Fuel Your Gains: 6 High-Protein Jack in the Box Meals for Bulking
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| Fuel Your Gains: 6 High-Protein Jack in the Box Meals for Bulking |
Gaining muscle requires dedication to strength training and nutrition. While many associate fast food with unhealthy eating, Jack in the Box offers several high-protein, high-calorie options perfect for supporting muscle growth.
This guide covers the best Jack in the Box meals to order when bulking, along with simple customizations to boost calories, protein, carbs or fats based on your needs. We also provide tips on optimizing your Jack in the Box order before and after workouts.
Top 6 Jack in the Box Meals for Bulking
1. Sourdough Grilled Chicken Club
The sourdough grilled chicken club contains 540 calories, 39 grams of protein, 38 grams of carbs, and 26 grams of fat.
Grilled chicken provides lean protein to support muscle repair and growth. The sandwich also has cheese and mayonnaise, supplying higher-calorie fats.
Customize by:
- Adding creamy bacon mayo or sriracha mayo (extra 40 calories)
- Adding sides like egg rolls (7g protein, 145 calories each) or applesauce (10g carbs, 45 calories)
2. Chicken Fajita Pita Combo
A chicken fajita pita (650 calories) paired with a cheeseburger (230 calories) offers 40g protein, 67g carbs, and 25g fat.
The pita has carbs for energy, while the burger provides fat and protein. This combo balances all macronutrients.
Customize by:
- Adding a dipping sauce like syrup (190 calories) or buttermilk sauce (130 calories)
- Adding egg rolls or applesauce
3. Cheeseburger and Crispy Chicken Strips
A cheeseburger (880 calories) plus 4-piece crispy chicken strips delivers 49g protein, 85g carbs, and 38g fat.
The chicken adds calories, protein and fat. Keeping you feeling full while not overly stuffed.
Customize by:
- Adding honey mustard dipping sauce (60 calories, 11g carbs)
- Adding a small fry (330 calories) if you struggle to eat enough
4. Sourdough Chicken Club and Cheeseburger
This 860-calorie combo provides 55g protein, 70g carbs and 40g fat. The chicken club adds calories without lots of extra fat.
Customize by:
- Substituting mayo for tartar sauce (70 calories)
- Adding a beef taco (190 calories)
5. Jumbo Jack and Sourdough Chicken Club
At 1110 calories, this serious bulking meal delivers 69g protein, 83g carbs and 56g fat. Limit additional high-fat foods the rest of the day.
Customize by:
- Adding creamy ranch sauce (80 calories)
- Adding a grilled chicken club salad (360 calories)
6. Chicken Club, Cheeseburger and Chicken Strips
With 1420 calories, this monster meal provides 88g protein, 123g carbs and 64g fat. Carb up the rest of the day.
Customize by:
- Adding ketchup (20 calories)
- Adding sweet & sour dipping sauce (45 calories)
Pre-Workout Jack in the Box Meals
Before training, opt for high-carb meals to fuel your session:
Choose a sandwich or pita
Aim for 0.5-1g carbs per pound of body weight. The more carbs, the more energy you'll have.
Pick grilled chicken
It's lower in fat than beef or fried chicken, avoiding sluggish digestion.
Add applesauce
Applesauce contains fast-digesting carbs for quick energy.
Post-Workout Jack in the Box Meals
After training, consume carbs to replenish glycogen stores and protein to repair and build muscle:
Choose a sandwich or pita
Aim for at least 0.3-0.5g carbs per pound. Replenishing glycogen stores kickstarts recovery.
Select grilled chicken
As the leanest protein option, it provides amino acids to stimulate muscle growth without excess fat.
Consider a second sandwich
Double up on protein (0.3-0.5g per pound) for optimal muscle repair and development.
FAQs
Will eating at Jack in the Box ruin your gains?
No. As long as you eat sufficient protein (0.7-1g per pound), you can still gain muscle. Jack in the Box has many high-protein options.
Can you eat at Jack in the Box and still gain muscle?
Yes. By eating enough protein and maintaining a slight calorie surplus, you can continue to gain muscle while occasionally eating at Jack in the Box.
What Jack in the Box meal has the most protein?
The ultimate cheeseburger with bacon nacho tacos has a whopping 77g protein and 1420 calories.
What meal has the most calories?
The ultimate cheeseburger with bacon cheddar fries packs 1490 calories along with 72g protein.
What's the lowest calorie Jack in the Box meal?
The grilled chicken club salad with 360 calories, 37g protein and 12g carbs is one of the lightest options.
Gaining muscle and strength requires commitment, but the occasional fast food meal won't sabotage your progress. Take advantage of the high-protein items at Jack in the Box while customizing your order to fit your bulking needs.
What other fast food spots would you like to see bulking meal guides for? Let me know in the comments!
