Special Report
30 Popular Fast Foods That Are Real Calorie Bombs
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Most people who go to fast food restaurants are aware that they are not likely to get a super healthy, or even mildly healthy, meal. Fast foods are famous for being high in calories, fat, and salt. While some menu options like combos and platters exceed the daily recommended intake of calories, there are plenty of single food choices that contain at least a third of the calories a person should consume in a day.
The estimated daily calorie need varies from person to person, depending on several factors, including body mass index (BMI). Depending on the age, activity level, and BMI, the calories an adult male should consume range from 2,000-3,000 and an adult female from 1,600-2,400, according to the latest dietary guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture.
To compile a list of 30 popular fast foods that are caloric bombs, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the nutritional content of the food of about a dozen fast-food chains. Only single food options intended for individuals and with more than 700 calories were considered. Meals that contain more than one item were excluded.
Some popular fast-food items such as burgers probably contain more calories than most people think. They are often consumed with a side order and 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.
The recommended amount of sodium is less than 2,300 milligrams per day — and even less for people who are younger than 14, according to HHS’ dietary guidelines. How much fat a person should consume in a day depends on how many calories you need. In a diet of about 2,000 a day, the American Heart Association recommends aiming for about 13 grams of saturated fat — which often comes from meat and cheese. Both are a staple in fast foods.
Many fast-food restaurants offer healthy options like salads. But the word “salad” in a menu item can be deceiving — these are 40+ salads that are worse than a slice of cheese pizza.
Click here to see 30 popular fast foods that are real calorie bombs
Click here to see our detailed methodology
> Nacho Burrito – Steak
> Restaurant: Baja Fresh
> Calories: 1,150
> Total fat: 54 g
> Sodium: 2,800 mg
> Total carbs: 107 g
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> BACON KING™ Sandwich
> Restaurant: Burger King
> Calories: 1,150
> Total fat: 79 g
> Sodium: 2,150 mg
> Total carbs: 49 g
> Sweet & Spicy Bacon Burger
> Restaurant: Whataburger
> Calories: 1,095
> Total fat: 62 g
> Sodium: 2,310 mg
> Total carbs: 69 g
> Buffalo Mac & Cheese
> Restaurant: Buffalo Wild Wings
> Calories: 1,090
> Total fat: 67 g
> Sodium: 4,520 mg
> Total carbs: 76 g
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> Chicken Quesadilla
> Restaurant: Buffalo Wild Wings
> Calories: 1,030
> Total fat: 62 g
> Sodium: 2,590 mg
> Total carbs: 68 g
> Chips (5 oz.) and Guacamole (8 oz.)
> Restaurant: Baja Fresh
> Calories: 1,020
> Total fat: 55 g
> Sodium: 840 mg
> Total carbs: 119 g
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> Chicken Wings, Garlic Parmesan – 10 pieces
> Restaurant: Checkers & Rally’s
> Calories: 1,010
> Total fat: 79 g
> Sodium: 2,150 mg
> Total carbs: 06 g
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> Chili Cheese Fries
> Restaurant: Dairy Queen
> Calories: 990
> Total fat: 52 g
> Sodium: 2,280 mg
> Total carbs: 107 g
> Burrito Ultimo – Chicken
> Restaurant: Baja Fresh
> Calories: 970
> Total fat: 50 g
> Sodium: 2,040 mg
> Total carbs: 78 g
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> Baconator®
> Restaurant: Wendy’s
> Calories: 960
> Total fat: 66 g
> Sodium: 1,540 mg
> Total carbs: 36 g
> Whataburger® Patty Melt
> Restaurant: Whataburger
> Calories: 950
> Total fat: 61 g
> Sodium: 1,760 mg
> Total carbs: 45 g
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> Boneless wings — 15 pieces
> Restaurant: Buffalo Wild Wings
> Calories: 910
> Total fat: 46 g
> Sodium: 3,140 mg
> Total carbs: 51 g
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> Baconzilla!®
> Restaurant: Checkers & Rally’s
> Calories: 910
> Total fat: 62 g
> Sodium: 1,670 mg
> Total carbs: 43 g
> Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich
> Restaurant: Whataburger
> Calories: 910
> Total fat: 42 g
> Sodium: 2,430 mg
> Total carbs: 87 g
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> DOUBLE WHOPPER® Sandwich
> Restaurant: Burger King
> Calories: 900
> Total fat: 58 g
> Sodium: 1,050 mg
> Total carbs: 49 g
> Smoky BBQ Bacon Buford
> Restaurant: Checkers & Rally’s
> Calories: 900
> Total fat: 64 g
> Sodium: 1,860 mg
> Total carbs: 37 g
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> Fully Loaded Fries
> Restaurant: Checkers & Rally’s
> Calories: 870
> Total fat: 56 g
> Sodium: 2,190 mg
> Total carbs: 72 g
> Bacon Cheese Fries
> Restaurant: Shake Shack
> Calories: 840
> Total fat: 52 g
> Sodium: 1,570 mg
> Total carbs: 65 g
> Pretzel Bacon Pub Cheeseburger
> Restaurant: Wendy’s
> Calories: 840
> Total fat: 52 g
> Sodium: 1,310 mg
> Total carbs: 53 g
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> Signature Stackburger: Loaded A.1. Steakhouse – Double
> Restaurant: Dairy Queen
> Calories: 830
> Total fat: 65 g
> Sodium: 2,040 mg
> Total carbs: 49 g
> Pretzel Bacon Pub Classic Chicken
> Restaurant: Wendy’s
> Calories: 830
> Total fat: 43 g
> Sodium: 2,190 mg
> Total carbs: 69 g
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> Turkey, Ranch & Bacon Sandwich
> Restaurant: Arby’s
> Calories: 810
> Total fat: 35 g
> Sodium: 2,420 mg
> Total carbs: 79 g
> Bacon cheeseburger, double
> Restaurant: Shake Shack
> Calories: 800
> Total fat: 51 g
> Sodium: 2,510 mg
> Total carbs: 25 g
> Double ShackBurger®
> Restaurant: Shake Shack
> Calories: 790
> Total fat: 52 g
> Sodium: 2,280 mg
> Total carbs: 27 g
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> Nashville Hot Extra Crispy™ Chicken Breast
> Restaurant: KFC
> Calories: 770
> Total fat: 60 g
> Sodium: 1,530 mg
> Total carbs: 21 g
> Mega Chili Cheese Dog
> Restaurant: Dairy Queen
> Calories: 760
> Total fat: 49 g
> Sodium: 1,910 mg
> Total carbs: 49 g
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> Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Tenders (6 piece)
> Restaurant: McDonald’s
> Calories: 740
> Total fat: 44 g
> Sodium: 2,130 mg
> Total carbs: 31 g
> Double Quarter Pounder® with Cheese++
> Restaurant: McDonald’s
> Calories: 740
> Total fat: 26 g
> Sodium: 1,380 mg
> Total carbs: 40 g
> Greek Gyro
> Restaurant: Arby’s
> Calories: 710
> Total fat: 44 g
> Sodium: 1,360 mg
> Total carbs: 55 g
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> Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich
> Restaurant: Burger King
> Calories: 700
> Total fat: 42 g
> Sodium: 1,140 mg
> Total carbs: 57 g
Methodology
24/7 Tempo reviewed the nutritional content of about a dozen national and regional fast-food chains. We only selected single food options intended for individuals — such a sandwich or a burrito — with more than 700 calories. Meals that contain more than one item were excluded.
To find popular fast foods, we reviewed menus for signature or all-time favorite items as well as articles published on the fast-food restaurants’ sites about the popularity of certain foods. The items on our list are not necessarily the most popular a fast-food chain has to offer, and their availability may vary from region to region.
In cases where several very similar food items – such as the same burrito style but with a different topping or the same burger but with more than one patty – we selected the item with the fewer calories, but not fewer than 700.
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