But being in such a pickle doesn’t mean you have to beeline it for the double-, triple- or quadruple-stacked patties! After all, eating too much red meat, which contains saturated fat, can drive up “bad” LDL cholesterol levels, increasing your risk for heart disease, according to Harvard Health Publishing. And eating too much of any kind of fat can lead to weight gain. To help you make smarter choices at the drive-thru, we turned to Kelly Kennedy, RD, resident nutritionist for Everyday Health. First things first: “Skip additional ingredients, such as cheese, mayo, and bacon, which add fat and calories but not much nutritional value,” says Kennedy, adding that you should avoid the multiple-patty sandwiches. “Go for the single patties,” Kennedy says. She also suggests adding as many veggies as possible, “even if it’s just tomatoes, lettuce, and onions.” RELATED: 8 Low-Carb Bun Alternatives for Grilling Season And when it comes to calorie count, Kennedy has a strict rule. “Try to stay under 300 calories,” she says, “and limit fat as much as possible (since it’s all from unhealthy saturated fat).” With those guidelines in mind, here’s what our dietitian would order from your favorite fast food chains:
Wendy’s Jr. Cheeseburger
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280Total fat: 13 grams (g)Saturated fat: 6gTotal carbs: 26gSugars: 6gProtein: 16g
Five Guys Bunless Little Hamburger
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 220Total fat: 17gSaturated fat: 8gTotal carbs: 6gSugars: 0gProtein: 16g
Shake Shack Plain, Single Hamburger
Nutrition Facts (single hamburger, w/potato bun):
Calories: 390Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 9gTotal Carbs: 25gSugars: 7gProtein: 24g
White Castle Original Slider
Nutrition Facts (One Slider)
Calories: 140Total fat: 6gSaturated fat: 2.5gTotal carbs: 13gSugars: 1gProtein: 7g
Burger King Veggie Burger
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320Total fat: 8gSaturated fat: 1gTotal carbs: 43gSugars: 9gProtein: 21g
In-N-Out Protein Style Burger
But if you’re looking to cut carbs, Kennedy says you can ask for “protein style” at practically any fast-food joint. “Restaurants like In-N-Out and Five Guys have been offering [protein style] for years,” she says. “But even if it’s not listed on the menu at your favorite establishment, ask if they’ll do it for you!” Nutrition Facts (Protein Style, With House Spread)
Calories: 240Total fat: 17gSaturated fat: 4gTotal carbs: 11gSugars: 7gProtein: 13g
McDonald’s Plain Hamburger
Nutrition Facts (Bun and Meat)
Calories: 240Total fat: 9gSaturated fat: 4gTotal carbs: 28gSugars: 4gProtein: 12g
Additional reporting by Katie Robinson
title: “Healthiest Fast Food Burgers” ShowToc: true date: “2023-01-10” author: “Donna Jones”
But being in such a pickle doesn’t mean you have to beeline it for the double-, triple- or quadruple-stacked patties! After all, eating too much red meat, which contains saturated fat, can drive up “bad” LDL cholesterol levels, increasing your risk for heart disease, according to Harvard Health Publishing. And eating too much of any kind of fat can lead to weight gain. To help you make smarter choices at the drive-thru, we turned to Kelly Kennedy, RD, resident nutritionist for Everyday Health. First things first: “Skip additional ingredients, such as cheese, mayo, and bacon, which add fat and calories but not much nutritional value,” says Kennedy, adding that you should avoid the multiple-patty sandwiches. “Go for the single patties,” Kennedy says. She also suggests adding as many veggies as possible, “even if it’s just tomatoes, lettuce, and onions.” RELATED: 8 Low-Carb Bun Alternatives for Grilling Season And when it comes to calorie count, Kennedy has a strict rule. “Try to stay under 300 calories,” she says, “and limit fat as much as possible (since it’s all from unhealthy saturated fat).” With those guidelines in mind, here’s what our dietitian would order from your favorite fast food chains:
Wendy’s Jr. Cheeseburger
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280Total fat: 13 grams (g)Saturated fat: 6gTotal carbs: 26gSugars: 6gProtein: 16g
Five Guys Bunless Little Hamburger
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 220Total fat: 17gSaturated fat: 8gTotal carbs: 6gSugars: 0gProtein: 16g
Shake Shack Plain, Single Hamburger
Nutrition Facts (single hamburger, w/potato bun):
Calories: 390Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 9gTotal Carbs: 25gSugars: 7gProtein: 24g
White Castle Original Slider
Nutrition Facts (One Slider)
Calories: 140Total fat: 6gSaturated fat: 2.5gTotal carbs: 13gSugars: 1gProtein: 7g
Burger King Veggie Burger
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320Total fat: 8gSaturated fat: 1gTotal carbs: 43gSugars: 9gProtein: 21g
In-N-Out Protein Style Burger
But if you’re looking to cut carbs, Kennedy says you can ask for “protein style” at practically any fast-food joint. “Restaurants like In-N-Out and Five Guys have been offering [protein style] for years,” she says. “But even if it’s not listed on the menu at your favorite establishment, ask if they’ll do it for you!” Nutrition Facts (Protein Style, With House Spread)
Calories: 240Total fat: 17gSaturated fat: 4gTotal carbs: 11gSugars: 7gProtein: 13g
McDonald’s Plain Hamburger
Nutrition Facts (Bun and Meat)
Calories: 240Total fat: 9gSaturated fat: 4gTotal carbs: 28gSugars: 4gProtein: 12g
Additional reporting by Katie Robinson
