By Amber Roman
Sep 18, 2024, 5:53 PM EDT
Cheeseburgers are an iconic dish in fast food offerings worldwide. However, not all burgers are created equal when it comes to their impact on health.
A recent analysis conducted by telehealth provider PlushCare has shed light on which cheeseburgers are the unhealthiest among 16 major fast food chains.
The study focused on the nutritional evaluation of these burgers, considering several factors important for health, such as the amount of calories, saturated fat content, sodium levels and sugar.
The team of researchers compared the nutritional menus provided by fast food chains with the criteria established in the Department of Health’s nutritional profile method. This approach allowed to develop a ranking based on the relative unhealthiness of each burger, thus reflecting the potential impact on consumers’ health.
Among the top results, Five Guys took the unfortunate first place, being the chain that offers the most unhealthy cheeseburger, with an unhealthiness score of 50 points.
This result is due to the fact that its burger contains no less than 980 calories, 55 grams of fat and 1,050 milligrams of sodium, These figures far exceed the daily recommendations for a balanced diet. These components not only increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, but can also contribute to weight gain and other health complications.
In second place, tied with a score of 42, are Whataburger and Smash Burger. Both chains offer burgers with a similar nutritional profile that also positions them as unhealthy options. Carl’s Jr. is not far behind, ranking fourth with 37 unhealthy points, suggesting that consumers should be careful when opting for these alternatives.
The study also extended beyond cheeseburgers, evaluating other popular fast-food menu items. When it came to fries, Five Guys was again crowned the chain with the unhealthiest fries, scoring 28 points, while Steak ‘n Shake came in second with 19 points.
On the other hand, McDonald’s surprised again by appearing at the bottom of the list, with a score of 7 points, making them a relatively healthier option than the competition, though not the best. In-N-Out’s fries, with just 6 points, turned out to be the least harmful of all.
The analysis didn’t stop there. Other popular foods like chicken nuggets were also investigated, revealing that McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets are the unhealthiest of all the chains tested, with a score of 18 points. Popeye’s topped the list for the unhealthiest nuggets, scoring 30 points, followed closely by Arby’s and Shake Shack.
Finally, vanilla shakes were also analysed. Fatburger’s vanilla shake was ranked as the most harmful, with 63 points, beating Sonic’s by 8 points, which came in second place.
At the other end of the spectrum, McDonald’s again ranked last on the list of unhealthiest milkshakes, with just 26 points, making it a less unhealthy option for dessert lovers.
Continue reading:
- Reducing sugar and starch intake improves irritable bowel syndrome
- Loneliness doesn’t cause as many diseases as we thought: study
- Nearly 40 million people could die from superbug crisis by 2050