Fast-food cheeseburgers are a popular indulgence for many people, but not all cheeseburgers are created equal when it comes to healthiness. In a recent analysis conducted by telehealth medical provider PlushCare, the most unhealthy cheeseburgers from 16 fast-food chains were revealed. The research team examined the nutritional value of each cheeseburger by consulting the nutritional menu for information on calories, sugar, saturated fat, and sodium content. They then cross-referenced this data with the Department of Health’s nutrient profiling method to score the relative unhealthiness of each item.
Five Guys topped the list as the chain with the most unhealthy cheeseburger, scoring 50 unhealthiness points. According to the official site, their cheeseburger contains a whopping 980 calories, 55 grams of fat, and 1,050 milligrams of sodium. Whataburger and Smash Burger tied for second place with a score of 42, while Carl’s Jr. came in fourth with 37 points. Surprisingly, McDonald’s and Burger King tied for the second to last least unhealthy options, both scoring 18 points. Culver’s, on the other hand, offered the least unhealthy cheeseburger option with a score of 17.
In addition to analyzing cheeseburgers, PlushCare also assessed the healthiness of fries. Five Guys once again took the top spot for having the least healthy fries, scoring 28 points. Steak ‘n Shake came in second with 19 points. Interestingly, McDonald’s fries ranked towards the bottom, second to last on the unhealthy list, with a score of 7. In-N-Out had the least unhealthy fries, scoring only 6 points.
Moving on to chicken nuggets, Popeye’s claimed the title for the most unhealthy option with 30 points. Arby’s came in second with 29 points, followed by Shake Shack with 26 points. Surprisingly, McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets were found to be the least unhealthy option, scoring 18 points.
When it comes to vanilla shakes, Fatburger’s offering topped the list as the unhealthiest with 63 points, followed closely by Sonic with 55 points. On the other end of the spectrum, McDonald’s had the least unhealthy vanilla shake with 26 points.
Lastly, PlushCare analyzed chicken sandwiches, and Popeye’s came out on top as the most unhealthy option with 39 points. Fatburger claimed second place, with Zaxby’s following closely behind in third. McDonald’s chicken sandwich was found to be the least unhealthy option, scoring just 14 points.
Based on these findings, McDonald’s lovers can take solace in the fact that there are worse options out there when it comes to fast-food indulgences. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these rankings are based solely on a scoring system for relative unhealthiness and may not take into account other factors such as taste or quality. It’s always a good idea to enjoy these treats in moderation and make healthier choices whenever possible.
