. Essentially, any Atkins Diet consisting of clean food with high protein and low carb meal plans was good.Â
While looking for reliable high-protein fast food sources, you can’t completely overlook the importance of an exercise routine. However, much later, it was determined by the researchers at The Nutrition Business Journal Co. that taking high-quality proteins is equally important as any high-intensity workout. Both aspects of this equation go hand in hand.Â
If you cannot keep up with your fitness goals, such as X percentage of weight loss in Y number of months, despite relying on high protein fast food, you need to hit the gym. If going to a gymnasium isn’t a plausible option, then make sure you are doing cardio or some strenuous workout at home – and that too daily.Â
Are There Other Sources of Protein Except High Protein Fast Food?
There are many other reliable sources of high-quality protein.Â
No, we’re not talking about homemade meals or breakfast menus with a side of oatmeal. We’re talking about industry-manufactured protein supplements and protein powders. Of course, some of them adversely affect the kidneys if they’re not taken in moderation. Others might be of low quality. But as long as it is an FDA-approved protein supplement coming from a reliable company, you have nothing to worry about.Â
The good thing about protein powders compared to high-protein fast food is that there are no condiments in the former case. The fat amount is almost non-existent, and the same goes for carbs, saturated fatty residue, sugar, and vice versa.
We have eggs, fish, and beef to count on natural protein sources in fast food options. The Department of Commerce in the U.S. reportedly suggested that the consumption of beef and fish increased by 25% during 1998 – 2004.Â
Meanwhile, the National Cattleman’s Beef Association reported beef consumption of up to 4.5% during the same timeline.Â
But, here’s an important thing to consider if you are thinking of eating beef burgers as a direct source of high-protein fast food.Â
Not all kinds of beef are the same – or so people thought, long before nutritionists and researchers dug further into the topic. A cheeseburger made from any beef and a lean sirloin steak does not induce the same effect on the human body. Sure, the cheeseburger may taste better, but it doesn’t interpret the amount and the quality of the protein you’d expect from a high-protein fast-food menu. Choosing a high-protein meal delivery service is better in this context, as you get high-quality ingredients that bring the benefits of home-cooked food from a nutrition perspective, combined with the convenience of fast food. It’s just a case of convincing enough people to take the plunge, and up their protein intake healthily.
70% of the U.S population is struggling with obesity. Without delaying it any further, let’s look at some of the best high-protein fast food.Â
4 High Protein Fast Food Meals You Should Try At a Restaurant
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McDonald’s Double Quarter Pounder, With or Without Cheese
The Double Quarter Pounder without Cheese comes with 48g of protein. That’s roughly equivalent to two scoops of high-quality protein powder. In the latter case, your body won’t be absorbing the extra 740 calories and 42 grams of carbs.Â
If you want to buy a Big Mac or McDonald’s Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, add 43 grams of carbohydrates to the menu. The Big Mac has 25g of protein and weighs 550 calories. Although its protein count is less than the Double Quarter Pounder, the number of fats and carbohydrates is also not significant. So, if you were to take our advice on high protein fast food, we’d recommend the Big Mac.Â
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McDonald’s Quarter Pounder With Cheese But No Ketchup
On a separate note, if you’re craving a quarter pounder with a relatively clean conscience, then The Quarter Pounder with Cheese is a better choice.Â
We are looking at 500C, with only 26G of saturated fat and 30G of proteins. These burgers are more of a cornerstone menu item for once in a while, kind of high protein fast food meal. Instead of a Quarter Pounder, people who desire a sandwich can make one at their home.Â
The recipe requires the same ingredients, but you swap them with sandwich bread instead of burger buns. The good thing about a Quarter Pounder Sandwich is that it only has 350 calories, induces a full stomach feeling, and comes with 32 grams of protein.
If you’re wondering why we haven’t made mention of any tomato ketchup, that’s because ketchup has high amounts of sodium. It is an ideal substance for underweight people as your body can retain water rather quickly. However, high sodium diet also leads to increased chances of high blood pressure. Therefore, avoid Salt and Ketchup as much as possible.Â
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Burger King’s Bacon King
Ain’t nothing like waking up to the smell of fresh bacon in the morning. But, if you don’t have a bacon machine or the tenacity to rustle up some sort of bacon breakfast in the morning, you can snag one at your local Burger King branch.
The Bacon King burger comes with 2100 calories, 70G protein, and 93G fat.Â
It’s the perfect high-protein fast food meal for anyone looking for a wholesome lunch or breakfast menu. Considering the caloric intake, you should only stick with one Bacon King burger without any soft drinks or ketchup. Two thousand one hundred calories are ideal for a day’s worth of sustenance to human bodies. Going overboard with extra calories in any form will result in additional weight and long-term obesity.Â
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Burger King’s Bacon Double Cheeseburger Without Ketchup and Fries
Although the ketchup and fries combo takes the sting out of any burger, we recommend doing so to maintain a guilt-free diet.Â
Coming in hot at 390 calories, 21 grams of fat, and 24 grams of protein, the Bacon Double Cheeseburger is a decent substitute for anyone thinking of his ideal high-protein fast food menu on a cheat day. Of course, anything we mention or talk about in this post is only to be consumed fortnightly. Repeating the same diet will hinder your fitness or ongoing weight loss goals.
4 Highest Protein Fast Foods in 2023 that you can enjoy under 500 calories
1. Highest Protein KFC Menu Item
2. Highest Protein Subway Fast Food Menu Item: Chicken Bacon Ranch Melt
3. Highest Protein Starbucks Menu Item: Pistachio Latte
4. Arby’s Roast Chicken Entrée Salad
Word of Caution
In all honesty, high-protein fast food meals are not recommended to be consumed daily. The reason is the accompanying carbs, saturated and trans fat that come with the high protein amount. Halfway through their fitness goals, people know that protein without fats and minimum calories are the ideal goals each day.
If you are craving burgers, sandwiches, and a little bit of extra food on the side, do so during your cheat meal days. In the end, consistency in your diet and exercise program will earn you that V-tapered physique.