Smart Diner Slides Smart Diner
How to pick healthy food when you eat out.
The Goal
Feel Better
Good food gives you more energy.
Stay Full
Healthy food keeps you full longer.
"Fast food can be okay. You just have to know what to pick."
Is it Healthy?
Pick these more:
🥗 Salad with grilled chicken
🥔 Plain baked potato
💧 Cup of water
Limit these:
🍟 Large french fries
🥤 Large soda
🍗 Fried chicken nuggets
Look for These
The Burger
Pick the Classic Burger . It is small and simple. Skip the extra cheese.
McDonald's
The Sandwich
Pick 9-Grain Wheat bread. Add lots of veggies. Skip the mayo.
Subway
The Side
Pick a Baked Potato or Apple Slices . Skip the large fries.
Wendy's
Make it Yours
You can ask for changes! This makes your meal healthy.
"No cheese, please."
Cuts fat and calories.
"Extra lettuce instead of rice."
Adds more fresh veggies.
"Sauce on the side."
You decide how much to use.
Menu Search Game
Find the Winner
Look at your guide. What is the healthiest meal at Wendy's ?
Say your answer out loud!
Tip 1: Look for the name of the place.
Tip 2: Look for words like "Grilled" or "Salad".
Menu Search Worksheet Menu Search
Read the clues. Find the healthy food choice.
NAME:
DATE:
Use your Smart Diner Guide to find the best meal. Write the food in the box.
Starbucks
"I want a lunch box with eggs and cheese."
McDonald's
"I want a small, simple burger."
Subway
"I want a turkey sandwich on wheat bread."
Pizza Hut
"I want a veggie pizza with thin crust."
Wendy's
"I want a side of baked potato."
Dunkin'
"I want a wrap with turkey sausage."
Taco Bell
"I want a veggie bowl with beans."
Find them all
Check your guide
Menu Choices Sorting Guide Smart Diner Guide
Best Choices for You
Use this list to help you pick healthy food.
Starbucks
Eggs and Cheddar Box
Chick-fil-A
Market Salad
Taco Bell
Veggie Bowl (no cheese)
Subway
6-inch Turkey Sandwich
McDonald's
Classic Burger
Pizza Hut
Veggie Lover's (Thin Crust)
Wendy's
Chili and Baked Potato
Dunkin'
Wake-Up Wrap
Better Food Sorting
👍 Better Choices
🟢 Grilled or Baked
🟢 Water or Tea
🟢 Side of Fruit
🟢 Thin crust
👎 Limit These
🔴 Fried or Crispy
🔴 Large Soda
🔴 Extra Cheese
🔴 Double Burgers
Practice Yourself:
Write one of your favorite fast food items below. Then, check the box.
Better
Limit
Smart Diner Answer Key Smart Diner Answer Key
Teacher Resource
Menu Search Answers
Starbucks: Eggs and Cheddar Protein Box
McDonald's: Classic Burger
Subway: 6-inch Turkey Breast Sandwich
Pizza Hut: Veggie Lover's (Thin Crust)
Wendy's: Chili and Plain Baked Potato
Dunkin': Wake-Up Wrap (Turkey Sausage)
Taco Bell: Veggie Bowl (No Cheese/Cream)
Healthy Choice Challenge Answers
McDonald's: Classic Burger
Subway: Turkey on Wheat
Wendy's: Chili and Potato
Chick-fil-A: Market Salad
Drinks: Cold Water
Teaching Tips
Empower through customization
Stress that learners can and should ask for changes (e.g., "no cheese"). This is often the hardest part for new readers.
Visual Literacy
Help students identify the icons on the guide. Green icons = better and red icons = limit.
Reading Support
Read the options aloud. Focus on sounds like "Gr" for Grilled and "Fr" for Fried to help them differentiate.
Healthy Choice Challenge Worksheet Healthy Choice Challenge
Which food is the best choice? Circle your answer.
Name:
Date:
McDonald's Pick the best lunch:
🍔
Big Mac
🍔
Classic Burger
🍟
Large Fries
Subway Pick the best sandwich:
🥖
Meatball Sub
🥖
Turkey on Wheat
🥖
Pizza Sub
Wendy's Pick the best warm meal:
🍲
Chili and Potato
🍔
Double Burger
🍗
Fried Chicken
Chick-fil-A Pick the best meal:
🥗
Market Salad
🍗
Fried Sandwich
🍟
Waffle Fries
Drinks Pick the best drink:
🥤
Large Soda
🍦
Milkshake
💧
Cold Water
Remember: Grilled is better than Fried.
Think before you eat!