The 20 Best High-Protein Fast Food Meals You Can Eat

C'mon, we're hitting the drive-thru

By Taryn Pire

•

Updated Jun 20, 2025

Nutritionally reviewed by

Dr. Felicia D. Stoler, DCN, MS, RDN

best high protein fast food meals: mcdonald's mcdouble, mcnuggets, fries and coke on a table

The Washington Post/Contributor/Getty Images

In a perfect world, I'd cook an Insta-worthy spread for breakfast, lunch and dinner alike. But fast food is often a more realistic, reliable way to get a satiating meal in a flash when I don't have the time (or motivation). Luckily, there are plenty of restaurants with options that offer a boost of protein—not just refined carbs. From the McDonald's McDouble to Taco Bell's Burrito Supreme to Starbucks's convenient protein boxes, there are tasty choices for every preference.

Here, you'll find 20 of the best high-protein fast food meals from some of the most popular chains around, plus tips from Dr. Felicia Stoler, DCN, a registered dietician, nutritionist and exercise physiologist, about how to keep yourself energized and full as nutritiously as possible—even in the drive-thru line.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Felicia Stoler, DCN, is a registered dietitian, nutritionist and exercise physiologist. She's the author of Living Skinny in Fat Genes: The Healthy Way to Lose Weight and Feel Great and the former host of TLC's Honey, We're Killing the Kids.

A Guide to Eating High-Protein Fast Food Meals

According to the current dietary guidelines set by the USDA, it’s best to eat protein from a variety of sources, like lean poultry and meat, seafood, legumes, nuts and seeds. The exact amount you should consume varies depending on your age, sex, height, weight and physical activity level, but about 7 grams for every 20 pounds of bodyweight is a general guide.

It may seem that there's a major emphasis on consuming animal protein to stay full, but Stoler reminds us of the importance of diversifying your diet—and that there are other macronutrients that can satisfy your appetite.

"Protein energy malnutrition has not been a problem in the U.S. for more than 50 years," Stoler says. "With so much attention on protein, most people are not consuming enough fiber, which is only found in plants and so important for gut health. Plant-based foods have amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein."

That said, most fast food menus star meat, so if you need to hit the drive-thru on a busy night, don't panic. "The healthiest type of protein isn't fried, covered in breading or swimming in mayonnaise or salad dressing," says Stoler as a rule of thumb. "Look for foods that have proteins that aren't fried. Think chicken, beef, pork, turkey, beans and cheese, fish and seafood, nuts, seeds and eggs. McDonald's, Chick-Fil-A and Starbucks all have yogurt, so I think including those as sources of protein shows more variety than simply chicken or beef."

She doesn't often eat at fast food chains, but salads are her go-tos when she does. "People can bring a packet or can of tuna or salmon and add that to a commercially packaged salad to boost protein," she suggests. "Also, if you're the type of person who works around their plate, one item at a time, eat the protein first, then the veggies and/or grains last, [since] protein helps one feel full."