Whether for comfort or sheer convenience, fast food is the guilty pleasure we just can’t give up. But what if that greasy reputation has been eclipsing some hidden health benefits we never gave these dishes credit for? Here we've turned to a nutritionist to uncover the truth about our go-to orders, from French fries to fried chicken, and reveal how to make smarter choices at the fast food counter.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the surprising health benefits of your favorite fast foods, counting down to the one with the most nutritional value of all.

We've based our ranking on the health-boosting credentials of each dish, with input from a registered nutritionist.

The surprising health benefits of fast food, ranked by a nutritionist