Healthier doesn't mean healthy.

According to the National Restaurant Association’s 2013 Restaurant Industry Forecast, 75 percent of women and 66 percent of men say they’re trying to eat healthier at restaurants than they did two years ago. Keeping with the trend, more quick-service restaurants are rolling out so-called nutritious options as more consumers demand them. The chains are also reducing serving sizes, calories, and fat, and offering more whole grains and veggies. 

Even so, we discovered many dishes marketed as healthier choices are still packed with more sugar, sodium, and calories than you might think. Take a look on the next slides. If you do decide to indulge, try to eat fresh, unprocessed whole foods the rest of the day to help offset your splurge.

Burger King: Turkey Burger

In an effort to cater to health-conscious consumers, BK is rolling out a turkey burger for the first time in spring 2013. But while the 530-calorie burger is 100 calories less than the popular Whopper, it actually has a lot more sodium (1,210 milligrams compared to the Whopper’s 980).

McDonald’s: Egg White Delight

Rolling out in spring of 2013, the yolkless version of the Egg McMuffin breakfast sandwich will have 250 calories, which is 50 less than the original. But the sandwich will be topped with Canadian bacon and white cheddar, which contribute to its whopping 800 milligrams of sodium (34 percent of the recommended daily maximum). The good news? This breakfast sammie boasts 18 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber, a good filling combo. If you eat one, try to watch your sodium intake the rest of the day.

Mediterranean Chicken Wrap

This healthy-sounding wrap and 25 other items were added to the Quiznos menu in spring of 2012 as part of a brand overhaul to emphasize better flavor and ingredients. But the words “wrap” and “Mediterranean” are just marketing-speak to healthy up this sneaky dish, which with dressing contains 840 calories, 48 grams of fat, and 2,200 milligrams of sodium.

Quiznos: Mediterranean Chicken Wrap

This healthy-sounding wrap and 25 other items were added to the Quiznos menu in spring of 2012 as part of a brand overhaul to emphasize better flavor and ingredients. But the words “wrap” and “Mediterranean” are just marketing-speak to healthy up this sneaky dish, which with dressing contains 840 calories, 48 grams of fat, and 2,200 milligrams of sodium.
Dunkin Donuts: Oatmeal

Last fall Dunkin Donuts began offering a 300-calorie cup of Quaker Oats topped with dried fruit. (McDonald’s and Subway have also had oatmeal on the menu for the past few years.) Oatmeal—especially the steel-cut kind—is one of the healthiest items you can eat for breakfast, an excellent source of fiber and whole grains. But the plain DD version packs 22 grams of sugar! For comparison, the American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 30 to 45 grams of added sugar a day. If you're going to try it, avoid the sweet stuff in your other meals and snacks.

Auntie Anne’s: Honey Whole Grain Pretzel

With just 300 calories, 7 grams of fat, and 6 grams of fiber, this whole-grain option sounds like a healthier snack. But compare the nutrition facts to the original pretzel (340 calories, 5 grams of fat, and 2 grams of fiber), and it’s not that much better for you if at all. Plus, the whole grain version is also much higher in sodium: 1390 milligrams compared to 990.