It may be February, but it still feels like the New Year to us—which means we’re still making efforts to stick to our resolutions and turn our health around. If you have big wellness goals for 2025, too—whether that’s weight loss, a healthier heart, or just all-around improved wellbeing—it’s important to stick to a balanced diet. And it probably goes without saying that this usually doesn’t include fast food. However, we know that sometimes a stop at the drive-thru is inevitable. In these cases, knowing what to avoid is crucial.
Below, we’re rounding up a few of the worst fast food dishes for your health. Whether you’re ordering from McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, or more, read on to lean which items to skip on your next late-night food run.
1. McDonald's Big Mac
The Big Mac is perhaps the most iconic item on the McDonald's menu. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most unhealthy. Clocking in at 590 calories, 11g of saturated fat, and a whopping 1,050mg of sodium, you're better off steering clear of this burger.
"The Big Mac itself is a calorie-dense option with two beef patties, special sauce, cheese, and high levels of unhealthy saturated fats and sodium," Lisa Richards, creator of The Candida Diet warns. And if you get a meal with a soda and fries, you're setting yourself up for an even bigger effect on your health, especially when it comes to your heart. "This combination of high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sodium items promotes an unbalanced diet that is not conducive to maintaining a healthy weight or supporting cardiovascular well-being," Richards concludes.
2. Wendy's Baconator
This famed bacon cheeseburger is frequently lauded by customers as simply mouthwatering. Yet, it's clear that the Baconator isn't a wise choice for your health. This burger boasts two beef patties smothered in cheese and loaded with an abundance of bacon. The bacon itself is a significant source of sodium, and that's just one of the health concerns associated with this processed meat. All in all, the Baconator packs 1540mg of sodium, 960 calories, and 66g of fat. Opt for a healthier alternative, particularly if you're mindful of your heart's well-being.
As Dr. Yoram Harth, MD, board-certified dermatologist and Medical Director of MDhair, tells us: "Try to reduce the amount of meat and fried food in your diet." He notes that "eating high amounts of red meat and fried food is shown to increase inflammation." Red meats have also been shown to worsen the risk of heart disease by raising your cholesterol and clogging your arteries.
3. Taco Bell Cinnabon Delights
Craving dessert? You might want to to go with something healthier than these sugar bombs. Not only are these sweet treats a whopping 1010 calories, but they also come with 68g of fat, 430mg of sodium, and 88g of carbs. The sugar content is no joke either, and it shouldn't be a surprise to hear that eating too much sugar can set you up for some serious health risks.
"The Cinnabon Delights are deep-fried dough balls filled with cinnamon and cream cheese frosting. They are high in calories, with approximately 50 grams of sugar per 12-pack. They are also high in saturated fat, which is a risk factor for many chronic diseases," Wan Na Chun, RD, CPT of One Pot Wellness told Eat This. Yikes!
4. Chick-fil-A 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, she tells us that this can add 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.
5. McDonald's Breakfast with Hot Cakes
If you prefer sweeter breakfasts, hot cakes may be your meal of choice. Unfortunately, though, these are another health risk waiting to happen. The Hot Cakes meal at McDonald's contains 1,340 calories, 63g fat, and 2,070mg sodium. Say it ain't so! That's nearly double the fat content of a Big Mac.
"Eating this regularly can be detrimental to your health," Katie Tomaschko, a registered dietitian and nutritionist warns. "At 1,340 calories per meal, this singular meal has a little over half of your recommended daily calories," which could "lead to weight gain, obesity, and even morbid obesity." We'll take some fiber-rich fruit, instead.
6. Wendy's Dave's Triple
While the Dave's Triple cheeseburger is undoubtedly a staple at Wendy's, it's worth passing on if maintaining optimal health is a priority. This hefty meal, with its three patties, abundant cheese, and various toppings, clocks in at a staggering 1,160 calories, 82 grams of fat, and 1,610 milligrams of sodium. Consistently consuming such high levels of sodium can pave the way for numerous health issues, such as heart disease. Opting for a single burger might be a wiser choice.
7. Taco Bell Beef Crunchwrap Supreme
Despite how delicious it is, this classic, beloved Taco Bell item is an all-around poor choice for your health. This is largely due to the high amount of sodium it packs in.
"I would stay away from the Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme. One wrap contains 540 calories, 7 grams of saturated fat, and 1,210 mg of sodium, which is over half of the recommended maximum daily intake of sodium. For a healthier option, choose a soft taco topped with shredded lettuce, tomato, onions, and salsa," Mandy Tyler, M.Ed., RD, CSSD, LD says.
8. Chick-fil-A 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 Eat This, Not That.
9. McDonald's Sausage, Egg, & Cheese McGriddle
Craving something greasy for breakfast? We feel you—but ordering a McGriddle may not be the best idea for your body. The Sausage Egg & Cheese McGriddle, for example, contains 550 calories, 33g fat, and 1290mg sodium. Yikes! That already puts you at over half the recommended daily intake of sodium for adults (2,300mg). Consuming too much salt can result in serious health risks, including heart attack, high blood pressure, and more.
Ground sausage, in particular, is one type of meat experts recommend avoiding. "Ground sausage is often considered an artery-clogging meat due to its high content of saturated fat and cholesterol," Richards warns. "Sausage is often processed with additives, preservatives, and high levels of sodium, which can exacerbate these health concerns by contributing to hypertension and water retention." You're better off sticking to lean proteins for breakfast!
10. Wendy's Chili Cheese Fries
Trust us, we enjoy fries just as much as anyone else, and adding cheese makes them even more irresistible. Top them with chili, and you have a delicious side dish to accompany your burger. Sadly, it is also quite unhealthy. With 520 calories, 27 grams of fat, and 1,330 milligrams of sodium, this dish could stand alone as a meal, albeit not a nutritious one. When paired with another menu item, you could easily exceed your recommended daily intake of calories and sodium.
11. Taco Bell Beef NachoBell Grande
Nachos are an undeniably delicious, simple meal when you're craving something crunchy and cheesy. However, next time you roll up to the Taco Bell drive-thru aiming to order something that's at least slightly healthy, experts recommend avoiding the Beef NachoBell Grande.
"Beware of the Nacho Bell Grande… This menu item contains a whopping 38 grams of fat and a staggering 1,130 grams of sodium per serving. A great way to make healthier choices at Taco Bell is to use their online nutrition calculator. By entering the menu items of your order, this calculator will show you exactly how much fat and sodium is in your meal, along with other important nutrition facts," Dr. Su-Nui Escobar, DCN, RDN, FAND tells Eat This, Not That. Noted!
