An influencer who goes by the name “Pookie” recently shared her go-to Chick-fil-A order, but is it really a healthy choice?
Campbell Puckett, known online as “Pookie,” orders the Cobb Salad at Chick-fil-A for lunch at least once a week, according to one of her recent TikToks — and the order has since gone viral.
@campbellhuntpuckett I get this for lunch once a week🤤 try it and lmk your thoughts!! #lunch #foodtiktok #chickfila #lifehack ♬ original sound - Campbell Puckett
Countless TikTok users have been sharing videos of themselves trying the popular content creator’s viral salad order, sharing their thoughts and admitting that they were indeed “influenced” to try the meal.
@whatsniceating Trying the pookie salad cuz i love pookie 😌 @Campbell Puckett very influenced and will be hyperfixated on this chik fil a order for the foreseeable future #pookie #chikfila ♬ Creme's Interlude - Pink Siifu & Fly Anakin & Fousheé
Some have also been making their own version at home.
@nutritionbabe Now we can all eat like Pookie @Campbell Puckett This Chick-FilA remake is fire! 1 Head Romaine lettuce, washed and chopped 1 small tomato, chopped 4 oz. Chicken (baked or crispy) 1-2 pieces turkey or center cut bacon, baked and chopped 1 tbsp cheese or dairy free cheese 1-2 tbsp corn 1 hard boiled egg, sliced Avocado Ranch Dressing: BLEND: 1/4 cup fresh dill 1/4 cup fresh parsley 1/4 c plain or dairy free plain yogurt Juice of 1 large lemon 1/4 avocado 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp onion powder Salt pepper to taste 2 tbsp water So good! Top with buffalo sauce. Yum!! Check out my cookbook for a whole section of delicious sexy salads like this one! Xoxox #pookie #pookiebear #pookienation #chickfila #chickfilahacks #chickfilarecipe #healthyrecipes #lunchideas #saladrecipe #chickennuggets #recipe #easyrecipe #avocadoranch #ranchdressing #dairyfreeranch #cobbsalad #cobbsaladrecipe ♬ original sound - NutritionBabe
According to the Chick-fil-A website, the Cobb Salad contains mixed greens, roasted corn kernels, a blend of shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, crumbled bacon, sliced hard-boiled egg, and grape tomatoes. It’s then topped with charred tomato and crispy red bell peppers, Chick-fil-A breaded nuggets, and the Avocado Lime Ranch salad dressing.
Without any modifications, the salad has 830 calories, 60g of fat, 31g of carbs, and 42g of protein.
Is the Chick-fil-A Cobb Salad healthy?
According to dietitian Dalia Beydoun, MS, RD, the Chick-fil-A Cobb Salad can be a somewhat healthy choice, especially compared to other fast food options.
“This choice provides a balanced and nutrient-rich meal compared to many other menu items,” Beydoun tells Healthnews.
It offers fiber and essential vitamins and minerals from the greens, healthy fats from the cheese, some starch from the corn, and protein from the egg and chicken — making it a more balanced option than those that don’t contain such a variety of ingredients and nutrients.
Ordering the salad with the breaded nuggets, however, decreases the leanness of the chicken and significantly increases the calories and fat of the meal.
How to make Pookie's salad order healthier
To make the cobb salad a more balanced option, Beydoun suggests swapping the breaded nuggets for the grilled ones. She also says a few additional adjustments can greatly improve this meal's nutritional profile.
She says that while bacon adds flavor, it also increases saturated fat and sodium, so leaving it out can make the meal more health-conscious. The Avocado Lime Ranch is also quite calorie-dense, she adds. Using just half the packet or opting for a lower-calorie dressing can help manage the calorie content without sacrificing too much taste.
Some lower-calorie dressing options at Chick-fil-A include Light Italian Dressing, Fat-Free Honey Mustard, and Light Balsamic Vinaigrette.
As for frequency, Beydoun says enjoying this meal once a week, as Pookie does, can fit into a balanced diet — especially if you mix it up with a variety of other nutrient-dense foods throughout the week.
For an even healthier version at home, she suggests making a similar salad but adding a wider variety of veggies and making a homemade dressing with fresh avocado, lime juice, and herbs.
“Overall, this meal is objectively healthy and a solid choice compared to other fast-food options,” she says. “With a few adjustments, you can enjoy it even more confidently.”
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