This Is The Healthiest In-N-Out Order, According To Nutritionists

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Key Points

Two nutritionists share what they think the healthiest item to order on the menu is at In-N-Out.Both agree that the Protein Style Burger on the chain’s Not So Secret Menu is the best option.The burger swaps the bun for lettuce and is a good source of protein, fat, and fiber.

In-N-Out is a West Coast institution. Not only do regular folks love feasting on an Animal Style burger and shake, but celebrities also frequently wax poetic about the fast food chain. In fact, it’s become a regular post-Oscars stop for plenty of stars. And while In-N-Out might not be top of mind when it comes to healthy eating, there are still ways to make your order a little more balanced.

Take their Protein Style Burger, for example. An option that appears on the chain’s Not So Secret Menu skips the bun and wraps the burger in lettuce instead.

“This option may benefit people who are cutting back on calories or being more mindful of refined carbohydrates,” explains nutritionist Jessica Clancy-Strawn, M.A., R.D.N.

Swapping the bun for lettuce reduces the meal by roughly 150 calories and 29 grams of carbs compared to other burger options. Clancy-Strawn also notes that ditching the bun can help reduce the glycemic load and support a steadier blood glucose response.

Nutritionist Whitney Stuart, M.S., R.D.N, agrees that the Protein Style Burger is the best option on the menu. She recommends loading it up with extra tomato and onion and skipping the spread, which helps to cut back on refined carbs and mayo-heavy sauce.

“I add lots of mustard, which has a vinegar base instead of saturated fat,” she shares.

Luckily, neither nutritionist argues that you have to skip the fries entirely. The key is portion size. If you want fries with your burger, Stuart suggests ordering a smaller portion rather than treating the whole meal as if it needs to be perfectly optimized.

“Food should bring joy, not just meet a macro target,” says Stuart.

Protein Style may not turn In-N-Out into a health food restaurant, but it does make the classic order a little more balanced.

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