Among the hallmarks of foods with poor nutrition are a low content of health-promoting nutrients and a high content of "risky" nutrients, or those that can harm your health when consumed in excess. This unhealthy balance exists in many items on fast-food menus. Low vitamin, mineral and fiber content and high amounts of fat, cholesterol, sugar and sodium define a poor diet. To safeguard your health, watch out for fast foods with the worst nutritional values.
Biscuit Sandwiches, 562 Calories
Animal-based foods such as eggs and pork sausage contain both saturated fat and cholesterol, two risky nutrients that can upset your blood cholesterol balance and clog your arteries. Combining these two foods is bad for your health. Placing them on a biscuit, which also contains fat, raises total fat content high enough to offset the beneficial nutrients such as protein and iron. According to the USDA, a biscuit, egg and sausage breakfast sandwich delivers over 50 percent of total fat and sodium daily values. Cholesterol content is nearly 100 percent DV or your full daily allowance in one entree.
Double Burgers, 540 Calories
A sandwich that has two portions of beef delivers large amounts of saturated animal fat and cholesterol. The majority of a large double-patty hamburger's 49 percent DV of total fat is saturated fat. The 40 percent DV of dietary cholesterol and 33 percent DV of sodium -- which contributes to high blood pressure -- aren't good for your cardiovascular health.
Tacos, 571 Calories
The nutritional value of the veggie and grain ingredients in a large fast-food taco isn't enough to make them healthy to eat. Again, 32 percent DV of total fat includes a substantial saturated content from beef added to that from oil used for frying. Nearly 30 percent DV of cholesterol is considered high by the FDA, while sodium from the multiple salty ingredients exceeds 50 percent DV.
Super-Sized Sodas
Sizes and calorie counts of carbonated sodas, which have no nutritional value other than sugar, vary by fast-food restaurant. If you usually order a regular, sweetened cola drink, add 137 calories and 33 g of sugar per 12 oz. to your daily totals. To control your weight and your cardiovascular risk, the American Heart Association suggests limiting sugar intake to 60 g per week, so larger sizes or more frequent orders of sugary drinks can send you over the limit quickly.
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