6 High-Protein Fast Food Menu Items To Order Right Now

Thanks to the viral "#proteinmaxxing" trend on social media, countless pages of reels and tips have emerged on how to boost your protein intake significantly to help with weight loss or muscle building. In fact, much of our bodies are comprised of protein. All cells in our body rely on this nutrient to function. Our muscles, tissues, and even our immune system need protein to regenerate and simply keep us alive. Protein can make you feel fuller and, because it's harder to digest than other nutrients, can give your metabolism a boost. It also helps build muscle mass when strength training.

Cooking our meals gives us control over our protein intake — but some days, kitchen time can be tough to carve out. When we can't prepare high-protein meals, there are items at several fast food restaurants that contain hefty amounts to help you meet or exceed your goal. In ascending order, check out these protein powerhouses found at popular chains nationwide.

Coming in at 20 grams of protein and 560 calories, the Taco Bell Cheesy Double Beef Burrito has twice the beef of the chain's regular beef burrito, nacho cheese sauce, a shredded three-cheese blend, seasoned rice, and fiesta strips. Reduced-fat sour cream also adds to the protein content. Some of the other healthiest things to eat at Taco Bell include the Cantina Chicken Soft Taco with 12 grams of protein and the Bean Burrito, which boasts 13 grams of protein.

With 33 grams of protein per 6-ounce portion, Panda Express' Grilled Teriyaki Chicken is lower in calories and fat than the chain's fried protein options. Just the chicken contains 10 grams of fat and 275 calories, and you can boost the nutritional value by adding vegetables. Tasters found the teriyaki sauce well-balanced and delicious.

Verdant veggies and proteins aplenty can be found in Panera's Green Goddess Chicken Cobb Salad, which also happens to be among the best fast food salads we've tasted. Avocado, romaine, and mixed greens complement the meal's tangy dressing, made with Greek yogurt and basil pesto. Pickled red onions, grape tomatoes, chopped bacon, grilled chicken, and a hard-boiled egg round out the ingredients that total 40 grams of protein, 580 calories, and 34 grams of fat.

Next up on our protein journey is Arby's Half-Pound Roast Beef 'n Cheddar, boasting 49 grams of protein between its buns. Sliced roast beef is piled atop an onion bun, then layered with cheddar cheese sauce and the chain's Red Ranch dressing, which is a blend of vinegars, spices, and sweeteners, and colored with beet juice.

Packed with 48 grams of protein, McDonald's Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese has two ground beef patties piled with two slices of cheese, pickles, onions, and a ketchup and mustard condiment combination. McDonald's signature sesame seed bun contains it all. Thinking of a Big Mac instead? There's one main difference between a McDonald's Big Mac and a Double Quarter Pounder: the latter includes fresh beef patties weighing 4.25 ounces each, and have never seen a freezer.

Chipotle answers the call of protein-seekers with its High Protein Menu. With 81 grams of protein, the Double High Protein Bowl contains the highest amount of the needed nutrient of any item Chipotle makes. Fajita veggies are placed in a bowl with white rice, black beans, tomato salsa, Monterey jack cheese, and a double serving of Adobo Chicken. Lettuce tops it all, giving the dish a total of 760 calories.