Craving Chick-fil-A? You’re not alone. This beloved fast food restaurant is a favorite spot for many people—but if you’re trying to eat healthy, it can be difficult to get your fast food fix while staying on track with your goals.
Although there are healthy fast food options out there, the sad truth is that most meals out there are terrible for your body when eaten in excess, and the Chick-fil-A menu is no exception. In addition to knowing the best options to order, it helps to know exactly what to avoid. Below, we’re rounding up a few of the least healthy Chick-fil-A items, according to health experts, to help you out next time you pull up to the drive-thru.
1. Chick-fil-A Sauce
We'll start by ripping the band-aid off—that delicious Chick-fil-A sauce is terrible for you. As much as everyone loves that creamy goodness, the nutrition facts speak for themselves. "This sauce contains high amounts of fat, at 13 grams per serving, due to it being made with soybean oil and egg yolks," warns Lisa Richards, nutritionist and creator of The Candida Diet. And the calorie content is no joke, either. Richards points out that "the sauce also contains 140 calories per serving and 270mg of sodium." Yikes! When you add in the fact that it contains 9 grams of sugar per serving—a quarter of the daily recommended intake—it's safe to say you should avoid consuming this sauce in excess.
2. Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit
Nothing hits the spot quite like Chick-fil-A breakfast. Unfortunately, Joanna Ayalloore, MS, RD, LDN toldEat This, Not That! the sausage, egg, & cheese biscuit is one of the least healthy items on the menu. It packs in 18 grams of fat per serving; believe it or not, that's 82% of the recommended daily limit. Say it ain't so! Plus, processed meats like sausage come with a plethora of health risks. They're best to be avoided whenever possible.
3. Chick-fil-A Sandwich
Here's another tear-jerker. Chick-fil-A's iconic fried chicken sandwich can do a number on your health when consumed frequently. "This seemingly harmless sandwich has 440 calories, 19 grams of fat, and a whopping 1370 milligrams of sodium," Krutika Nanavati says. "The recommended daily sodium intake is 2300 milligrams." Eating all of that sodium on a regular basis can set you up for many complications. As Nanavati notes, "Consuming too much sodium can lead to hypertension and increase the risk of developing heart disease," among other risks.
4. Southwest Salad with Spicy Grilled Fillet
Think a salad sounds healthy? You may want to think again. "If this main course salad is served as listed on the menu–you are getting more than you bargained for," Michelle Rauch, MS, RDN told Eat This, Not That. The ingredients in this salad pack in 10 grams of saturated fat and 1,220 milligrams of sodium. Luckily, there are healthier salads on the Chick-fil-A menu to choose from.
5. Mac and Cheese
We love mac and cheese as much as the next person, but there's no denying that this cheese-loaded food is usually a poor choice for your health. "The Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese is one of the worst choices on the menu," Amanda Lane, MS, RD, CDCES, told ETNT. Although it's just a side dish, it can add a whopping 450 calories to your meal, along with 16 grams of saturated fat and 1,190 milligrams of sodium. Instead, Lane suggests going with a fruit cup as your side.
6. Peach Milkshake
Chick-fil-A sure knows how to make a tasty milkshake, and the Peach Milkshake is a fan favorite—but it's not going to be your body's favorite. "Chick-fil-A's Peach Milkshake is an unhealthy choice due to its high calorie, sugar, and fat content," Wan Na Chun, MPH, RD, CPT told ETNT. This creamy treat contains 13 grams of saturated fat and 98 grams of added sugar. That's nearly double the amount of sugar you should have in one day! As Chun warns, "Consuming excessive amounts of sugar can lead to health concerns such as weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease." While it's okay to treat yourself every now and then, you definitely shouldn't make a habit out of ordering this dessert.
7. Hash Brown Scramble Burrito with Nuggets
Next time you're craving a Chick-fil-A breakfast burrito, you may want to consider the health risks at hand. According to Dr. Su-Nui Escobar, DCN, RDN, FAND, "The amazing taste of the Hash Brown Scramble Burrito comes at a cost." If you get this burrito with the standard chicken nuggets inside, that adds up to a total of 700 calories and 1,770 milligrams of sodium. You're better off whipping up a healthier copycat recipe at home.
