If you are specifically going to Wendy’s becuase you want a Wendy’s Burger or Wendy’s French fries here is what I would order:

• Although I would avoid a burger at Wendy’s because of all the other great options – If you really want a burger go with a  junior. You would be surprised how quickly calories, fat and saturated fat add up on a 1/4 pounder.
• If you’re looking for chicken fingers – have the 4 pack! Remember, anything you dip those fingers in will have calories coming mainly from sugar. Stick to one side sauce.
• If you love Wendy’s fries and you’ve made the trip just to have your beloved fries- go with the kids meal size. Again, the small is not so small at all.

If you’ve just ended up at Wendy’s because it’s convenient- this is the time to try to stick to the healthier side of things. Don’t have fries or a burger just because it’s in front of you and you can smell it. Hard to do I know, but there are other healthy options here. Save your burger and french fry treat for when you really, really want it and make sure it’s a burger and french fry that you love. I personally save up for Swiss Chalet French Fries.

• If you’re having a salad at Wendy’s to be “healthy” be very careful of all the extra side packages that come with it! One package of Caesar salad dressing alone has 125 calories and 13 grams fat, the Oriental dressing has 170 calories and 10 grams of fat. A great idea is to half everything that comes on the side of your salad. 1/2 your dressing package, 1/2 the nuts that come with the oriental salad and if you must have the won-ton crisps, cut these in half too! Doing this alone will save you over 200 calories and 12 grams of fat.
• Go for something different! The chili at Wendy’s is great, high in fiber and low in fat and calories.
• Have a baked potato- but know that this is one BIG baked potato. Cut it in half. And remember anything you put on this potato will add up. 1 pkg of Reduced Fat Sour Cream is 45 calories, 1 buttery spread is 50 calories. Your looking at 140 calories for bacon bits with 11 grams of fat (4 of which are saturated)
• If you want something sweet at Wendy’s a junior frosty is the way to go. Like McDonald’s ice cream, the frosty is made with ice milk. Just be sure to stick to the junior size. As soon as you hit the “small’ size you’ve almost doubled the calories and fat of the junior.

If I missed one of your favorite fast food restaurants – feel free to comment or email me. I’ll be sure to use your request next time I post about fast food.