Healthiest and Unhealthiest Fast-Food Burgers: New Study Reveals Top Picks for Health
Discover the healthiest fast-food burgers for a smarter indulgence!
If you love stopping by your favorite fast-food restaurant for a juicy burger but want to make healthier choices, you’re not alone.Research has found that two in three people consume fast food at least once a week. Even if you aren’t regularly swinging through the drive-thru to grab a bite, you may be wondering how to make a healthier choice without cutting out fast food entirely.
To answer this question, the content team at PlushCare analyzed burgers (and other popular menu items) from 24 American chain restaurants so customers could be more informed. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of which fast-food burgers (both beef and chicken) were deemed the healthiest and unhealthiest in their study.
Fast-food nutrition study: Healthiest and unhealthiest burgers
The PlushCare team decided to take a closer look at the offerings at the nation’s most popular fast-food restaurants to find the healthiest fast-food options. They created a formula for how they would compare menu items within the same category with the intent to assign fast-food burger rankings.
First, they noted the calories, sugar, saturated fat, and sodium using each restaurant’s nutrition menu. Burgers were then scored using the UK Department of Health’s nutrient profiling method. These “scores” were used to create a ranking of the unhealthiest options.
The results of the study comparing the healthiness of fast-food burgers
Beef burgers
Based on the scoring method, the Five Guys cheeseburger ranked as the unhealthiest fast-food burger due to its high saturated fat content. It received a score of 50, with its highest points (26) coming from saturated fat. (For comparison, the highest score for another burger in the saturated fat category was 15).
According to the Five Guys menu, the cheeseburger is described as “American-style cheese melted between fresh patties and placed on a soft, toasted sesame seed bun.” Customers can choose as many toppings as they want for the sandwich.
The healthiest fast-food burger, according to the PlushCare study, is the ButterBurger from Culver’s.This option was given an unhealthiness score of 17 and scored low on fat, sodium, and sugar.
Culver’s shares on its website that its burgers are made with fresh beef and include Wisconsin cheese and toppings. They are served on a lightly buttered bun. The traditional ButterBurger does not include cheese but has pickles, onions, ketchup, and mustard. It’s also offered with a single, double, or triple patty, which would ultimately impact its healthiness if one chooses a larger burger.
Want to make your own healthy burger at home? Check out these chef tips!
Chicken burgers
In the burger category, PlushCare also analyzed chicken burgers (or what most would refer to as a chicken sandwich). For this menu item, Popeyes’ classic chicken sandwich was ranked the unhealthiest chicken sandwich in the study, due to its high levels of saturated fat and sodium. The received score of 39 appeared to be primarily due to higher amounts of saturated fat and sodium.
On its menu, Popeyes describes the item as “a juicy chicken breast fillet marinated in Popeyes seasonings, hand-battered and breaded in our buttermilk system, fried until golden brown. Sandwiched between two buttery toasted brioche buns, topped with our barrel-cured pickle slices and classic mayo.” Bacon and cheese can also be added to the sandwich at an additional cost.
By contrast, the ranking of the healthiest chicken burger went to the McChicken at McDonald’s. Its score was less than half that of Popeyes’ sandwich, with a total of 14. The fast-food chain keeps the sandwich simple, with its menu stating it includes a chicken patty, shredded lettuce and mayonnaise on a toasted bun, making it one of the only low-calorie fast food burger options.
What does this mean for you?
It’s no secret that fast-food options are often loaded with extra calories, sodium, and more. If you’re not looking to indulge in comfort food, knowing which burger options are considered healthier can be useful when choosing a menu option. (For the full breakdown of all of the reviewed burgers and other fast-food items, visit the PlushCare website).
There are also factors to keep in mind when choosing between a beef and chicken burger from a restaurant chain. According to Healthline, beef offers protein, vitamins, and minerals that can help improve muscle growth. High-temperature cooking, however, can diminish the health benefits of red meat.
While the least healthy chicken sandwich still scored lower than the unhealthiest beef burger, these options have their own cons. Sodium, for instance, tends to be a problem among fast-food chicken burgers. A diet that includes too much sodium can result in stroke, heart disease, or high blood pressure.
Making smart fast-food choices and enjoying burgers in moderation can help you avoid lasting health issues while still indulging.
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