The f word. I know what you’re thinking, but that’s not what I’m talking about it. The f word I’ve got on the brain is greasy, delicious, and highly addictive – food. There’s no denying it. Drinking makes us hungry. We begin most nights out looking to have a good time with our friends, but somehow we always end up in the Cookout drive-thru, impatiently waiting to devour our chicken quesadillas and slurp our milkshakes up through a frozen straw.
Does it have to be this way, though? The problem might seem simply too tough to tackle. Eating healthy can be difficult, particularly in the drunken early hours of the morning. Most of us can agree that what’s fun trumps what’s healthy. So, how can we compromise? Your friends at Garnet & Black are here to help. We have compiled a late-night healthy eating guide to assist you in making the right decision… even after a few drinks.
1. Pita Pit
Hours: Monday-Wednesday until 2:30, Thursday-Saturday until 3
Want all of the deliciousness of a sandwich or quesadilla but without the carbs? Sure, maybe I sound like advertisement, but if your answer was yes, then Pita Pit really is the late-night place for you. Here, you have the option of either a wheat pita or a white pita. You can get a meat pita, veggie pita, or even a breakfast pita (at all hours of the night). There really is something for everyone. Mix and match toppings makes for the ultimate form of customization. Try the Philly cheesesteak – I promise you won’t be disappointed. At 350 calories, it falls in the middle of the pack of meat pitas. The turkey pita has just 290 calories, making it the healthiest calorie-wise. If you’re looking for something with low sodium, go for the buffalo chicken or plain chicken breast. Each has just 630 mg of sodium compared to the 690 mg in the Philly cheesesteak and the 1350 mg in the turkey. Are you a vegetarian? If you are or even if you’re just on a quest for a clean late-night snack, you’re definitely in luck here. There isn’t a single veggie pita that goes over 420 calories. The Garden Pita has 200 calories – less than a medium order of fries at McDonald’s.
2. McDonald’s
Hours: 24 hours
Shocked to see McDonald’s on this list? I was definitely surprised to find myself adding it. McDonald’s is one of the few places open at all hours of the night, but is it truly possible to make a healthy decision? Like many places, it is all about what you order. Not every item on the menu has the same caloric value as a Big Mac. Ordering three double quarter pounders might sound enticing at 3 a.m., but that’s probably not your best bet. Luckily, Mickey D’s has a variety of foods to choose from. Opt for a Grilled Chicken Ranch Snack Wrap, Egg White Delight, six piece McNuggets, or small vanilla ice cream cone. A plain hamburger has just 250 calories. Is there any better fix for a drunken craving than a burger? I’d be willing to bet you’re probably going to be hankering for some fries to go with the burger, but just keep portions in mind. A kid’s order of fries has only 100 calories, compared to the 500 in a large order.
3. Wendy’s
Hours: Till 2 am
Now that the Wendy’s on Assembly has been transformed into a five-star dining arena, it’s time we put it to use for our intoxicated excursions. Like McDonald’s, Wendy’s is a restaurant where some menu items will definitely cause you some heartache. But if healthy eating truly is the goal, then you have to do your best to ignore the urge to order a Baconator. The Baconator has a whopping 940 calories. That’s just about half of what the USDA estimates a person age 21-25 needs in an entire day. Instead, try the Jr. Cheeseburger or Ultimate Chicken Grill. The Jr. Cheeseburger is 290 calories. Not too bad, right? I can’t think of anything much tastier than cheese after a night of shenanigans. If you’re craving something sweet, treat yourself to a Junior Frosty! At only 160 calories and 4 grams of fat, it’s actually one of the best options on the entire menu.
4. Sonic
Hours: 24 hours
How can a place this delicious be open 24 hours? Sonic was made to satisfy the late-night cravings that intensify with every downed drink. The menu is absolutely overwhelming, though, and it is hard to know what the healthiest options are. Sonic is worse than some of the other restaurants on this list, so it’s absolutely essential to understand how to make a good decision in the face of temptation. The Junior burger and chicken strip snack are both great choices – each will fill you up but ensure that your belt buckle doesn’t need loosening. Sitting at approximately one-third of the calories of the Sonic Bacon Double Cheeseburger, the Junior burger has 330 calories and 6 grams of saturated fat. The vanilla dish is the perfect accommodation for any of you with a sweet tooth. It has 240 calories. Craving a cone? The vanilla cone has just 10 more calories than the dish.
5. Jimmy John’s
Hours: 3 am.
After a night in Five Points, this is the prime location for a wholesome snack. Sandwiches are yummy and good for you all at the same time. But the more you stuff on a sandwich, the unhealthier it gets. Try and play it safe in the extra meat and cheese department. Ordering wheat bread instead of white is always a go-to move when you’re trying to keep a clean diet. Lots of us love mayo, and most might have trouble saying no completely. If you fall into this category, you should try lite mayonnaise. It’s much healthier, and there is hardly any taste difference. That being said, cutting out the mayo altogether trims over 100 calories off the sandwich. My personal favorite? The Turkey Tom. When ordered with wheat bread, easy turkey, and no mayonnaise, the sandwich has 380 calories. The carbohydrates and protein are certain to leave you full and satisfied, but the lack of grease will ensure you finish your food guilt-free. Feeling a bit adventurous? Try an Unwich – Jimmy John’s version of a lettuce wrap. Swapping a lettuce wrap for wheat or white bread shaves close to 300 calories off
