Fast food may be a convenient option, but it often comes with significant health risks. A recent ranking from Eat This, Not That has highlighted some of the unhealthiest menu items from popular fast food chains. These meals are packed with excess calories, sodium, and unhealthy fats, making them the worst choices for your health.
While many fast food items may not be ideal, there are a few that stand out as particularly harmful. Some honorable mentions include the fried rice side from Panda Express, the bacon and sausage egg wrap from Starbucks, and the loaded Nashville hot fries bowl from KFC. Additionally, the cobb salad from Chick-fil-A, the Beast Sub from Subway, and Taco Bell’s sausage patty breakfast Crunchwrap are also notable mentions.
However, it’s the following five meals that top the list as the absolute worst. Here’s a breakdown of the top five fast food items you should avoid at all costs:
5. Burger King: Bacon King
The Bacon King from Burger King is a calorie-packed disaster. This burger features two beef patties, six slices of bacon, American cheese, ketchup, and mayonnaise. With a heavy amount of sodium, this meal can quickly derail any healthy eating habits, making it a poor choice for your diet.
4. Wendy’s: Big Bacon Classic Triple
Wendy’s Big Bacon Classic Triple takes unhealthy indulgence to a whole new level. This burger contains three beef patties, Applewood smoked bacon, American cheese, and a slew of toppings including lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, ketchup, and mayonnaise. With 86 grams of fat and 36 grams of saturated fat, it’s no wonder that consuming this burger may require a doctor’s visit afterward.
3. Popeyes: Signature Hot Bone-In Wings or Louisiana Garlic Bone-In Wings
Popeyes’ bone-in wings come as a surprising entry on this list. These fried wings, available in two flavors—Signature Hot or Louisiana Garlic—pack a massive amount of fat. Depending on the sauce, consuming just six wings can result in a shocking 94 to 98 grams of fat.
2. McDonald’s: Big Breakfast with Hotcakes
Starting your day with McDonald’s Big Breakfast with Hotcakes may sound tempting, but it’s one of the unhealthiest ways to begin your morning. This meal contains 158 grams of carbs, 63 grams of fat, and a staggering 2,070 milligrams of sodium, making it a poor choice for anyone looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
1. Dairy Queen: Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Basket
The undisputed champion of unhealthy fast food is Dairy Queen’s Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Basket. Although it may seem like a simple meal of chicken fingers and fries, this dish is packed with excessive sodium. With 3,570 milligrams of sodium, 61 grams of fat, and 186 grams of carbs, this meal will leave you feeling thirsty and bloated all day. It’s by far the worst option you can order from any fast food menu.
Avoiding these meals can help protect your health and keep you from overloading on unhealthy ingredients. The next time you visit a fast food chain, consider making a healthier choice to protect your long-term wellbeing.
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