Many of the worst foods to eat are fatty foods, or those whose fat content overshadows the rest of their nutritional make-up. Cholesterol, salt, sugar and/or high calories often accompany fat, especially in processed and fast foods. The ratio of fat to protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, however, is what makes a fatty food item good or bad.
The FDA considers servings of food "high" in fat if they have 13 g or more out of a 65 g total daily fat intake. Such food portions contain 20 percent or more of the daily value, or DV, of fat. The worst offenders have twice that content.
Fast-Food Milk Shakes
A chocolate or vanilla ice cream milk shake at the drive-through will add 22 g of fat and 493 calories to your daily totals, reports the USDA Nutrient Database. In an average 2,000-calorie diet, that constitutes 33 percent DV of fat and nearly one-quarter of the day's calories in just one 16-oz. serving. The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans note that this leaves few remaining calories to get the essential nutrients for body function, without exceeding limits and gaining weight.
Barbecued Ribs
Unlike milk shakes that build fat content from eggs, sugar and cream, fatty meat cuts such as pork or beef ribs are simply high-fat foods on their own. While a 3-oz. serving of barbecued ribs contains protein and B vitamins, 24 g of fat and 337 calories or more make ribs some of the worst foods to eat. The National Institutes of Health advises eating leaner meats.
Double Cheeseburgers
The American Heart Association (AHA) notes that many fast-food meat portions already exceed the recommended 3-oz serving. A double-patty cheeseburger goes overboard, providing as much as 27 g of fat and 488 calories.
Fried Fish and Chicken Sandwiches
The AHA includes breaded and fried fish and chicken sandwiches among the worst fat foods to eat. These may incorporate mayonnaise or tartar sauce to raise fat totals to as much as 30 g and calories to as many as 523 in a serving, per the USDA.
Tacos
The fat content of tacos comes from caloric meat, cheese, oils and other fat food ingredients. The USDA lists a large taco as high in iron and potassium, but with a greater proportion of fat at 32 g in 571 calories.
Biscuit Sandwiches
Biscuit, egg and sausage breakfast sandwiches represent one of the worst foods to eat for their fat content, which comes from all ingredients. The USDA reports totals of 37 g of fat and 562 calories -- and without adding cheese, side dishes or beverages.
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