Dietitians and nutritionists recommend what to order at Sonic.

The allure of Sonic Drive-In can be hard to resist.

To maintain a healthy lifestyle, it's important to control portion sizes when visiting fast-food chains.

Kim Yawitz, a registered dietitian and owner of Two Six Fitness in St. Louis, Missouri, stated that the large Oreo Peanut Butter Shake contains more calories than she usually consumes in a whole day and six times the recommended daily intake of added sugar.

Yawitz stated that in her professional opinion, although nothing on the Sonic menu is particularly healthy, some options are slightly better than others.

She stated that the menu primarily consists of highly processed foods, with high calorie, saturated fat, and added sugar content. However, some menu items have a good amount of protein, but also contain a significant amount of fat and sodium.

Yawitz recommended searching for products with reduced calorie, fat, and sodium content.

A registered dietitian nutritionist at Omni Nutrition LLC, Yawitz and Lara Clevenger, advised on what to order when eating at Sonic.

Planet Chronicle Digital reached out to Sonic for comment.

Kids’ Crispy Tenders

Yawitz admitted that he had never recommended chicken tenders as a healthy restaurant option, but he acknowledged that there might be a first time for everything.

Yawitz stated that the Kids' Crispy Tenders are the menu's lowest-calorie and lowest-fat entrée, with a total of 180 calories and eight grams of fat.

"This option is surprisingly low in sodium, with 490 milligrams per serving (excluding sauce and sides)," she stated.

She typically advises her clients to consume no more than 500 milligrams of sodium at each meal, and this Sonic option is one of the few that meets that requirement.

Plain Junior Burger

Not feeling chicken fingers?

Go for the Plain Junior Burger.

"By far, the Plain Junior Burger is the healthiest option on the menu with 330 calories, 15 grams of fat, 710 milligrams of sodium, and 14 grams of protein," Yawitz stated.

She noted that the food has low protein content (14 grams) and advised eating higher protein foods at other meals.

Chicken Slinger Sandwich

"Yawitz stated that while the Chicken Slinger sandwich may not be nutritious, it is one of the healthier options on the menu. The sandwich contains 360 calories, 18 grams of fat, 690 milligrams of sodium, and 15 grams of protein."

To reduce calories and fat, Yawitz recommended removing the mayonnaise from the order.

Eating an open-faced sandwich with only one-half of the bun can reduce carbohydrate intake.

Quarter Pound Double Cheeseburger

If you're in a pinch, this is a filling choice, according to experts.

According to Sonic's online nutritional brochure, this cheeseburger contains 560 calories, 35 grams of fat, 35 grams of carbs, and 26 grams of protein.

Clevenger stated that this option provides a good source of protein while limiting excessive carbohydrates.

Crispy Tenders - 5 Piece

Clevenger stated that the five-piece crispy tenders have 36 grams of protein, 37 grams of carbs, and 530 calories.

By choosing tenders instead of a bun, you can reduce calorie intake by skipping bread, she stated.

For some fiber, she suggested pairing these with a serving of baby carrots or a spinach salad when eating at home.

Bacon Breakfast Burrito

If you're having breakfast at Sonic, Clevenger recommends the bacon breakfast burrito.

She stated that the breakfast, with approximately 470 calories and 25 grams of protein, is an excellent option for a quick morning meal.

Experts advised that, although bacon is notoriously bad for your health, it can be enjoyed as an occasional indulgence.

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