All fast food menus tempt us with towering burgers covered in cheese, sauces, and crispy toppings, but some of these sandwiches deliver more than flavor.
Beyond the sizzle and crunch, though, some burgers are nutritional landmines, loaded with calories, trans fat, and refined carbs, yet relatively little protein to keep you feeling full.
The result? A meal that can destroy your health goals in a few bites. What are the worst offenders in America’s fast food hamburger scene? Here are nine of the unhealthiest burgers, in each case a cautionary tale for your next drive-thru visit.
9. Whopper Sandwich with Cheese – Burger King
Burger King’s Whopper with Cheese is as delicious as it is iconic; however, it contains and delivers calories, saturated fat, and sodium in ungodly dosages. The addition of a large sesame seed bun, a slice of cheese, and condiments that are chock-full of refined carbs and unhealthy fats will easily derail your health goals.
While it’s filling, the nutritional profile isn’t as attractive. It relies heavily on processed ingredients and added calories, so it’s a burger to indulge in rather than make a regular occurrence.
8. Big Mac – McDonald’s
The Big Mac is an icon worldwide, but it’s also a perfect example of a burger packed with calories, trans fat, and net carbs.
With its three-part bun, two beef patties, special sauce, and cheese, this burger ensures the protein total doesn’t tip over the edge while still throwing plenty of processed fare into the ring.
This fast food favorite is definitely something you should treat yourself to occasionally, not something you want to eat every day.
7. Meatball Marinara – Subway
While it may not be a classic burger, Subway’s Meatball Marinara sandwich makes the list of unhealthy restaurant lunches because of its carb-loaded white roll, processed meatballs and sugar-laden marinara sauce.
It is high in sodium, saturated fat, and calories but very little protein and fiber, which makes it more of a splurge than a good food choice.
6. Chicken Jr. Sandwich – Burger King
For such a small sandwich, Burger King’s Chicken Jr. Sandwich is jam-packed with unhealthy fats and refined carbs.
With its breaded chicken patty and processed bun, there’s not much protein and fiber, so it’s not going to satisfy you for very long, and you’re going to be inclined to eat more later in the day.
5. Crispy Grilled Cheese on Sourdough – Starbucks
Starbucks’ Crispy Grilled Cheese on Sourdough seems like an odd choice for this list. But it’s packed with cheese and butter, saturated fat, and calories.
The sourdough bread provides refined carbs and not enough protein, so it won’t satisfy hunger effectively, making it a comfort food that’s tough on your health.
4. Classic Chicken Sandwich – Popeyes
Popeyes’ Classic Chicken Sandwich is known for its crunch and notorious for its nutritional drawbacks. The thickly breaded deep-fried chicken breast paired with a buttery bun results in a sandwich high in calories, trans fat, and net carbs. It’s a delicious yet unhealthy option, particularly when trying to avoid processed fats and sugars.
3. Original Chicken Sandwich – Burger King
Burger King’s Original Chicken Sandwich is a deep-fried calorie monstrosity. It’s battered chicken and with a long bun delivers a double dose of refined carbs and unhealthy fats.
Despite it being chicken, it’s not as lean as you might think, and it contains an unhealthy dose of trans fat that is linked to heart disease and other health risks.
2. Classic Smashed Jack – Jack in the Box
Just don’t eat the Classic Smashed Jack burger — it packs in so many calories and trans fat, it’s only a modest protein intake.
With processed cheese, creamy sauces, and a buttery bun, its fat and carb numbers soar into unhealthy territory.
It is one of those typical fast food burgers that’s way too big, filled with excess ingredients that you don’t need or want in a healthy diet.
1. Big Fish Sandwich – Burger King
Ranked as the most unhealthy fast food sandwich, Burger King’s Big Fish Sandwich is a nutritional nightmare in a wrapper.
Despite being fish-based, it’s stacked with processed carbs from the bun and breading, delivering shockingly little protein.
It also has the highest net carbs and calorie content, which makes it the worst offender for satisfying hunger and the most likely to cause overeating later on.
This countdown shows how quickly you are in danger of exceeding your recommended daily intake of calories, fats, and carbs with typical fast-food burgers. So before you’re tempted to indulge a fast-food craving next time, just remember there is more to that bun than simply meets your taste.
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