NishiNishi Labs

Highest-protein fast-food orders on a GLP-1

The orders that deliver the most protein for the fewest calories across the 40 chains we score, plus the highest total-protein picks, each scored the same transparent, published way from the restaurant's own data.

The honest version

You can always get more protein by ordering more food. On a GLP-1, when appetite is limited, the better question is how much protein you get per calorie. So the main list below leads with protein density, and a second list covers the biggest total-protein orders for the days you want them.

Most protein per calorie

The most protein-dense orders that fit a GLP-1 pattern. Best for a smaller appetite. Ranked by protein per 100 calories; tap any order for the full breakdown. How we score.
1 Blackened Tenders (5 pc)PopeyesWatch: 1430 mg sodium 16.8 g/100 cal47 g protein · 280 calBest fit 2 Firehouse Salad with Grilled ChickenFirehouse SubsWatch: 1690 mg sodium 15 g/100 cal57 g protein · 380 calBest fit 3 Street Corn SaladEl Pollo LocoWatch: 1600 mg sodium 13.3 g/100 cal52 g protein · 390 calBest fit 4 Double Chicken Power BowlMoe's Southwest Grill40 g protein · lots of protein for the calories · 8 g fiber · lower fat 12.5 g/100 cal40 g protein · 320 calBest fit 5 Mexican Caesar SaladEl Pollo LocoWatch: 1530 mg sodium 12.4 g/100 cal52 g protein · 420 calBest fit 6 Iced Protein Matcha (Grande)Starbucks31 g protein · lots of protein for the calories · lower fat 11.9 g/100 cal31 g protein · 260 calBest fit 7 Bo's Chicken Tenders (5 pc)BojanglesWatch: 2040 mg sodium 11.8 g/100 cal60 g protein · 510 calBest fit 8 Bo's Chicken Tenders (4 pc)BojanglesWatch: 1630 mg sodium 11.7 g/100 cal48 g protein · 410 calBest fit 9 Bo's Chicken Tenders (3 pc)BojanglesWatch: 1220 mg sodium 11.6 g/100 cal36 g protein · 310 calBest fit 10 Hook & Ladder SaladFirehouse Subs30 g protein · lots of protein for the calories · 5 g fiber · lower fat 11.5 g/100 cal30 g protein · 260 calBest fit 11 10 Classic Wings (Original Hot)WingstopWatch: 2300 mg sodium 11.1 g/100 cal100 g protein · 900 calBest fit 12 10 Classic Wings (Plain)Wingstop100 g protein · lots of protein for the calories · lower fat 11.1 g/100 cal100 g protein · 900 calBest fit 13 6 Classic Wings (Plain)Wingstop60 g protein · lots of protein for the calories · lower fat 11.1 g/100 cal60 g protein · 540 calBest fit 14 Grilled Chicken SaladBojangles40 g protein · lots of protein for the calories · lower fat 11.1 g/100 cal40 g protein · 360 calBest fit 15 Chick-fil-A Nuggets (8-count)Chick-fil-AWatch: 1210 mg sodium 10.8 g/100 cal27 g protein · 250 calGood fit 16 Iced Vanilla Protein Latte (Grande)Starbucks29 g protein · lots of protein for the calories · lower fat 10.7 g/100 cal29 g protein · 270 calGood fit 17 Classic Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken (no dressing)Portillo's38 g protein · lots of protein for the calories · lower fat 10.6 g/100 cal38 g protein · 357 calBest fit 18 Healthy TurkeyFirst WatchWatch: 1590 mg sodium 10.2 g/100 cal49 g protein · 480 calBest fit 19 6 Chicken Fingers (tenders only)Raising Cane's78 g protein · lots of protein for the calories · lower fat 10 g/100 cal78 g protein · 780 calBest fit 20 Grilled Chicken MargheritaOlive GardenWatch: higher fat (54% of calories), 2120 mg sodium 10 g/100 cal65 g protein · 650 calGood fit

Most total protein (that still fits)

The biggest protein numbers among orders that still clear the GLP-1 bar. Larger, higher-calorie orders, ranked by total protein.
1 10 Classic Wings (Original Hot)WingstopWatch: 2300 mg sodium 100 g protein900 cal · 11.1 g/100 calBest fit 2 10 Classic Wings (Plain)Wingstop100 g protein · lots of protein for the calories · lower fat 100 g protein900 cal · 11.1 g/100 calBest fit 3 10 Classic Wings (Louisiana Rub)WingstopWatch: higher fat (57.3% of calories), 1400 mg sodium 100 g protein1100 cal · 9.1 g/100 calGood fit 4 6 Chicken Fingers (tenders only)Raising Cane's78 g protein · lots of protein for the calories · lower fat 78 g protein780 cal · 10 g/100 calBest fit 5 Queso Crunch Double Chicken Burrito BowlEl Pollo LocoWatch: 3180 mg sodium 78 g protein1080 cal · 7.2 g/100 calGood fit 6 The J.J. Gargantuan (8" French)Jimmy John'sWatch: 3930 mg sodium 78 g protein1080 cal · 7.2 g/100 calGood fit 7 Grilled Chicken ParmigianaOlive GardenWatch: 3040 mg sodium 75 g protein810 cal · 9.3 g/100 calBest fit 8 Street Corn Double Chicken Burrito BowlEl Pollo LocoWatch: 3230 mg sodium 75 g protein1080 cal · 6.9 g/100 calGood fit 9 Double Chicken BowlEl Pollo LocoWatch: 2670 mg sodium 74 g protein930 cal · 8 g/100 calBest fit 10 Buffalo Wings (8 pc)Papa John'sWatch: higher fat (62.1% of calories), 2920 mg sodium 67 g protein840 cal · 8 g/100 calGood fit 11 Unsauced Roasted Wings (8 pc)Papa John'sWatch: higher fat (63.3% of calories), 1460 mg sodium 66 g protein810 cal · 8.1 g/100 calGood fit 12 Buffalo Chicken Ranch Mac (Regular)Noodles & CompanyWatch: 3830 mg sodium 66 g protein1380 cal · 4.8 g/100 calGood fit

High in protein, but a lower fit

These carry a lot of protein, but also enough fat or calories that our rubric rates them a lower fit. Shown with the specific reason, so the number is not the whole story.
Score your own order, not just theseNishi scores any meal from any menu against your protein target, and remembers what you like.
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Common questions

What is the most protein-efficient fast-food order on a GLP-1?

By our rubric, Popeyes's Blackened Tenders (5 pc) leads on protein per calorie: about 47 g protein in 280 calories (16.8 g per 100 calories). The full ranking is above, and each order links to its breakdown.

Is more protein always better on a GLP-1?

Not necessarily. When appetite is limited, the useful question is how much protein you get per calorie, since calories are the binding constraint. That is why the main list is ordered by protein density rather than raw protein, and why some very high-protein orders sit in the "lower fit" section: they carry a lot of calories and fat along with the protein.

How did you choose and rank these orders?

Every order is scored by the same published method we use on our individual restaurant guides, from each chain's own published nutrition data. The main list ranks by protein density with a protein floor; a second list shows the highest total-protein orders that still fit; and orders flagged for fat or portion are shown separately. See how we score for the exact rules.

Is this medical advice?

No. This is general nutrition information based on published restaurant data, not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. GLP-1 medications are prescribed and managed by a clinician; talk to yours about what is right for you.

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