Written by Rebecca

If you’ve recently started working out and are trying to put on more muscle, chances are that you’ve learned how much a good, high-protein meal costs. It can be really expensive, eating out and at home. Here I have compiled a list of my five favorite cheap(ish), high-protein fast food options.

Don’t worry, I’ve included the macros. I also tried to mostly include places that were either on or close to campus for your convenience.

Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets

The grip that these have on me is insane. A dozen of these bad boys are packed with protein at over a 10-calorie to 1-gram ratio– which is typically what you would look for. Crispy, salty, and ultra-portable. I usually munch down on these by themselves, but a small side of mac & cheese will give you the carb boost you need to keep you going, with a better ratio than the fries.

Let’s break it down:

12ct. Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets (with optional M&C)

Calories: 380 (650)

Protein: 40g (52g)

Fat: 17g (34g)

Carbs: 16g (33g)

Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets

The grilled nuggets are incredibly underrated in my opinion. The regular ones can sometimes be pretty dry to me, but these have never been. I will usually get an order of these to toss as extra chicken onto the market salad. Sometimes I just dip them into the avocado lime ranch (which you can get in stores now, by the way). I do prefer to eat these little guys with a fork rather than my hands, though. I have also included the numbers with the mac & cheese in case you want to see it with that!

Let’s have a look:

12ct. Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets (with optional M&C)

Calories: 200 (470)

Protein: 38g (50g)

Fat: 4.5g (21.5g)

Carbs: 2g (19g)

Wendy’s Cobb Salad

To be honest, I love a good salad. I’m always buying those bagged salad kits at the store and eating the whole thing as a snack. I’m so freakish that sometimes I don’t even need dressing. You heard me. Here I have provided it with the numbers for with and without the default dressing. I do love their cheeseburgers more than the salad, just so we are clear.

Let’s check it out:

Wendy’s Cobb Salad (With Dressing)

Calories: 430 (670)

Protein: 36 (37)

Fat: 23 (40)

Carbs: 16 (18)

Panda Express

Panda Express is such a great option when you’re looking for a good calorie-to-protein ratio, while also not having to beg for change afterwards. The entrees are so customizable, and everything tastes so good. There was a time when I was eating Panda every single day for two weeks. You want to get the option with two entrees. For your side, you want to do half steamed rice and half super greens (they’re really not that bad, I swear), then you want both of your entrees to be the grilled teriyaki chicken.

Here’s the macros:

What to call this bowl?

Calories: 795

Protein 73.3

Fat: 25.4

Carbs: 78

Chipotle Burrito Bowl

It could not be a compilation of high protein options without these famous bowls. Below I have my typical order for you– plus the macros for getting the same amount of steak instead of chicken. I usually get double chicken, either rice, black beans, corn salsa, and sour cream. The blandest burrito, I know.

Here you go:

Chicken Burrito Bowl (or Steak)

Calories: 890 (830)

Protein: 81 (59)

Fat: 30 (28)

Carbs: 80 (82)