Let’s face it: fast food is delicious. Who could resist some salty fries and a greasy burger from time to time? And if you ask us, Wendy’s has some of the tastiest options around. However, there’s also no denying that fast food can do some serious damage to your body. If you’re trying to lose weight or just lead a healthier life overall, it can be difficult to compromise your cravings for Wendy’s with your health goals. Just like anything else, though, the key is to practice moderation and make healthy choices when you roll up to the drive through.
Luckily, there are definitely healthy fast food options out there. But in addition to knowing what you should order, it helps to know which meals are the absolute worst for you. One TikToker recently took to the platform to share a video about a few of the worst offenders on the Wendy’s menu. According to @caseyrosenberg, you should steer clear of the Breakfast Baconator and Potatoes, the Triple Bacon Jalapeno and Fries, and the Triple Pretzel Pub with Fries. Learn more about the risks of each below.
1. Breakfast Baconator and Potatoes
If you're in a rush in the morning, you may find yourself stopping for some fast food breakfast on the way to work. Wendy's has some seriously tasty breakfast options, including the Breakfast Baconator, which you can get with a side of potatoes. Unfortunately, though, this meal is much worse for your body than it is for your tastebuds.
As Rosenberg points out, it packs in 1,140 cal, 67g fat, and an astounding 2,900mg sodium. All of that sodium, in particular, can set you up for serious health complications when consumed on a regular basis.
You're better off preparing breakfast at home or sticking to some of the healthier fast food breakfasts out there.
2. Triple Bacon Jalapeno and Fries
Craving something spicy? Maybe you're a fan of the bacon jalapeno burger at Wendy's, which is topped with jalapenos, crispy fried onions, two slices of American cheese, Applewood spoked bacon, smoky jalapeno sauce, and cheddar cheese sauce. It certainly sounds delicious, but all of those toppings add up to a recipe for disaster in terms of your health—especially if you order a triple and a side of fries.
Rosenberg warns that this triple burger adds up to 1,810 calories, 118g fat, and 2,520g sodium. Yikes! Additionally, it's worth noting that red meat (especially of the fast food variety) comes with a fair share of health risks, namely when it comes to your heart. Try a grilled chicken sandwich instead.
3. Triple Pretzel Pub with Fries
Here's another triple burger you should avoid if you're trying to eat healthy. The Pretzel Pub is a beloved Wendy's sandwich, packing in Muenster cheese, Applewood smoked bacon, smoky honey mustard, beer cheese sauce, crispy fried onions, and pickles. On its own, this is already an unhealthy combo (bacon, in particular, can pose a risk to your heart health) but when you triple the beef and add fries, you've got yourself a seriously detrimental meal.
Rosenberg warns that a Triple Pretzel Pub with Fries contains 2,000 calories, 129g fat, and 2,280 sodium. That's the highest amount of fat on this list. It's important to remember that consuming too many trans fats can put you at risk of high cholesterol, weight gain, heart disease, and more.
The bottom line
Should you give up on treating yourself to fast food if you want to stay healthy? Not necessarily! Once in a blue moon, there's nothing wrong with giving into your cravings in moderation. However, if you want to lead the healthiest life possible, it's best to avoid these meals form Wendy's. At least stick to a single burger—or better yet, order a grilled chicken sandwich, which is touted as one of the healthiest items on the menu.
