Fast food is not usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think about healthy eating or weight loss. In many cases, it is something people try to avoid when they are working toward their wellness goals. However, real life does not always go according to plan. Busy schedules, travel days, family activities, and last-minute changes can make a drive-through meal the most practical option.
That does not mean your day has to be thrown off. With the right choices, you can still enjoy a quick meal while staying mindful of your Weight Watchers points. This Weight Watchers Fast Food guide highlights better options at popular fast-food restaurants, along with higher-point choices you may want to skip. Use it when you need something convenient, filling, and easier to fit into your daily points budget.
McDonald’s Weight Watchers Points
McDonald’s offers more Weight Watchers-friendly choices than you might expect, especially if you keep your order simple. For breakfast, two scrambled eggs are 0 points, while an order of hash browns is 4 points. If you want something more filling, an Egg McMuffin is 8 points. Pairing it with hash browns gives you a complete breakfast for 12 points.
For lunch or dinner, a 6-piece order of McNuggets with a small fries comes to 14 points. If you prefer a meal with more volume, the Southwest Salad with grilled chicken and creamy dressing is 7 points. It is one of the better choices when you want a quick lunch that feels more balanced without using too many points.
Best Order For the Value of Your Points:
Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken and Creamy Dressing. 7 WW points.
What to Avoid at McDonald’s:
Big Mac Combo Meal. 40 WW points.
Wendy’s Weight Watchers Points
Wendy’s has several options that can work well when you are tracking points. The chili is a smart choice if you want something warm, hearty, and higher in protein. A small chili is 5 points, which leaves room to add another side or a salad if you need a more satisfying meal.
A full-size Strawberry Mango Chicken Salad is 10 points, making it a strong option for a filling fast-food lunch. If you are craving a burger, the Jr. Hamburger with a small fries totals 16 points. The Crispy Chicken Sandwich is 11 points, and you can add a side salad with croutons and ranch for 8 points while still keeping the meal under 20 points.
Best Order For the Value of Your Points:
Small Chili. 5 WW points.
Full-Size Strawberry Mango Chicken Salad. 10 WW points.
What to Avoid at Wendy’s:
The Baconator. 35 WW points.
Taco Bell Weight Watchers Points
Taco Bell is known more for affordable fast food than healthy eating, but there are still ways to make it fit into a Weight Watchers plan. One of the best low-point options is the chicken soft taco at just 4 points. You could order three chicken soft tacos and still stay under 15 points, which makes it a practical lunch option when you need something quick.
If you prefer a larger meal, the Fiesta Taco Salad with grilled chicken is 16 points and can be a filling choice. As with many fast-food meals, toppings, sauces, and larger portions can quickly raise the total, so it helps to keep your order focused.
Best Order For the Value of Your Points:
Soft Taco with Chicken. 4 WW points.
What to Avoid at Taco Bell:
Fiesta Taco Salad Nachos. 40 WW points.
Craving healthier Taco Bell? Check out this Copycat Spicy Potato Soft Taco.
Sonic Weight Watchers Points
Sonic can work for a lower-point meal if you choose carefully. A meal with three crispy chicken tenders for 6 points, mini tots for 4 points, and a diet cherry limeade for 1 point gives you a fun drive-in style lunch for 11 points total. Just pay attention to dips and sauces, because a small ranch sauce adds 4 points.
Sonic can also be useful for a quick snack. Their soft pretzel is 8 points, which may fit into your day if you have room. For a more traditional meal, the Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad is 10 points and offers a better value than many heavier menu items.
Best Order For the Value of Your Points:
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad. 10 WW points.
3 Crispy Tenders and Mini Tots. 10 WW points.
What to Avoid at Sonic:
Sonic Double Patty Melt. 41 WW points.
Whataburger Weight Watchers Points
At Whataburger, smaller portions are usually the best way to keep your points under control. A Whataburger Jr. is 9 points, which is lower than the Grilled Chicken Sandwich at 11 points. If you want a side, the onion rings are 9 points, while the fries are 13 points.
Another option is the Buffalo Ranch Grilled Chicken Salad at 11 points. Pairing it with hash brown sticks for 6 points gives you a meal that stays under 20 points. The key at Whataburger is to avoid large combo meals, which can use up a major portion of your daily points.
Best Order For the Value of Your Points:
Whataburger Jr. with Hash Brown Sticks. 15 WW points.
What to Avoid at Whataburger:
Patty Melt Meal. 67 WW points.
Craving healthier Whataburger? Check out this copycat Patty Melt.
Burger King Weight Watchers Points
When ordering at Burger King, simple meals are usually easier to manage. A hamburger with small French fries comes to 18 points. If you have more points available, a bacon cheeseburger with medium fries totals 23 points.
If you want a lighter option, the Bacon Cheddar Ranch Grilled Chicken Salad with dressing is 14 points. It gives you a fast-food meal with more volume while staying lower than many burgers and combo meals.
Best Order For the Value of Your Points:
Bacon Cheddar Ranch Grilled Chicken Salad. 14 WW points.
What to Avoid at Burger King:
Texas Double Whopper. 68 WW points.
Hardee’s Weight Watchers Points
Hardee’s has some menu items that can be surprisingly high in points, so it is important to check your choices before ordering. A small sausage biscuit is 24 points, and the breakfast platter with sausage is 34 points.
There are still better options available. Hand-breaded chicken tenders are 7 points, and a small hamburger is 9 points. For breakfast, the Frisco Breakfast Sandwich is 12 points, while hash rounds add 11 points. Choosing smaller items and skipping heavier platters can help keep your meal more manageable.
Best Order For the Value of Your Points:
Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders with Small Fries. 16 WW points.
What to Avoid at Hardee’s:
Breakfast Platter with Sausage. 34 WW points.
Chick-Fil-A Weight Watchers Points
Chick-Fil-A has several choices that can fit well into a Weight Watchers plan. The Egg White Grill is 7 points, making it a useful breakfast option. If you want to keep your meal especially low, the grilled chicken nuggets are 0 points. Pair them with a small waffle fry for 10 points, and you have a filling meal that still feels like fast food.
For breakfast, chicken minis with hash browns come to 19 points. A regular Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich is 13 points, and you can pair it with a side salad or fruit cup if you want something more balanced. Be mindful of sauces, as they can add points quickly.
Best Order For the Value of Your Points:
Grilled Chicken Nuggets with Small Fries. 10 WW points.
What to Avoid at Chick-Fil-A:
Chick-Fil-A Sauce. 6 WW points per packet.
Popeyes Weight Watchers Points
Popeyes may not seem like an obvious place for a lower-point meal, but there are some solid choices. Five blackened handcrafted tenders are only 3 points. Add red beans and rice for 5 points and cole slaw for another 5 points, and you have a large meal for 13 points total.
If you want something more indulgent, popcorn shrimp is 13 points and Cajun fries are 9 points. Those choices can still fit into your day if you plan ahead, but the blackened tenders offer the best value for your points.
Best Order For the Value of Your Points:
Blackened Handcrafted Tenders with Red Beans and Rice and Cole Slaw. 13 WW points.
What to Avoid at Popeyes:
Homestyle Mac and Cheese. 40 WW points.
Arby’s Weight Watchers Points
Arby’s has a few lower-point sandwiches that can work when you need a quick meal. The Jr. Deluxe Sandwich is 8 points, and the Turkey and Cheese Sandwich is 6 points. Roast beef sliders are 5 points each, so you can order a couple and still keep the total reasonable.
If you want a classic Arby’s meal, the Classic Roast Beef Sandwich is 12 points. Add a small curly fries for 7 points, and your meal totals 19 points. It is not the lowest option, but it can still fit if you plan the rest of your day around it.
Best Order For the Value of Your Points:
Turkey and Cheese Sandwich with Small Curly Fries. 13 WW points.
What to Avoid at Arby’s:
Small order of 4 Mozzarella Sticks. 15 WW points.
Use this Weight Watchers Fast Food guide the next time you need a quick meal and want to stay mindful of your points. Planning ahead, choosing smaller portions, and watching sauces and sides can make a big difference when eating fast food on Weight Watchers.
And if you are looking for healthy meal ideas, be sure to check out this collection of Weight Watchers recipes.