Introduction
Fast food is often seen as an unhealthy option for meals, but some menu items are worse than others. This article will explore the unhealthiest fast food menu options, from the highest calorie counts to the most sodium-laden dishes. We’ll also look at the nutritional information for each item, so you can make an informed decision about what to order. So, if you’re looking to make healthier choices when it comes to fast food, read on to find out which menu items you should avoid.
The No. 1 Unhealthiest Fast Food Menu Options
Fast food is often seen as an unhealthy option, but some menu items are worse than others. From high-calorie burgers to deep-fried desserts, here are the top unhealthiest fast food menu options.
1. Burger King’s Triple Whopper
The Triple Whopper from Burger King is one of the unhealthiest fast food menu options. It contains 1,020 calories, 59 grams of fat, and 1,630 milligrams of sodium. It also contains a whopping 75 grams of carbohydrates.
2. McDonald’s Big Breakfast with Hotcakes
McDonald’s Big Breakfast with Hotcakes is another unhealthy option. It contains 1,150 calories, 60 grams of fat, and 2,020 milligrams of sodium. It also contains a whopping 95 grams of carbohydrates.
3. Taco Bell’s XXL Grilled Stuft Burrito
Taco Bell’s XXL Grilled Stuft Burrito is another unhealthy option. It contains 1,080 calories, 56 grams of fat, and 2,160 milligrams of sodium. It also contains a whopping 86 grams of carbohydrates.
4. KFC’s Double Down
KFC’s Double Down is another unhealthy option. It contains 540 calories, 32 grams of fat, and 1,380 milligrams of sodium. It also contains a whopping 41 grams of carbohydrates.
5. Wendy’s Baconator
Wendy’s Baconator is another unhealthy option. It contains 940 calories, 59 grams of fat, and 1,770 milligrams of sodium. It also contains a whopping 61 grams of carbohydrates.
These are just a few of the unhealthiest fast food menu options. If you’re looking for a healthier option, try opting for a salad or grilled chicken sandwich instead.
Even the healthiest of eaters cannot all the time resist the temptation that comes lurking while you occur to drive by your favourite fast-food restaurant. There’s nothing unsuitable with indulging in your favourite cheat meal from time to time, however there are some fast-food menu gadgets which might be actually the worst of the worst. They’re excessive in energy, comprise a ton of saturated fats and sodium, and a few of these offenders even have harmful heart-harming trans fats. Merely put: these are the fast-food menu choices which might be ridiculously unhealthy for you.
So you can also make a more sensible choice the subsequent time you end up taking a visit to the drive-thru, here’s a breakdown of the No. 1 unhealthiest menu choices at a few of the hottest fast-food eating places. (And when you’re making some adjustments, be sure you add The 7 Healthiest Meals to Eat Proper Now to your weight-reduction plan.)
Per platter: 1,340 energy, 63 g fats (25 g saturated fats, 0.5 g trans fats), 2,070 mg sodium, 158 g carbs (5 g fiber, 48 g sugar), 36 g protein
McDonald’s is understood for its actually iconic breakfast choices, however this large platter could have you consuming greater than half a day’s value of energy and almost your entire allotted sodium in only one meal. And that is within the morning! Presently, due to the pandemic, all-day breakfast is not being provided at Mickey D’s areas, however there is a good likelihood these things will return to their former glory quickly sufficient. So you may wish to bear in mind to keep away from this Huge Breakfast combo.
Per burger: 1,520 energy, 106 g fats (45 g saturated fats, 4 g trans fats), 1,910 mg sodium, 53 g carbs (3 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 89 g protein
Wendy’s Pretzel Bacon Pub Triple Cheeseburger actually is massive. It is made up of three of Wendy’s sq. beef patties which might be coated in heat beer cheese sauce, Applewood smoked bacon, smoky honey mustard, crispy fried onions, pickles, and a slice of muenster cheese, all on a gentle pretzel bun. This all makes for a burger that has essentially the most quantity of energy out of all of the burgers on the menu. That’s motive sufficient to keep away from it. However then you definately consider that it has 4 grams of trans fats.
So what is the subject with it having this a lot trans fats?
Effectively, the 2015-2020 American Dietary Tips say it is best to restrict trans fat consumption to as little as potential. Which means having zero trans fat ought to be what you are aiming for. It is nonetheless present in sure meals, like this Wendy’s burger, and these sneaky restaurant meals with essentially the most trans fats.
Per salad: 850 energy, 61 g fats (13 g saturated fats), 2,220 mg sodium, 34 g carbs (4 fiber, 9 g sugar), 42 g protein
It is time to drop the parable that fast-food salads are naturally the more healthy menu choice, as that’s typically not true. This salad from Chick-fil-A is proof, because of the mixture of the crispy rooster and the ranch-based dressing. No thanks!
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Per burger: 1,220 energy, 82 g fats (32 g saturated fats, 4.5 g trans fats), 1,470 mg sodium, 50 g carbs (2 g fiber, 11 g sugar), 71 g protein
At Burger King, the mixture of three quarter-pound beef patties which might be topped with mayo, ketchup, and cheese incorporates greater than 4 grams of trans-fats and greater than half a day’s energy. That is one merchandise at BK it is best to keep away from. As an alternative, go for the traditional choice: a plain, common hamburger.
Per giant shake: 1,720 energy, 104 g fats (48 g saturated fats, 2 g trans fats), 1,040 mg sodium, 172 g carbs (4 g fiber, 111 g sugar), 30 g protein
This milkshake is without doubt one of the most caloric Sonic menu gadgets and it not solely has a staggering quantity of sugar with greater than 100 grams, nevertheless it’s additionally excessive in sodium and fats. It is one shake that has nothing redeeming about it! No marvel it has a spot on our checklist of the wost quick meals desserts on the planet.
Per order: 740 energy, 38 g fats (7 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 1,050 mg sodium, 82 g carbs (15 g fiber, 5 g sugar), 16 g protein
The very best half about stopping to get a meal from Taco Bell is that every thing on the menu is actually customizable, so you possibly can simply make any menu choice, nicely, more healthy. The worst to simply order and eat as is although is the Nachos BellGrande.
Per giant dimension: 804 energy, 42 g fats (15 g saturated fats, 2 g trans fats), 1,761 mg sodium, 97 g carbs (9 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 10 g protein
Fries are sometimes a go-to relating to fast-food facet dishes, however these seasoned fries from Popeyes are available in at greater than 800 energy. And that is only a facet order with out factoring in the remainder of the meal! As an alternative, pair your popcorn shrimp or rooster sandwich with inexperienced beans or coleslaw.
Per sandwich: 740 energy, 39 g fats (14 g saturated fats, 2 g trans fats), 2,530 mg sodium, 52 g carbs (2 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 49 g protein
It is no secret that Arby’s prides itself on its roast beef sandwiches, however this menu choice is a no-go. Right here, an onion bun is filled with a half-pound of roast beef, cheddar cheese sauce, and pink ranch. Collectively, this makes for a sandwich that has greater than a whole day’s value of sodium! Take into account that The American Coronary heart Affiliation recommends not more than 2,300 milligrams a day of sodium, with the hopes of shifting towards a perfect restrict of not more than 1,500 milligrams.
Per 10-piece order: 1,010 energy, 79 g fats (27 g saturated fats, 1 g trans fats), 2,150 mg sodium, 6 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 69 g protein
At Checkers, the worst menu merchandise is not a burger, nevertheless it’s the rooster wings. They’re fried and smothered in a creamy parmesan sauce, making for a meal that’s filled with greater than 1,000 energy. Plus that sodium depend? No thanks!
Per giant dimension: 1,510 energy, 70 g fats (27 g saturated fats, 1.5 g trans fats), 770 mg sodium, 199 g carbs (9 g fiber, 151 g sugar), 35 g protein
Whereas the title of this frozen deal with from Dairy Queen sounds inviting, it is one you’ll certainly wish to by no means order. The Royal Rocky Street Journey Blizzard is made up of brownie items, peanuts, and cocoa fudge which might be blended with vanilla gentle serve and full of marshmallow. In case you suppose it will be a sugar overload, you are proper. A big order has greater than 1,500 energy and has extra sugar than 15 Krispy Kreme Unique Glazed Donuts.
Per giant dimension: 1,314 energy, 57 g fats (10 g saturated fats, 1 g trans fats), 1,327 mg sodium, 181 g carbs (21 g fiber, 6 g sugar), 20 g protein
The burgers from 5 Guys are what they’re greatest identified for, however the fries are equally as scrumptious. In case you’re tremendous hungry and find yourself ordering a big, you are then a facet order that has extra energy than a burger! Make sure you keep on with the “Little” dimension and bear in mind, sharing is all the time an excellent concept.
Per burger: 1,400 energy, 97 g fats (35 g saturated fats, 4.5 g trans fats), 2,780 mg sodium, 53 g carbs (4 g fiber, 13 g sugar), 86 g protein
This burger from Hardee’s is made up of two 1/3 pound charbroiled beef patties, 4 strips of bacon, three slices of American cheese, and mayonnaise. Right here, you get a day-and-a-half’s value of blood-pressure-raising salt, and with greater than 4 grams of trans fats, you may wish to simply put that burger down.
Per giant dimension: 1,060 energy, 55 g fats (20 g saturated fats, 1 g trans fats), 2,060 mg sodium, 100 g carbs (17 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 43 g protein
“Loaded” is a type of menu phrases you may wish to all the time be cautious of. It lets you understand that the meal goes to be coated—or ought to we are saying smothered—in toppings. These nachos from Del Taco are proof, as they’re piled excessive with beef, beans, a creamy Queso Blanco, bitter cream, tomatoes, and jalapeños. In case you’re actually within the temper for some, be certain you are sharing this and are solely having just a few chips.
Per order: 1,090 energy, 42 g fats (16 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 4,330 mg sodium, 123 g carbs (13 g fiber, 15 g sugar), 54 g protein
With regards to this rice bowl from Bojangles’, do not let the 13 grams of fiber and 54 grams of protein idiot you. It is greater than 1,000 energy and paired with the biscuit, you are greater than 4,300 milligrams of sodium. That’s almost two full days’ value of sodium. Huge yikes.
Per 20-oz dimension: 1,190 energy, 43 g fats (26 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 640 mg sodium, 182 g carbs (3 g fiber, 162 g sugar), 24 g protein
At A&W, the Polar Swirl is a beloved merchandise, however the scarily giant dimension of the M&M taste is the one to keep away from. These 162 grams of sugar are simply unreal! In case you occur to order this, it higher be to share with numerous pals, that is for positive.
Per burger: 1,050 energy, 70 g fats (34 g saturated fats), 2,320 mg sodium, (3 g fiber, 11 g sugar), 68 g protein
If you end up on the west coast, then you understand In-N-Out is a real fast-food star. The one factor you should not do is order the 4×4 burger, an merchandise from the restaurant’s secret menu. 4 burger patties are simply manner an excessive amount of and create a sandwich that’s excessive in fats, saturated fats, and has as a lot sodium as you ought to be consuming in a whole day.
Per 24-oz, giant dimension: 1,145 energy, 61 g fats (40 g saturated fats, 2 g trans fats), 529 mg sodium, 137 g carbs (2 g fiber, 107 g sugar), 17 g protein
It ought to come as no shock that milkshakes are all the time a pink flag on any menu and this Oreo Cookie taste from Jack within the Field is not any totally different. Simply do not even take into consideration ordering it!
Per sack dimension, 10 sticks: 1,490 energy, 111 g fats (31 g saturated fats, 1 g trans fats), 3,110 mg sodium, 77 g carbs (4 g fiber, 6 g sugar), 41 g protein
White Fortress has a “sack” dimension choice for its facet dishes and the sack of Mozzarella cheese sticks is simply downright scary. It is excessive in every thing it should not be, and low the place it ought to be, like fiber. Whereas this menu choice is clearly meant to be shared, everyone knows how straightforward it’s to get carried away and mindlessly eat these small sticks. It is higher to withstand temptation fully and simply not order this facet.
Per burrit0: 930 energy, 42 g fats (14 g saturated fats, 0.5 g trans fats), 3,110 mg sodium, 93 g carbs (9 g fiber, 4 g sugar), 40 g protein
It is all the time a little bit of a raffle while you’re ordering a burrito in comparison with while you’re making one your self at house, as you do not know simply how overly stuffed it will be. The California Queso Burrito from El Pollo Loco has greater than 900 energy and has almost a day and a half’s value of sodium. And that is with out factoring in any chips and guacamole or queso you almost certainly are munching on as nicely.
Per giant dimension: 1,510 energy, 95 g fats (22 g saturated fats, 0 g trans fats), 3,500 mg sodium, 131 g carbs (13 g fiber, 13 g sugar), 33 g protein
Between the energy, fats, and sodium depend you get with this order of fries from Wienerschnitzel, you are actually going to wish to ensure you’re splitting this facet order with loads of pals. You are higher off simply by no means ordering it.