Fast food is widely known as an unhealthy dining option, but a recent study shows that some chains are far worse than others.
A new survey by Plushcare, a virtual primary care website, analyzed the nutritional content of popular items from 24 fast-food chains and revealed the unhealthiest burgers, fries, chicken nuggets, chicken sandwiches, and vanilla shakes in America.
Among the findings, Five Guys is the chain with the unhealthiest burger and fries.
Five Guys: The Worst Offender
According to the study, Five Guys serves the most unhealthy cheeseburger. Their cheeseburger contains 73% more saturated fat than any other fast-food burger analyzed, making it a high-risk option for heart health and weight gain.
Eating this burger often can be bad for your health because it has a lot of saturated fat, which can raise your cholesterol and lead to heart problems.
Additionally, Five Guys French fries are the least nutritious among all the fast-food chains included in the study. A single order of their fries packs a whopping 953 calories, nearly 50% more unhealthy than fries from other chains. This makes a meal at Five Guys especially calorific and loaded with unhealthy fats.
The researchers noted, “While some fats are healthy, saturated fats carry a heart disease risk and can lead to weight gain.”
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How The Study Was Conducted?
Plushcare compared nutritional data from the fast-food chains’ menus to determine which chains serve the most unhealthy food. The survey focused on five traditional fast food items: burgers, chicken nuggets, chicken sandwiches, French fries, and vanilla shakes.
The researchers looked at calorie content, sugar levels, saturated fat, and sodium amounts for each item, scoring them based on the Department of Health’s nutrient profiling system.
Popeyes Chicken Nuggets And Sandwiches Rank Poorly
Popeyes also ranked poorly in the study, specifically in the chicken nugget and chicken sandwich categories. Their chicken nuggets were the unhealthiest, containing twice as much saturated fat as nuggets from most other fast-food chains. High sodium levels also contributed to Popeyes being marked as an unhealthy choice.
Every chicken nugget analyzed, except for those from McDonald’s, had sodium levels in the double digits. But Popeyes stands out because of its significantly higher saturated fat content.
The Popeyes chicken sandwich is also ranked as the least nutritious in its category due to its high sodium levels, which exceed the recommended daily limit set by the American Heart Association.
To help you understand better, the American Heart Association suggests eating no more than 1,500 milligrams of salt each day. However, many of the unhealthiest fast-food chicken sandwiches, including the one from Popeyes, contain more than 1,642 milligrams of sodium in a single serving.
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Fatburger’s Vanilla Shake: A Sugar Bomb
According to the study, Fatburger has the unhealthiest vanilla shake for those with a sweet tooth. A single serving of their vanilla shake contains 890 calories, 30 grams of saturated fat, and 86 grams of sugar.
Consuming one of these shakes as part of a fast-food meal can easily push you over the daily recommended limits for fat and sugar intake, making it one of the most indulgent (and unhealthy) options available.
Healthier Eating Still a Challenge For Americans
Despite growing awareness about the negative health impacts of fast food, about half of Americans are trying to eat more healthily. However, the World Economic Forum reports that 46% of people find it difficult to do so due to the high cost of healthier food options.
While some may turn to fast food because of its convenience and affordability, this study highlights the importance of making better dining choices when possible.
With rising concerns about heart disease, obesity, and other health issues linked to poor dietary habits, Americans must consider the nutritional value of their meals and opt for healthier options whenever they can.