Jack (from Jack in the Box), Dave (from Wendy's) and the Colonel (from KFC) must stay up nights thinking of new foods to add to their menus, because each new year brings more fast-food options.
Some of the products come and go as quick as you can say, "McLean Deluxe." But others, like Homestyle Chicken Strips, stay around and become permanent fast-food fare. I remember the day when the nugget had no chicken competition.
There have been so many changes at the major fast-food chains this year that I can hardly keep up! Lots of salads are now available, and there are a few more sandwiches and wraps to choose from. Even the die-hard pizza chains are making changes -- there's a "skinny" crust at Round Table Pizza now.
Just so we all know what's out there now, I went through the fast-food nutrition guides, made a few phone calls, and rounded up some of the newer items that have some nutritional merit. Take a look, and the next time you drive through one of these fast-food chains' windows, you might have something new to look forward to!
McDonald's
| New Item | Calories | Total fat (g) | % calories from fat | Saturated fat (g) | Cholesterol (mg) | Sodium (mg) | Fiber (g) |
| McVeggie Burger (in some areas) | 350 | 8 | 20% | 2 | 0 | 1,200 | 8 |
| Fruit 'n Yogurt Parfait (with granola) | 160 | 2 | 11% | 1 | 5 | 85 | <1 |
| Vanilla reduced-fat ice-cream cone | 150 | 4.5 | 27% | 3 | 20 | 75 | 0 |
| *Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad | 250 | 10 | 36% | 4.5 | 85 | 930 | 3 |
| *Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad | 200 | 6 | 27% | 3 | 70 | 820 | 3 |
| *Grilled Chicken California Cobb Salad | 270 | 11 | 36% | 5 | 145 | 1,060 | 3 |
| *California Cobb Salad (no chicken) | 150 | 9 | 54% | 4.5 | 85 | 410 | 3 |
*Salad information does not include dressing. To add 1/2 packet of low-fat balsamic vinaigrette, add 20 calories, 1.5 g fat, 0 g saturated fat and fiber, 0 mg cholesterol, and 375 mg sodium. Beware of the creamy Caesar dressing, with 190 calories and 18 g fat per packet.
Burger King
| New Item | Calories | Total fat (g) | % calories from fat | Saturated fat (g) | Cholesterol (mg) | Sodium (mg) | Fiber (g) |
| BK Veggie (made with reduced fat mayo) | 330 | 10 | 27% | 2 | 0 | 930 | 4 |
| Fire-Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad with Fat-Free Ranch Dressing | 230 | 7 | 27% | 3 | 50 | 1,280 | 2 |
| Fire-Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad with Fat-Free Ranch Dressing | 220 | 10 | 41% | 3.5 | 120 | 1,280 | 2 |
| Fire-Grilled Chicken Garden Salad with Fat-Free Ranch Dressing | 250 | 7 | 25% | 3 | 50 | 1,290 | 3 |
| Fire-Grilled Shrimp Garden Salad with Fat-Free Ranch Dressing | 240 | 10 | 37% | 3.5 | 120 | 1,270 | 3 |
KFC
| New Item | Calories | Total fat (g) | % calories from fat | Saturated fat (g) | Cholesterol (mg) | Sodium (mg) | Fiber (g) |
| Oven-Roasted Strips Meal | 420 | 7 | 15% | 2.5 | 90 | 2,410 | 6 |
| Oven-Roasted Twister Wrap without sauce | 320 | 13 | 36% | 4 | 60 | 890 | 0 |
| Chicken breast, w/o skin or breading | 140 | 3 | 19% | 1 | 95 | 410 | 0 |
| Honey BBQ Sandwich | 300 | 6 | 18% | 1.5 | 50 | 640 | 4 |
| Chicken BLT Salad without dressing | 220 | 7 | 29% | 2.5 | 70 | 1,070 | 4 |
| Chicken Caesar Salad without dressing | 240 | 9 | 34% | 5 | 70 | 1,020 | 3 |
| Hidden Valley Fat-Free Ranch, 1 packet | 40 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 370 | 0 |
| Hidden Valley Low-Fat Italian, 1 packet | 40 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 350 | 0 |
Wendy's
| New Item | Calories | Total fat (g) | % calories from fat | Saturated fat (g) | Cholesterol (mg) | Sodium (mg) | Fiber (g) |
| Mandarin Chicken Salad w/crispy noodles, and Low-Fat Honey Mustard Dressing | 370 | 8 | 19% | 2 | 50 | 1,250 | 4 |
| Taco Supremo Salad with salsa (no chips or sour cream) | 390 | 16 | 37% | 8 | 65 | 1,530 | 9 |
| Hamburger Kids Meal with Mandarin oranges and diet soft drink | 350 | 9 | 22% | 3.5 | 30 | 650 | 2 |
NOTE: Do chicken strips beat nuggets in grams of fat and calories? Ten nuggets are about the same size as three chicken strips, but when you compare them ounce-for-ounce, home-style strips have a lower percentage of calories from fat, fewer calories, and less fat overall. Chicken strips get 39% of their calories from fat (19 grams per three strips, weight 159 grams), while nuggets have 57% calories from fat (28 grams per 10 nuggets, 150 grams weight).
Taco Bell
| NOTE: Order the following items "Fresco Style." |
| New Item | Calories | Total fat (g) | % calories from fat | Saturated fat (g) | Cholesterol (mg) | Sodium (mg) | Fiber (g) |
| Grilled Steak Soft Taco | 170 | 5 | 26% | 1.5 | 15 | 560 | 2 |
| Baja-Chicken Gordita | 230 | 6 | 23% | 1 | 25 | 570 | 2 |
| Baja-Beef Gordita | 250 | 9 | 32% | 3 | 20 | 640 | 4 |
| Chicken Burrito Supreme | 350 | 8 | 21% | 2 | 25 | 1,270 | 6 |
| Chicken Enchirito | 250 | 5 | 18% | 1.5 | 25 | 1,230 | 5 |
| Steak Enchirito | 250 | 7 | 25% | 2 | 15 | 1,220 | 6 |
| Tostada | 200 | 6 | 27% | 1 | 0 | 670 | 8 |
Subway
| NOTE: The nutrition breakdown for these sandwiches and salads does not include dressings or cheese. |
| New Item | Calories | Total fat (g) | % calories from fat | Saturated fat (g) | Cholesterol (mg) | Sodium (mg) | Fiber (g) |
| Mediterranean Chicken Salad | 170 | 4.5 | 24% | 2 | 55 | 520 | 5 |
| *Mediterranean Chicken Sandwich | 440 | 16 | 33% | 5 | 60 | 1,170 | 5 |
| *Carne Asada Sandwich | 420 | 11 | 23% | 1 | 80 | 1,400 | 4 |
| Garden Fresh Salad | 60 | 1 | 15% | 0 | 0 | 80 | 5 |
* Information is for 6-inch sandwiches.
Jack in the Box
| New Item | Calories | Total fat (g) | % calories from fat | Saturated fat (g) | Cholesterol (mg) | Sodium (mg) | Fiber (g) |
| Southwest Chicken Fajita Pita | 240 | 3 | 11% | 5 | 40 | 860 | 3 |
| Asian Chicken Salad (no almonds or wonton strips), with 1/2 packet Asian Sesame Dressing | 265 | 9.5 | 32% | 1.2 | 25 | 510 | 6 |
| Natural Cut Fries, small | 270 | 12 | 40% | 3 | 0 | 440 | 3 |