7 Healthy (Almost) Vegan Fast Food Meals!

How to Eat Well, Choose Compassion, and Stay Plant-Based on the Go

Jun 25, 2025

Fast food has a reputation for being greasy, salty, and everything a plant-based diet tries to avoid. But as awareness grows about the benefits of eating less meat, for our bodies, the planet, and the animals, some mainstream chains are offering surprisingly vegan-friendly options.

While few are perfect, these seven healthy (almost) fast food meals can keep you energized and aligned with your ethics, even on a busy day.

1. Chipotle Vegan Bowl with Sofritas or Beans

Chipotle’s customizable bowls are a lifesaver. Opt for brown rice, black or pinto beans, fajita veggies, corn salsa, lettuce, and guacamole. Skip the cheese, sour cream, and honey vinaigrette.

Why it works: Packed with fiber and plant protein, this meal is filling and completely animal-free. It proves that veganism can be both nutritious and delicious without compromise.

2. Taco Bell Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme (Al Fresco)

Order it with black beans instead of beef, then remove the cheese and sour cream. Ask for it al fresco to get fresh pico de gallo instead.

Why it works: This handheld wrap is filling, spicy, and customizable. It is a great choice for someone transitioning to plant-based eating and shows that vegan meals can hit every craving.

3. Burger King Impossible Whopper (No Mayo)

Hold the mayo, and you have a fully plant-based burger. If you are strict, request it be microwaved to avoid meat grill contamination.

Why it works: It is not health food, but it is proof that plant-based is going mainstream. This burger’s popularity shows the demand for meat-free meals is real and growing.

4. Panda Express Vegetable Spring Rolls and Super Greens

Panda now offers vegetable spring rolls and a side of steamed cabbage, broccoli, and kale called Super Greens. Avoid sauces with oyster extract.

Why it works: It is a light, veggie-packed combo that balances crunchy and savory without meat or dairy. A quick option that aligns with your animal-free values.

5. Five Guys Cajun Fries

While not low calorie, Five Guys Cajun fries are made from whole potatoes and cooked in 100 percent peanut oil. No meat products share the fryer.

Why it works: It is a better indulgent option than fries cooked in animal fat. If you are going to splurge, do it without harming animals.

6. Starbucks Steel Cut Oatmeal with Nuts and Fruit

Order plain oatmeal and top with the nut mix, dried fruit, and banana. Ask for plant-based milk or water.

Why it works: A warm, filling, and completely vegan breakfast that proves plant-based eating does not have to be complicated.

7. Panera Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich (Modified)

Swap the feta for extra hummus or avocado and choose a vegan bread like sourdough.

Why it works: With crisp cucumbers, greens, peppers, and hummus, this sandwich becomes fresh and cruelty-free with just a couple of tweaks.

Summary: Can These Meals Be Truly Vegan?

Yes. When ordered with a few easy modifications, all seven meals can be made entirely plant-based. Here is a quick reference:

This means you can stay true to your values even in the drive-thru. No excuses, no animal ingredients, no compromise.

A Note on “Healthy (Almost)”

None of these is perfect, however. Sodium is high, and oils are used liberally. But perfection is not the point. These meals offer better choices than their meat-laden counterparts and show that veganism is not about deprivation. It is about intention.

Why It Matters: Eating for More Than Health

Choosing vegan fast food is about more than just nutrition. Every time you opt for a plant-based meal, you are voting against cruelty. Billions of animals are confined, mutilated, and slaughtered for food every year. Even a single meatless meal helps reduce demand for this suffering.

It is also a climate act. Animal agriculture is a leading driver of deforestation, methane pollution, and freshwater depletion. A plant-based meal has a far lighter footprint. No antibiotics, no factory farming, no emissions from ruminants like cows.

And then there is health. Plant-based eaters tend to have lower rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. Eating more plants is not radical. It is rational.

Final Thoughts

Fast food is not always ideal, but it does not have to derail your ethics or your health. These almost vegan meals show how the world is changing. When you choose compassion, even in a drive-thru line, you are part of a larger movement that is building a healthier, kinder, more sustainable world.

Further Reading