7 Crohn’s-Friendly Fast Food Restaurant Picks, From a Dietitian Who Knows

Chances are, you try to cook most of your meals at home if you have Crohn’s disease. But it can be hard to make every single meal, and who doesn’t need to grab a bite on the road every now and then?

Navigating restaurant menus isn’t always easy. Fast food spots in particular tend to be havens for rich, greasy, cheesy fare that may not sit well with your gut. Still, it’s possible to find satisfying options, says Danielle Leffler, RD, a nutrition expert with Crohn’s & Colitis Dietitians who has lived with Crohn’s for two decades.

“Planning ahead can be a great way to decrease stress around mealtime,” she says. “It’s about being able to identify what foods trigger you, since it’s different for everyone with Crohn’s and their state of illness.”

Here, Leffler shares her top Crohn’s-friendly fast food choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a quick snack, along with advice on how to modify your order to best meet your needs.

1. Starbucks Rolled and Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Leffler is a fan of this customizable oatmeal cup for breakfast or a snack. Compared with other fast food breakfast options, it’s lower in saturated fat and added sugars, which can be hard on your stomach, she says.

She recommends asking for the dried fruit add-in and requesting the brown sugar on the side to add your desired amount of sweetness (if you don’t ask for it on the side, it may be added directly to the oatmeal). If you know you can tolerate them, go for the nuts, but if you can’t stomach nuts, skip them.

2. Jamba Juice Protein Berry Workout (Soy) Smoothie

Smoothies can be a good pick for people who have Crohn’s, because blending fruits and vegetables helps break them down and make them easier to digest. This Jamba Juice protein berry soy one in particular is a win for Leffler, because it’s made with soy milk instead of dairy milk, which can sometimes be tough on Crohn’s tummies.

Also nice: You have the option to add extra fruit, veggies, or a shot of soy protein powder, depending on what you’re in the mood for.

3. Pret A Manger Egg White Greek Frittata

“Frittatas are a nice, filling option with protein and veggies to keep you satisfied throughout the day,” Leffler says. The feta and Parmesan topping on this option may be tolerable even if you’re iffy with dairy, because both cheeses are relatively low in lactose.

4. Panera Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup

Broth-based soups — like Panera’s chicken noodle — are usually better than cream-based ones, which tend to be high in lactose and saturated fat, Leffler points out. The chicken provides satisfying lean protein, and the carrots are soft and well cooked, so they’re easy to digest.

One caveat: “The celery can be stringy, so it can be picked out based on an individual’s tolerance,” Leffler says.

5. Pret A Manger Chipotle Chicken Grain Bow

“Salad or grain bowls are another great option,” says Leffler. This way, you can “pick and choose the veggies, sauces, and sides that work best for you,” Leffler says.

This bowl from Pret A Manger features brown rice and quinoa topped with chipotle chicken, corn and black bean salsa, avocado, and leafy greens (if you can tolerate them). “It’s a balanced option with lean protein, healthy fats, and grains. Opt for the leafy greens if they suit you,” she says.

6. Subway Turkey Breast or Tuna Sub

Build-your-own sandwich options are a win for people with Crohn’s, especially the turkey breast or tuna sub from Subway. “They’re lean protein options, so they’re less likely [than higher-fat proteins] to contribute to symptoms,” Leffler says.

She recommends choosing the veggie add-ons that you can tolerate best — for example, lettuce might work better than tomatoes, since the seeds can be tougher to digest. “You can also ask for a smaller portion of cheese and sauces, or omit the cheese, or ask for the sauce on the side,” Leffler adds.

7. Chipotle Tacos

Like Subway’s sandwiches, Chipotle’s build-your-own tacos option gives you the chance to customize your fillings to build tacos that work for you. Leffler recommends choosing a lean protein option, such as chicken, and opting for crunchy corn tortilla shells over soft flour if you’re sensitive to gluten (as many people with Crohn’s are).

“Include brown rice, your beans of choice, and fajita veggies, if you’d like,” she says. Pay attention to the serving size here, too. Although a single order comes with three tacos, “Two might be enough for one person and their gut,” Leffler says. “If so, you can save the third taco for a snack later in the day.”