7 Fantastic Paleo Fast Foods (#3 Is Cheap & Easy!)
Sometimes, you just don’t have time to cook. Often, the hardest part of eating a specialized diet such as Paleo is finding the time to cook, meal prep, and eat according to your guidelines.
Thankfully, there are many great Paleo fast foods that you can pick up while you’re on-the-go. Even if you have to ask them to make some changes to the menu item, you’ll be able to get in a good meal without breaking the bank with these affordable menu items.
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#1: Burger Sans Bun
One of the easiest options for some quick protein is to get a burger without a bun. Many different fast food restaurants can accommodate this option, and some will even wrap the burger in a lettuce wrap for you.
Here are a few specific orders you can try at common fast food restaurants to get in a quick, delicious Paleo meal:
- In ‘N Out: Double-meat protein style mustard instead of spread
- Five Guys: Five Guys’ bacon burger sans bun
- McDonald’s: Double Bacon Burger sans bun
Anytime that you can order a burger without a bun, and with added protein like bacon, you’ve found a good meal that will work for most people who are following a Paleo diet. It’s not always easy to eat Paleo while out, but this option can work.
#2: Spicy Salad Bowl
If you’re a fan of Chipotle-style Mexican food, one great option for Paleo food on the go is a salad bowl from their menu.
Try getting a salad bowl with the following toppings:
- Carnitas
- Peppers
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Hot sauce
- Guacamole
- Salad dressing (optional)
You can add other toppings that fit your personal dietary needs, but this is a good base menu item to get on the go when you need some fast Paleo food.
My favorite salad bowl to get is one with half carnitas and half barbacoa!
#3: Secret Paleo At Panera
Panera actually has many items that can work for Paleo; you just might have to ask them to make some adjustments for it to be perfect for your personal dietary needs.
The go-to option for many Paleo eaters is the steak and egg breakfast. You can also add on something like a chicken hummus salad, which is a good option to get some energy when you’re on the go.
While these options are a little pricey for what you get, it’s better than not eating at all!
#4: Fuel Up At The Market
A great fast food style restaurant for those looking for a quick Paleo meal is Boston Market. This restaurant makes more home-style food that can fit a Paleo diet better than many fast food options.
If you’re stopping in, get a half a chicken with two sides of steamed veggies. This is a great option for Paleo! While you can’t be sure exactly how the chicken was cooked so it might not be 100% Paleo, chances are that this meal will be better than many of your other fast food options.
#5: Hit The Supermarket
While you might not think of the supermarket as a fast food option, many supermarkets now have food sections where you can get a salad, a sandwich, or something else on the go.
The easiest thing to find in this kind of situation is to grab a salad. Most supermarkets with a food section will have Cobb salads or mixed green salads that you can get without dressing. Choose veggies of your choosing, and see if you can add steak or chicken to get the protein boost you need.
You might even be able to get a burger, sans bun, here at the supermarket. Ask the workers when you’re not in a hurry at the supermarket, so you are prepared for the next time you want to stop in and grab a meal.
#6: Make Your Own Salad From The Value Menu
Another good way to get a Paleo meal on the go is to make your own salad. You can do this in a number of ways. Check the value menu at Wendy’s or McDonald’s and see if they have a cheap salad. Order it with no dressing.
Then, order a protein-style (no bun!) burger or grilled chicken sandwich. Rip up this protein and put it on top of your cheap salad. Boom! You have an inexpensive meal that will satisfy you until you can get home and cook.
Subway, McDonald’s, and other fast food options can also have this salad as a potential Paleo option for those who need a fast meal.
#7: Go Grilled With Chicken
Chick-fil-a is a fantastic option for those who are trying to eat a Paleo menu on the go. They actually have numerous things on their menu that you can eat - look for grilled chicken sandwiches without the buns, or check out their salad options.
My personal favorite item from this Paleo-friendly menu are the grilled chicken nuggets! You can even eat the Chick-fil-A sauce if you’re OK with eating soybean oil during this meal. Either way, you can definitely get a meal from this fast food restaurant that won’t ruin your health goals.
Great For A Busy Day
Everybody has those days when they just don’t want to cook, or they simply don’t have the time. On those kind of days, there’s no reason you can’t pick up something quick at a fast food joint. Any of the options listed above are a great filler meal.
Remember that you shouldn’t be defaulting to these fast food options too frequently. Eating these foods every week is not good for your body and will counteract the work that you are doing. Soybean oil, which is technically not Paleo, is the biggest culprit at most of these establishments.
If you don’t think you can do fast food, try these quick recipes instead:
Do you have favorite Paleo fast foods? Let me know in the comments; share this article with Paleo friends!