Consumers around the world are catching on. There is a rising number of healthy conscious eaters who are not just happy with a full packed whopper meal to get a fast lunch. They are the consumers of the millennium, those who are eating leaner foods, and they are in the constant lookout for the newest and freshest fast food stores, constantly updating themselves on sources of farm fresh chicken and beef.

This list might shock you, but there are fast foods that we never thought to be healthy but actually are. There are a whole array of healthy foods out there, and can be served fast, and it can even be found in McDonald’s!

1. Panera Bread

Top on the list is organic peanut butter (yes, it’s organic!) and jelly sandwich and organic cheese on white whole grain bread. The healthiest item in the menu would be half–Turkey Artichoke on focaccia bread with a bowl of black bean or garden vegetable soup. If you get a turkey sausage, egg white and spinach breakfast bower sandwich, you will only consume 410 calories and zero trans-fat. The sodium content in this filling sandwich is 80g. Undoubtedly delicious too.

2. Farmer’s Scarmbler at The Corner Bakery

When you’re after a filling breakfast and not threaten your calorie limits, get the Farmer’s Scrambler from the Corner Bakery. If you only order egg whites, you will only consume a delicious 260 calories. The egg whites come with red and green bell peppers, mushrooms, potatoes and cheddar cheese. Other yummy options from this café/bakery are the swiss oatmeal, European breakfast cereal with rolled oats, green apples, bananas, currants, dried cranberries, low-fat yogurt, and skim milk.

3. Chipotle

Looking for organic, anti-biotic free, chemical free meat? Then the best place would be Chipotle. This fast food won awards for its commitment to organic food and is still the freshest source of scrumptious organic food. They also source their materials locally, a major plus indeed. Not all of the items are low in sodium though, so when striving for the ultra-healthy meal, go for the fajita veggies and the green tomatillo salsa.

4. Atlanta Bread

More out of the ordinary but definitely healthy, this fast food restaurant is a haven for the health buff. Order the Salsa Fresca Salmon Salad, which is grilled wild Alaskan salmon filet on greens with fire-roasted black bean and corn salsa and a pineapple-mango vinaigrette. If you’re looking for something to eat while on the road, grab the low-fat pumpkin muffin top, half the size of a regular 600 calorie muffin, and only has 200 calories.

5. McDonald’s

Yes, even McDonald’s can get on the weight-conscious grid. You just have to know what to get. Supersizing is a definite no-go zone. The best options would be a small serving of fries for only 230 calories. Fruit juices or non-fat milk are also available. Maybe these are healthier options instead of a large drink.

6. Einstein Brothers Bagels

A bagel is not exactly the lowest calorie pastry, especially if you load it with cream cheese. However, the bagels from Einstein Brothers offer whole what bagels that come great with vegetables or low fat peanut butter or hummus. The healthiest option is the high fiber veg-out on a sesame seed bagel.

7. Noodles and Company

Here is a fast food joint that’s out of the ordinary. This fast service restaurant offers Chinese, Mediterranean and American food and everything is sautéed in soybean oil. The top sellers and the leanest would be whole grain linguine that you can add with a choice of lean proteins, from hormone- and antibiotic-free chicken, beef, shrimp, to organic tofu.

8. Au Bon Pain

This famous health food chain now offers computer kiosks so you can search for the nutritional value of their items. Find yourself the best option that fits your health and taste. Most health buff reviews say that this is a good place to get a healthy whole grain sandwich, soups and salads.

Healthy eating comes with intelligent food picking right? So know more about the fast foods that are in your area. Maybe it’s best to look for food that are low in saturated fat and are guaranteed freshest. Read on customer reviews and see what others are eating. Most of all, be in the loop with the chemicals and additives that are ok to use, and what the FDA says about it.

Fast foods now are paving the way to healthy eating, so make sure you’re on the same road too. The last say will still be yours, and proper portioning will still depend on you.