This story has been updated since it was originally posted on 11/12/23 to include another item
Your diet plays a crucial role in the health of your heart. In addition to the fact that adding antioxidant-rich foods to your meals can protect your heart from disease, you should also keep in mind that eating too many trans fats, saturated fats, high-cholesterol foods, and high-sodium foods could lead to a range of coronary issues, including a higher risk of heart disease. One of the biggest offenders when it comes to your heart health is fast food—but some meals are worse than others. While there are a few healthy choices you could order at the drive-thru, there are several options health experts recommend avoiding if you want to keep your heart in great shape.
To shed some light on some of the worst fast food meals out there for your heart, we spoke to nutritionist Lisa Richards, creator of The Candida Diet, and dietitians Trista Best and Jesse Feder. They told us that hot dogs, bacon cheeseburgers, and fried chicken can all be detrimental to your cardiovascular health. Find all of their expert insight regarding the risks of these foods below.
1. Hot dogs
Processed meat is among the biggest culprits when it comes to clogged arteries and a higher risk of heart disease. Unfortunately, although they're delicious, hot dogs are about as processed as it gets.
"Hot dogs are considered an unhealthy fast food because they are often highly processed and made from low-quality meat, including trimmings and by-products," Richards explains. "The processing involves additives, preservatives, and high levels of sodium, which can have negative health effects. The high sodium content contributes to increased blood pressure and cardiovascular risks." Yikes!
Then there's the fat content of this popular food. As she points out, "Hot dogs are typically high in unhealthy saturated and trans fats, which can contribute to weight gain, elevated cholesterol levels, and increased risk of heart disease."
But that's not all. She goes on to say that the cooking methods used on hot dogs, like grilling and frying, "can produce carcinogenic compounds like nitrosamines, further adding to the health concerns." It's always important to consider how your food is prepared, as this can play a major role in its nutrition.
All in all, Richards warns, "Consuming hot dogs has been associated with an increased risk of certain cancers. Choosing healthier alternatives like lean cuts of meat or plant-based options is recommended for those seeking a more nutritious fast food choice." Got it!
2. Bacon cheeseburgers
Who doesn't love bacon—especially when it's paired with some tasty beef and melted cheese? We're sad to say, though, that while a bacon cheeseburger might make your taste buds jump for joy, Best warns that "bacon cheeseburgers are a poor choice for heart health due to their high content of saturated and trans fats."
It's not just the bacon that's the issue, although it's well-known that bacon is one of the worst meats for your heart (and your overall health). The cheese on this sandwich can also play a role in raising your risk of disease. "The bacon and cheese contribute to a significant saturated fat load, which can elevate LDL cholesterol, a risk factor for heart disease," Best explains. "High sodium levels in bacon and processed cheese can lead to hypertension, another heart disease risk." And, like hot dogs, the cooking process "often involves unhealthy fats, further increasing the saturated fat content."
Ultimately, Best notes that "these burgers exemplify the typical drawbacks of fast food—excessive unhealthy fats, sodium, and calories – which can collectively increase the risk of heart-related issues when consumed frequently."
3. Fried Chicken or Chicken Fingers
If beef isn't your thing, you may frequently opt for chicken instead (perhaps congratulating yourself for avoiding unhealthy red meat). However, the unfortunate truth is that if you're going with a fried variety, you could be putting your heart health on the line. Whether it's tasty chicken fingers or your favorite sandwich from Chick-fil-A, it's best to avoid fried chicken if you want to keep your cardiovascular system in great shape.
"Chicken fingers or fried chicken contains very high amounts of inflammatory saturated fats, calories, and sodium," Feder warns. "The high amount of saturated fats can lead to increases in LDL or bad cholesterol levels which can then turn into clogged arteries." As he notes, these unbalanced cholesterol levels and clogged arteries can be very damaging to your heart and even lead to a heart attack or heart disease.
The sheer amount of sodium is enough to cause alarm on its own. Feder points out that eating an excessive amount of sodium can lead to a range of health issues. Too much sodium, he says, "can cause increases in blood pressure which is also damaging to the heart."
The calorie content is another issue: "The high amount of calories can cause unwanted weight gain which can put unnecessary strain on the heart as well." Guess we'll go with grilled chicken, instead!
The bottom line
Sometimes, stopping at the drive-thru is inevitable. However, when you find yourself ordering at a fast food restaurant, knowing what to avoid is an important part of keeping your body as healthy as possible. And if your heart health is a big priority, following the advice of Richards, Best, and Feder by avoiding hot dogs, bacon cheeseburgers, and fried chicken is one small way to stay in line with your goals and keep your body in great shape.
