I recently read that Jack in the Box is planning to open its first Ohio restaurant this summer near my neighborhood. I didn't know much about the fast casual chain except that they faced national scrutiny once because of an E. coli outbreak. I decided to do a little research and found the hamburger chain has more than 2200 restaurants in twenty states spanning the U.S. from coast to coast. With a recent opening in Indianapolis, Indiana and another 25 to 30 restaurants projected to open later this year, I decided to take a closer look at how the chain stacks up nutritionally.
 
Jack in the Box has an expansive menu, featuring the first fast casual 100% Sirloin Burger as well as lighter appetizers and real fruit smoothies. For the nutrition conscience, there are whole grain pitas, entrée salads, and grilled chicken. Here are some of the best choices I will be looking for when the new restaurant opens down the street.

Burgers
 
Hamburger
Calories – 290 (330 with cheese)
Fat – 12 grams (15 grams with cheese)
Sodium – 550 mg (760 mg with cheese)
Carbohydrate – 32 grams
Fiber – 1 gram
Protein – 14 grams (17 grams with cheese)
 
Hamburger Deluxe
Calories – 340 (420 with cheese)
Fat – 16 grams (23 grams with cheese)
Sodium – 540 mg (950 mg with cheese)
Carbohydrate – 33 grams (34 grams with cheese)
Fiber – 2 grams
Protein – 15 grams (19 grams with cheese)
 
Chicken
 
Chicken Fajita Pita with whole grain pita and salsa
Calories – 330 (320 without salsa)
Fat – 11 grams
Sodium – 990 mg (870 mg without salsa)
Carbohydrate – 35 grams (33 grams without salsa)
Fiber – 4 grams
Protein – 24 grams
 
Chicken Sandwich
Calories – 410
Fat – 21 grams
Sodium – 880 mg
Carbohydrate – 42 grams
Fiber – 2 grams
Protein – 15 grams
 
Grilled Chicken Strips – 4 pc
Calories – 250
Fat – 7 grams
Sodium – 1,070 mg
Carbohydrate – 5 grams
Fiber – 0 grams
Protein – 43 grams
 
Jack's Spicy Chicken
Calories – 530 (610 with cheese)
Fat – 21 grams
Sodium – 910 mg (1,200 mg with cheese)
Carbohydrate – 60 grams (61 grams with cheese)
Fiber – 3 grams
Protein – 27 grams (32 grams with cheese)
 
Sourdough Grilled Chicken Club
Calories – 540
Fat – 26 grams
Sodium – 1,490 mg
Carbohydrate – 38 grams
Fiber – 3 grams
Protein – 39 grams
 
Salads
 
Chicken Club Salad with Grilled Chicken Strips without dressing or crunchy toppings
Calories – 370
Fat – 20 grams
Sodium – 970 mg
Carbohydrate – 13 grams
Fiber – 4 grams
Protein – 38
 
Grilled Chicken Salad without dressing or crunchy toppings
Calories – 250
Fat – 10 grams
Sodium – 660 mg
Carbohydrate – 15 grams
Fiber – 5 grams
Protein – 28 grams
 
Side Salad without dressing or crunchy toppings
Calories – 20
Fat – 0 grams
Sodium – 10 mg
Carbohydrate – 4 grams
Fiber – 2 grams
Protein – 1 gram
 
Southwest Chicken Salad with Grilled Chicken Strips without dressing of crunchy topping
Calories – 350
Fat – 15 grams
Sodium – 1,010 mg
Carbohydrate – 29 grams
Fiber – 7 grams
Protein – 34 grams
 
Low-Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Calories – 35
Fat – 1.5 grams
Sodium – 480 mg
Carbohydrate – 5 grams
Fiber – 0 grams
Protein – 0 grams
 
Breakfast, Smoothies and Value Menu
 
Breakfast Jack
Calories – 280
Fat – 11 grams
Sodium – 780 mg
Carbohydrate – 30 grams
Fiber – 1 gram
Protein – 16 grams
 
Smoothie – 16 fl oz of Mango (M), Strawberry (S), or Strawberry Banana (SB)
Calories – 290 (270 for S)
Fat – 0 grams
Sodium – 70 mg (75 mg for M)
Carbohydrate – 180 grams (210 grams for SB)
Fiber – 1 gram (0 for M)
Protein – 2 grams
 
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Calories – 330
Fat – 16 grams
Sodium – 800 mg
Carbohydrate – 34 grams
Fiber – 2 grams
Protein – 11 grams
 
 
What are your favorite nutrition conscious favorites? Where would this restaurant chain rate in your book compared to other fast casual options?