The Wendy's fast food chain has locations throughout the United States. One menu item that sets Wendy's apart from other fast food restaurants is its baked potatoes, which can be ordered in place of french fries. The fries contain up to 530 calories and 25 g of fat per serving. You can choose several toppings for the Wendy's baked potato, each with a different calorie and nutrient count.
Calories
Potatoes topped with sour cream and chives or broccoli and cheese are lower in calories than a medium or large order of french fries. When you eat at a fast food restaurant, calories can be a concern because many items are high in fat. The toppings are what add the bulk of the calories to your baked potato. A sour cream and chives potato contains 320 calories, a broccoli and cheese potato has 330 calories, and a bacon and cheese potato contains 440 calories.
Fat
Fat is another concern when eating at fast food restaurants like Wendy's. The majority of fast food menu items have an unhealthy amount of fat, and excessive fat consumption can increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The potatoes are lower in fat than french fries, which makes them a healthier side order. The sour cream and chives potato has 4 g of fat, the broccoli and cheese potato has 2 g, and the bacon and cheese contains 12 g.
Sodium
The majority of fast foods are high in sodium, which decreases the nutritional value of your meal. Too much salt can contribute to an increased risk of stroke, heart disease and high blood pressure. The sour cream and chives potato contains the least sodium with just 50 mg, but the other options have similar amounts of sodium to an order of fries. The broccoli and cheese potato has 470 mg of sodium and the bacon and cheese potato contains 860 mg.
Nutrients
A plain baked potato with skin is a healthy source of fiber, vitamin C and iron. The toppings can add an additional boost of nutrition, making Wendy's baked potatoes a healthier choice than french fries. The sour cream and chives potato contains 7 g of fiber, 8 g of protein, 60 percent of your daily requirement for vitamin C and 8 percent of your daily iron needs. The broccoli and cheese potato has 8 g of fiber, 11 g of protein, 110 percent of the vitamin C you need every day, and 20 percent of your calcium and iron needs. The bacon and cheese potato supplies you with 7 g of fiber, 16 g of protein, 70 percent of your daily vitamin C needs and 20 percent of the iron you need each day.
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