Fast Foods With More Than Half the Calories You Should Eat in a Day

Special Report

Published: March 20, 2020 9:34 pm

Last Updated: March 21, 2020 8:09 am

Most people who go to fast food restaurants are fully aware that they are going to eat fairly unhealthy food that is high in calories, fat, and salt. While few items on fast-food menus exceed the daily recommended intake of calories, a surprisingly large number contain more than half of the calories a person should consume in a day.

The estimated daily calorie need for sedentary men between 18 and 50 years old is between 2,200 and 2,400 calories; for women it is between 1,800 and 2,000, according to dietary guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture. Of course, these recommendations change by age, gender, and lifestyle.

24/7 Tempo reviewed the nutritional content of every fast-food menu item of over a dozen fast food chains to compile a list of 40 single items with at least 1,000 calories. Only food items intended for individuals were considered. Meals that contain more than one item were not included.

Some popular fast-food items such as burgers and desserts probably contain more calories than most people think. They are often consumed with a side order or a drink, both of which are often high in calories as well because of high fat and sugar content. As a result, just one meal can end up containing more than all the calories a person needs in a day. And no doubt, it won’t be the only meal one has in a day.

All of the major fast food chains have lower-calorie options, particularly in their chicken sandwiches and salad offerings. You can also trim caloric intake by avoiding certain toppings and cheese – here are the fast-food items with the fewest calories.

Click here to see fast foods with more than half the calories you should eat in a day.

Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Tenders (20 piece)
> Restaurant: McDonald’s
> Calories: 2,500
> Sodium: 6,950 mg
> Carbohydrates: 126 g

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Chicken McNuggets (50 piece)
> Restaurant: McDonald’s
> Calories: 2,210
> Sodium: 4,210 mg
> Carbohydrates: 132 g

ALSO READ: The Unhealthiest Item in Every Fast-Food Chain in the US

Buffalo Chicken Rings – 20 Rings
> Restaurant: White Castle
> Calories: 1,790
> Sodium: 2,940 mg
> Carbohydrates: 47 g

Chicken McNuggets (40 piece)
> Restaurant: McDonald’s
> Calories: 1,770
> Sodium: 3,370 mg
> Carbohydrates: 105 g

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Cheeseburger Slammers
> Restaurant: Buffalo Wild Wings
> Calories: 1,559
> Sodium: 1,451 mg
> Carbohydrates: 98 g

The Sampler
> Restaurant: Buffalo Wild Wings
> Calories: 1,520
> Sodium: 3,120 mg
> Carbohydrates: 128 g

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Boneless Wings & Traditional Wings
> Restaurant: Buffalo Wild Wings
> Calories: 1,480
> Sodium: 7,940 mg
> Carbohydrates: 68 g

24/7 Wall St.
There Are 18 Fast Food Restaurants Serving Vegan Burgers

Meat Lover’s®
> Restaurant: Pizza Hut
> Calories: 1,470
> Sodium: 3,670 mg
> Carbohydrates: 123 g

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks – 10 Sticks
> Restaurant: White Castle
> Calories: 1,470
> Sodium: 2,850 mg
> Carbohydrates: 73 g

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Hash Round Nibblers – Sack
> Restaurant: White Castle
> Calories: 1,440
> Sodium: 1,830 mg
> Carbohydrates: 101 g

Quesadilla: Steak
> Restaurant: Baja Fresh
> Calories: 1,430
> Sodium: 2,600 mg
> Carbohydrates: 84 g

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Triple STACKER KING
> Restaurant: Burger King
> Calories: 1,370
> Sodium: 2,300 mg
> Carbohydrates: 51 g

24/7 Wall St.
The Most Iconic Items at America’s Biggest Fast Food Chains

Onion Chips – Select Regions – Sack
> Restaurant: White Castle
> Calories: 1,350
> Sodium: 1,950 mg
> Carbohydrates: 92 g

Chocolate Shake – Cincinnati region – large
> Restaurant: White Castle
> Calories: 1,350
> Sodium: 730 mg
> Carbohydrates: 234 g

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Nacho Burrito: Steak
> Restaurant: Baja Fresh
> Calories: 1,347
> Sodium: 3,224 mg
> Carbohydrates: 145 g

Chips and Guacamole
> Restaurant: Baja Fresh
> Calories: 1,340
> Sodium: 950 mg
> Carbohydrates: 141 g

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Hash Round Nibblers (New Jersey) – Sack
> Restaurant: White Castle
> Calories: 1,330
> Sodium: 1,520 mg
> Carbohydrates: 92 g

ALSO READ: Fast Food Chains With the Best Breakfast Menus

Vanilla Shake – Cincinnati region -large
> Restaurant: White Castle
> Calories: 1,330
> Sodium: 730 mg
> Carbohydrates: 229 g

Pepperoni Lover’s®
> Restaurant: Pizza Hut
> Calories: 1,290
> Sodium: 3,160 mg
> Carbohydrates: 124 g

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Triple Meat Italiano
> Restaurant: Pizza Hut
> Calories: 1,280
> Sodium: 3,070 mg
> Carbohydrates: 123 g

Supreme
> Restaurant: Pizza Hut
> Calories: 1,270
> Sodium: 2,920 mg
> Carbohydrates: 125 g

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Dan’s Original
> Restaurant: Pizza Hut
> Calories: 1,270
> Sodium: 2,810 mg
> Carbohydrates: 124 g

ALSO READ: Fast Food Items With the Most Calories

Nacho Burrito: Crispy Wahoo
> Restaurant: Baja Fresh
> Calories: 1,262
> Sodium: 2,910 mg
> Carbohydrates: 154 g

Burrito Ultimo®: Crispy Wahoo** w/ Mix Tortillas
> Restaurant: Baja Fresh
> Calories: 1,260
> Sodium: 2,740 mg
> Carbohydrates: 162 g

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Quesadilla: Veggie
> Restaurant: Baja Fresh
> Calories: 1,260
> Sodium: 2,310 mg
> Carbohydrates: 96 g

Buttermilk Crispy Tenders 10 pc
> Restaurant: McDonald’s
> Calories: 1,250
> Sodium: 3,480 mg
> Carbohydrates: 63 g

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Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Tenders Pressure Fried (10 piece)
> Restaurant: McDonald’s
> Calories: 1,230
> Sodium: 3,540 mg
> Carbohydrates: 51 g

24/7 Wall St.
The Healthiest Option at Every Fast Food Restaurant

Tostada: Steak
> Restaurant: Baja Fresh
> Calories: 1,230
> Sodium: 2,380 mg
> Carbohydrates: 98 g

TRIPLE WHOPPER® Sandwich with Cheese
> Restaurant: Burger King
> Calories: 1,220
> Sodium: 1,470 mg
> Carbohydrates: 50 g

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Spicy Sicilian
> Restaurant: Pizza Hut
> Calories: 1,220
> Sodium: 3,150 mg
> Carbohydrates: 126 g

Italian Sausage & Red Onion
> Restaurant: Pizza Hut
> Calories: 1,210
> Sodium: 2,550 mg
> Carbohydrates: 128 g

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Chicken Cheddar Bacon Ranch, Lg
> Restaurant: Blimpies
> Calories: 1,200
> Sodium: 3,240 mg
> Carbohydrates: 91 g

24/7 Wall St.
America’s Favorite Regional Fast Food Chains

Ultimate Cheese Lover’s
> Restaurant: Pizza Hut
> Calories: 1,200
> Sodium: 2,560 mg
> Carbohydrates: 121 g

Philly Cheesesteak, Lg
> Restaurant: Blimpies
> Calories: 1,190
> Sodium: 2,860 mg
> Carbohydrates: 89 g

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Chocolate Shake Nashville region – large
> Restaurant: White Castle
> Calories: 1,190
> Sodium: 500 mg
> Carbohydrates: 210 g

CHICKEN LIVERS* — 10 pieces
> Restaurant: Popeyes
> Calories: 1,190
> Sodium: 2,070 mg
> Carbohydrates: 65 g

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Nacho Burrito: Grilled Wahoo
> Restaurant: Baja Fresh
> Calories: 1,189
> Sodium: 2,839 mg
> Carbohydrates: 146 g

24/7 Wall St.
The Unhealthiest Item in Every Fast-Food Chain in the US

Popcorn, large
> Restaurant: Blimpies
> Calories: 1,070
> Sodium: 1,800 mg
> Carbohydrates: 113 g

Bacon Burger
> Restaurant: Burger King
> Calories: 1,110
> Sodium: 1,950 mg
> Carbohydrates: 48 g

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Hawaiian Luau
> Restaurant: Pizza Hut
> Calories: 1,150
> Sodium: 2,670 mg
> Carbohydrates: 129 g

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