If you are constantly on the go, you may be one of millions of Americans who eat fast food on a regular basis. However, this can present a problem if you are trying to eat nutritiously. According to a 1996 study by the Beltsville Human Nutrition Center and published by the American College of Nutrition, frequent fast food consumption often leads to weight gain. The study also showed that people who ate fast food on the day they were tested had excessively high energy density levels and were low in essential micronutrients. When watching your weight and being mindful of fat, sodium and cholesterol, it may be helpful to know which foods to avoid at the most common fast food restaurants.
Fat and Cholesterol
When eating at McDonald's, you might assume that the hamburgers might contain more fat than any other menu items. However, the menu item with the highest amount of fat is 10 pieces of the Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips with 66 g of fat. Following shortly behind is the Deluxe Breakfast with 60 fat grams. McDonald's Deluxe Breakfast also has the highest amount of cholesterol per serving at 480 g. A Big Mac has 80 g of cholesterol and a large milkshake has 100 g.
Calories and Sodium
If you eat a Deluxe Breakfast from McDonald's, you have almost enough calories for the whole day with a whopping 1,220 calories. Other high-calorie items include a large Triple-Thick Shake with
1,110 calories and a Big Mac with 560 calories. A Double Whopper with Cheese from Burger King has 1,020 calories and the Sausage Egg and Cheese Biscuit has 650 calories and 1,600 g of sodium.
A Sausage Egg and Cheese McGriddles Sandwich from McDonald's has 1,290 g of sodium. Only three pieces of the Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips contain 930 g. Head to Wendy's and eat a Bacon and Cheese Baked Potato and get 530 calories. Wendy's Big Bacon Classic Hamburger contains 1,500 g of sodium.
Carbohydrates
The carbohydrate count of McDonald's sandwich menu ranges between 35 g with a cheeseburger to 50 g with a Crispy Chicken Sandwich. If trying to cut carbs, you definitely want to avoid the ice cream products such as the M&M McFlurry with 96 carbs in a 12 ounce serving. The highest carb count of a Burger King item is found in a King-Sized French Fries with 72 g of carbs. Their BK Big Fish Sandwich follows shortly behind with 71 g of carbohydrates.
Protein and Fiber
High in protein, a Double Quarter Pounder With Cheese from McDonald's contains 47 g. Eat a Double Whopper at Burger King and get 38 g of protein. Wendy's Chicken Club Sandwich has 30 g of protein.
The fiber content in McDonald's food is generally very low. Even the salads contain only 3 g of fiber. The McDonald's menu item with the most fiber is a large order of french fries with 7 g. Burger King's menu is also lacking in fiber as the highest amount found is in an order of King-Size Onion Rings or fries with 5 g. The menu at Wendy's has a bit more fiber than the others, with the highest fiber items being the taco salad and baked potato having 8 to 9 grams.
Healthier Alternatives
A vanilla, reduced fat ice cream cone from McDonald's is a good choice to satisfy your sweet tooth with only 150 calories. Other healthier items include the Fruit & Yogurt Parfait and Apple Dippers. The Bacon Ranch Salad without chicken only has 130 calories and 9 grams of carbohydrates. At Burger King, you can eat eight Chicken Tenders and only get 340 calories. If eating at Wendy's, a plain potato or large chili are good choices at only 310 calories.
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