Hardees on Monday unveiled its new breakfast burrito (right), a 920 calorie breakfast item with a whopping 60 grams of fat for the low price of $2.69 each.
With ten menu items with more than 1,000 calories each, the bulk of their menu items being between 900 and 500 calories each, and the only items even close to 100 calories each being condiments, it's no wonder Americans are tipping the scales at record rates.
If you live alone or even with a roommate, it can be difficult to cook just for one or two people without having a week's worth of leftovers that, if you're like me, end up sitting in the frig until garbage night. Or worse, you forget about them until there is a stench so strong every time you open the door. So you throw out everything in the frig regardless of their expiration dates in fear that the odor might have penetrated the container, contaminating the food. But before you hit that drive thru, check out how other fast food restaurants rate. Below you'll find a few of the major national fast food chains and information on the number of high calorie menu items versus low calorie menu items offered.
Think you're being healthier by choosing the 10 piece Premium Chicken Selects over the Big Mac at McDonalds? Think again. The tenders pack in McDonald's highest calorie count at 1,270 calories as opposed to the Big Mac's 570. Of course neither is a great choice if you're counting calories, so if you absolutely have to have chicken in dippable form, choose the six piece nuggets with 250 calories but beware of the 15 grams of fat. And don't forget the dipping sauces pack anywhere from their spicy buffalo sauce with 60 calories (100% from fat) to 45 calories (0 grams fat) for the BBQ sauce. For breakfast, stay away from the deluxe breakfast, which is the second highest calorie item on the menu with 1,200 calories. Instead, pick the Egg McMuffin with 300 calories. You can even throw in a hash brown and a coffee and not top 500 calories. And it's portable so you won't be late for your 8AM meeting! Overall, McDonalds offers five items with more than 1,000 calories, three of which are the triple thick shakes, and five entree salads under 400 calories (beware of the dressings and choose low-fat, low-cal versions) and a wealth of other items anywhere in between.
At Burger King, stay away from anything with the word "triple," as in Triple Whopper anything, which all are in the over 1,000 calorie range. And don't even think about making your milkshake a "king." The chocolate and strawberry king size shakes shake up the menu with 1,260 and 1,230 calories! The highest on the menu. With six menu items over 1,000 calories and the bulk of their items between 990 and 500 calories each, it makes getting a meal while maintaining the recommended daily caloric intake rates pretty difficult regardless of whether you're there for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Take a cheeseburger, onion rings, large coke, add in the zesty dipping sauce and you're up to 1090 calories.
Taco Bell, while not exactly healthy, comes in a bit better with no items over 1,000 calories! Wow. I didn't think it was possible! However, if you think you're being good by ordering the Fiesta Salad, you're not. It tops the menu with 860 calories. And watch out for the fat when you cross the border. Many items have nearly half their calories from fat. Taco Bell offers the widest range of foods in all calorie ranges with a handful in each range anywhere from the 790 calorie Zesty Chicken Border Bowl down to 170 calorie Crunchy Taco. But if you're really counting your calories, stick to the "el fresco" items, which all have under 200 calories each.
We've all heard it before, it's all about moderation. Eat healthfully and exercise regularly and on occasion you can splurge for that fast food meal when you're you're in a hurry to get to work, too tired to cook, can't deal with leftovers, or in desperate need for grease to cure that hangover. Just choose your grease wisely.
With ten menu items with more than 1,000 calories each, the bulk of their menu items being between 900 and 500 calories each, and the only items even close to 100 calories each being condiments, it's no wonder Americans are tipping the scales at record rates.
If you live alone or even with a roommate, it can be difficult to cook just for one or two people without having a week's worth of leftovers that, if you're like me, end up sitting in the frig until garbage night. Or worse, you forget about them until there is a stench so strong every time you open the door. So you throw out everything in the frig regardless of their expiration dates in fear that the odor might have penetrated the container, contaminating the food. But before you hit that drive thru, check out how other fast food restaurants rate. Below you'll find a few of the major national fast food chains and information on the number of high calorie menu items versus low calorie menu items offered.
Think you're being healthier by choosing the 10 piece Premium Chicken Selects over the Big Mac at McDonalds? Think again. The tenders pack in McDonald's highest calorie count at 1,270 calories as opposed to the Big Mac's 570. Of course neither is a great choice if you're counting calories, so if you absolutely have to have chicken in dippable form, choose the six piece nuggets with 250 calories but beware of the 15 grams of fat. And don't forget the dipping sauces pack anywhere from their spicy buffalo sauce with 60 calories (100% from fat) to 45 calories (0 grams fat) for the BBQ sauce. For breakfast, stay away from the deluxe breakfast, which is the second highest calorie item on the menu with 1,200 calories. Instead, pick the Egg McMuffin with 300 calories. You can even throw in a hash brown and a coffee and not top 500 calories. And it's portable so you won't be late for your 8AM meeting! Overall, McDonalds offers five items with more than 1,000 calories, three of which are the triple thick shakes, and five entree salads under 400 calories (beware of the dressings and choose low-fat, low-cal versions) and a wealth of other items anywhere in between.
At Burger King, stay away from anything with the word "triple," as in Triple Whopper anything, which all are in the over 1,000 calorie range. And don't even think about making your milkshake a "king." The chocolate and strawberry king size shakes shake up the menu with 1,260 and 1,230 calories! The highest on the menu. With six menu items over 1,000 calories and the bulk of their items between 990 and 500 calories each, it makes getting a meal while maintaining the recommended daily caloric intake rates pretty difficult regardless of whether you're there for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Take a cheeseburger, onion rings, large coke, add in the zesty dipping sauce and you're up to 1090 calories.
Taco Bell, while not exactly healthy, comes in a bit better with no items over 1,000 calories! Wow. I didn't think it was possible! However, if you think you're being good by ordering the Fiesta Salad, you're not. It tops the menu with 860 calories. And watch out for the fat when you cross the border. Many items have nearly half their calories from fat. Taco Bell offers the widest range of foods in all calorie ranges with a handful in each range anywhere from the 790 calorie Zesty Chicken Border Bowl down to 170 calorie Crunchy Taco. But if you're really counting your calories, stick to the "el fresco" items, which all have under 200 calories each.
We've all heard it before, it's all about moderation. Eat healthfully and exercise regularly and on occasion you can splurge for that fast food meal when you're you're in a hurry to get to work, too tired to cook, can't deal with leftovers, or in desperate need for grease to cure that hangover. Just choose your grease wisely.
1 comment:
LEAVE HARDEES ALONE!!!!! They are going through a tough time right you - you don't UNDERSTAND! LEAVE HARDEES ALONE!
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