Ranking fast food chains from most to least average calories
- Updated
When you are grabbing a quick bite at a fast food joint, it's important to be conscious of what's packed into each meal.
- Tessa Boyce, HealthGrove.com
- Updated
Burgers, milkshakes, french fries, tacos and sandwiches. Today, we have a plethora of fast food options to choose from. While some people love the convenience, price and taste, others try and avoid fast food as much as possible. Still, most of us find ourselves in a Carl's Jr., Burger King or Chipotle from time to time, going over the menu and maybe trying to choose an item that will widen our midsection the least.
Of course, eating fast food often, no matter what your selection, is probably not the healthiest choice. Most fast food restaurants add more sugar, fat and cholesterol than you would ever consume at home. When you are grabbing a quick bite at a fast food joint, it's important to be conscious of what's packed into each meal.
Experts at HealthGrove, a health data site by Graphiq, analyzed the menus of 27 popular American fast food chains, and ranked chains by the average calories of their menu items. Pizza chains are not included, as well as restaurants that reported individual items as opposed to servings (KFC, Panda Express), as most items are not meant for individual consumption. Menu items such as "Beverages," "Drinks," "Sauces," "Condiments" etc. were removed as to keep a focus on meals and food menu items. HealthGrove also looked at the following nutrition qualities: calories, total fat, sugar and cholesterol, and reported the menu item that had the highest value for those categories.
Depending on the fast food chain you choose, you could significantly change the number of calories you are ingesting. For example, a Double-Double at In-N-Out is 670 calories, but a Monster Thickburger at Hardee's is nearly 1,300 calories. Snacking on chips and guacamole from Chipotle before devouring a burrito could have consequences, too — chips and guacamole are Chipolte's highest-calorie item. For dessert, many milkshakes have more than half the calories you need in a day, and up to five times the daily recommended amount of sugar.
*Note: These figures are from data available on 3/21/2017 and are subject to change.
Compiled by Tessa Boyce, HealthGrove.com
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 727.2
Highest calorie item: Chop House Cheddar Burger Meal (1,840 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Breakfast Platter with Sausage Meal (705mg)
Highest fat item: Chop House Cheddar Burger Meal (95g)
Highest sugar item: Strawberry Malt 32 oz (156g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 707.8
Highest calorie item: Buffalo Fingers 20 Piece (2,550 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Buffalo Wings 20 Piece (765mg)
Highest fat item: Buffalo Fingers 20 Piece (175g)
Highest sugar item: Chocolate Cookie Milkshake (110g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 687.1
Highest calorie item: North Atlantic Cod 3 Piece (2,156 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Vanilla Frozen Custard 1 Quart (608mg)
Highest fat item: North Atlantic Cod 3 Piece (139g)
Highest sugar item: Chocolate Frozen Custard 1 Quart (166g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 672.4
Highest calorie item: Peanut Butter Caramel Pie Malt Large (2,170 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Ultimate Meat & Cheese Breakfast Burrito (390mg)
Highest fat item: Peanut Butter Fudge Malt (123g)
Highest sugar item: Grape With Nerds Candy Ice Cream Slush (282g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 657.1
Highest calorie item: BBQ, Bacon & Cheddar Burger Big Smash (1,048 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Classic Cobb Salad with Crispy Chicken (347mg)
Highest fat item: BBQ, Bacon & Cheddar Burger Big Smash (70g)
Highest sugar item: Chocolate Oreo Malt (81g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 602.8
Highest calorie item: Thickburger El Diablo 1/2 lb (1,270 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Steak & Egg Burrito (390mg)
Highest fat item: Guacamole Bacon Thickburger 1/2 lb (89g)
Highest sugar item: Vanilla Malt (86g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 559.8
Highest calorie item: The J.J. Gargantuan on French Bread (1,134 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: The J.J. Gargantuan on French Bread (179mg)
Highest fat item: Gourmet Veggie Club on Wheat (60g)
Highest sugar item: N/A (Jimmy John's does not report sugar content)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 554
Highest calorie item: Cajun Style Fries (953 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Bacon Cheeseburger (180mg)
Highest fat item: Bacon Cheeseburger (62g)
Highest sugar item: Cheese Veggie (14g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 533.2
Highest calorie item: Chick-N-Tater Melt Munchie Meal (2,010 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Loaded Breakfast Sandwich (515mg)
Highest fat item: Chick-N-Tater Melt Munchie Meal (109g)
Highest sugar item: Chocolate Shake with Whipped Topping Large (128g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 516
Highest calorie item: Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Smash Blizzard (1,510 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Ultimate Hashbrown Platter Bacon (430mg)
Highest fat item: Banana Blizzard (230g)
Highest sugar item: Brownie Cookie Dough Blizzard Large (158g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 488.9
Highest calorie item: Honey Habanero 1 lb. (1,250 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Potato OlΓ©s Scrambler with Regular Sausage (375mg)
Highest fat item: Potato OlΓ©s Scrambler with Regular Sausage (79g)
Highest sugar item: Honey Habanero 1 lb. (51g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 477.5
Highest calorie item: 2/3 lb Monster Thickburger (1,290 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Low Carb Breakfast Bowl (630mg)
Highest fat item: 2/3 LB Monster Thickburger (92g)
Highest sugar item: Hand-Scooped Ice Cream Malt (76g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 468.1
Highest calorie item: Double-Double with Spread (670 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Double-Double with Spread (120mg)
Highest fat item: Double-Double with Spread (41g)
Highest sugar item: Strawberry Shake (67g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 460.4
Highest calorie item: Super Stacked Turkey and Bacon 12 inch (1,240 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Grilled Breakfast Sandwich with Sausage (385mg)
Highest fat item: Philly Steak & Onion 12 inch (70g)
Highest sugar item: Cotton Candy (56g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 460.1
Highest calorie item: Smokehouse Pork Belly Sandwich (860 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Chicken Fajita Flatbread Mild (210mg)
Highest fat item: Smokehouse Pork Belly Sandwich (61g)
Highest sugar item: Pumpkin Cheesecake Shake (96g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 422.3
Highest calorie item: Cinnabon Delights 12 Pack (930 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Cheesy Breakfast Burrito - Bacon (210mg)
Highest fat item: Cinnabon Delights 12 Pack (53g)
Highest sugar item: Cinnabon Delights 12 Pack (59g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 415.8
Highest calorie item: BK Ultimate Breakfast Platter (1,450 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: BK Ultimate Breakfast Platter (505mg)
Highest fat item: BK Ultimate Breakfast Platter (84g)
Highest sugar item: Red Velvet Oreo Shake (116g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 401.5
Highest calorie item: Chicken McNuggets 40 piece (1,880 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Big Breakfast with Hotcakes (575mg)
Highest fat item: Chicken McNuggets 40 piece (118g)
Highest sugar item: Shamrock Chocolate Chip FrappΓ© Large (137g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 397.8
Highest calorie item: Big Hot Pastrami Footlong (1,160 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: 6" Mega Melt (275mg)
Highest fat item: Big Hot Pastrami Footlong (62g)
Highest sugar item: Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki Footlong (36g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 396.2
Highest calorie item: Chips & Guacamole (720 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Chicken Burrito (115mg)
Highest fat item: Chips & Guacamole (40g)
Highest sugar item: Chips & Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa (8g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 371.5
Highest calorie item: Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake (910 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Sausage Platter (385mg)
Highest fat item: Sausage Platter (54g)
Highest sugar item: Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake (124g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 352.2
Highest calorie item: Chicken Livers (1,190 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Chicken Livers (765mg)
Highest fat item: Chicken Livers (80g)
Highest sugar item: Cole Slaw Large (45g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 348.2
Highest calorie item: St. Louis Style BBQ Ribs 1/2 rack (1,180 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Parmesan Tuscan Chicken, 1/2 chicken (355mg)
Highest fat item: St. Louis Style BBQ Ribs 1/2 rack (74g)
Highest sugar item: Carrot Cake (79g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 345.4
Highest calorie item: Dave's Triple Cheeseburger (1,060 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Mornin' Melt Panini with All-Natural Sausage (310mg)
Highest fat item: Dave's Triple Cheeseburger (67g)
Highest sugar item: Chocolate Frosty (42g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 340.9
Highest calorie item: Sausage, Egg and Cheese Sandwich on Croissant (700 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Big 'n Toasted (345mg)
Highest fat item: Sausage, Egg and Cheese Sandwich on Croissant (50g)
Highest sugar item: Muffin Coffee Cake (51g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 339.7
Highest calorie item: New England Clam Chowder Soup Bread Bowl (1,140 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Power Breakfast Bowl with Steak (405mg)
Highest fat item: Large Signature Mac & Cheese (61g)
Highest sugar item: Frozen Caramel (77g)
- Updated
Average calorie count of menu items: 238.5
Highest calorie item: Ciabatta Jack Chicken Sandwich (730 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Baked Cod (80mg)
Highest fat item: Ciabatta Jack Chicken Sandwich (44g)
Highest sugar item: Strawberry Iceflow Lemonade (62g)
- Tessa Boyce, HealthGrove.com
Burgers, milkshakes, french fries, tacos and sandwiches. Today, we have a plethora of fast food options to choose from. While some people love the convenience, price and taste, others try and avoid fast food as much as possible. Still, most of us find ourselves in a Carl's Jr., Burger King or Chipotle from time to time, going over the menu and maybe trying to choose an item that will widen our midsection the least.
Of course, eating fast food often, no matter what your selection, is probably not the healthiest choice. Most fast food restaurants add more sugar, fat and cholesterol than you would ever consume at home. When you are grabbing a quick bite at a fast food joint, it's important to be conscious of what's packed into each meal.
Experts at HealthGrove, a health data site by Graphiq, analyzed the menus of 27 popular American fast food chains, and ranked chains by the average calories of their menu items. Pizza chains are not included, as well as restaurants that reported individual items as opposed to servings (KFC, Panda Express), as most items are not meant for individual consumption. Menu items such as "Beverages," "Drinks," "Sauces," "Condiments" etc. were removed as to keep a focus on meals and food menu items. HealthGrove also looked at the following nutrition qualities: calories, total fat, sugar and cholesterol, and reported the menu item that had the highest value for those categories.
Depending on the fast food chain you choose, you could significantly change the number of calories you are ingesting. For example, a Double-Double at In-N-Out is 670 calories, but a Monster Thickburger at Hardee's is nearly 1,300 calories. Snacking on chips and guacamole from Chipotle before devouring a burrito could have consequences, too — chips and guacamole are Chipolte's highest-calorie item. For dessert, many milkshakes have more than half the calories you need in a day, and up to five times the daily recommended amount of sugar.
*Note: These figures are from data available on 3/21/2017 and are subject to change.
Compiled by Tessa Boyce, HealthGrove.com
Average calorie count of menu items: 727.2
Highest calorie item: Chop House Cheddar Burger Meal (1,840 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Breakfast Platter with Sausage Meal (705mg)
Highest fat item: Chop House Cheddar Burger Meal (95g)
Highest sugar item: Strawberry Malt 32 oz (156g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 707.8
Highest calorie item: Buffalo Fingers 20 Piece (2,550 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Buffalo Wings 20 Piece (765mg)
Highest fat item: Buffalo Fingers 20 Piece (175g)
Highest sugar item: Chocolate Cookie Milkshake (110g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 687.1
Highest calorie item: North Atlantic Cod 3 Piece (2,156 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Vanilla Frozen Custard 1 Quart (608mg)
Highest fat item: North Atlantic Cod 3 Piece (139g)
Highest sugar item: Chocolate Frozen Custard 1 Quart (166g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 672.4
Highest calorie item: Peanut Butter Caramel Pie Malt Large (2,170 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Ultimate Meat & Cheese Breakfast Burrito (390mg)
Highest fat item: Peanut Butter Fudge Malt (123g)
Highest sugar item: Grape With Nerds Candy Ice Cream Slush (282g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 657.1
Highest calorie item: BBQ, Bacon & Cheddar Burger Big Smash (1,048 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Classic Cobb Salad with Crispy Chicken (347mg)
Highest fat item: BBQ, Bacon & Cheddar Burger Big Smash (70g)
Highest sugar item: Chocolate Oreo Malt (81g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 602.8
Highest calorie item: Thickburger El Diablo 1/2 lb (1,270 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Steak & Egg Burrito (390mg)
Highest fat item: Guacamole Bacon Thickburger 1/2 lb (89g)
Highest sugar item: Vanilla Malt (86g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 559.8
Highest calorie item: The J.J. Gargantuan on French Bread (1,134 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: The J.J. Gargantuan on French Bread (179mg)
Highest fat item: Gourmet Veggie Club on Wheat (60g)
Highest sugar item: N/A (Jimmy John's does not report sugar content)
Average calorie count of menu items: 554
Highest calorie item: Cajun Style Fries (953 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Bacon Cheeseburger (180mg)
Highest fat item: Bacon Cheeseburger (62g)
Highest sugar item: Cheese Veggie (14g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 533.2
Highest calorie item: Chick-N-Tater Melt Munchie Meal (2,010 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Loaded Breakfast Sandwich (515mg)
Highest fat item: Chick-N-Tater Melt Munchie Meal (109g)
Highest sugar item: Chocolate Shake with Whipped Topping Large (128g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 516
Highest calorie item: Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Smash Blizzard (1,510 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Ultimate Hashbrown Platter Bacon (430mg)
Highest fat item: Banana Blizzard (230g)
Highest sugar item: Brownie Cookie Dough Blizzard Large (158g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 488.9
Highest calorie item: Honey Habanero 1 lb. (1,250 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Potato OlΓ©s Scrambler with Regular Sausage (375mg)
Highest fat item: Potato OlΓ©s Scrambler with Regular Sausage (79g)
Highest sugar item: Honey Habanero 1 lb. (51g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 477.5
Highest calorie item: 2/3 lb Monster Thickburger (1,290 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Low Carb Breakfast Bowl (630mg)
Highest fat item: 2/3 LB Monster Thickburger (92g)
Highest sugar item: Hand-Scooped Ice Cream Malt (76g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 468.1
Highest calorie item: Double-Double with Spread (670 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Double-Double with Spread (120mg)
Highest fat item: Double-Double with Spread (41g)
Highest sugar item: Strawberry Shake (67g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 460.4
Highest calorie item: Super Stacked Turkey and Bacon 12 inch (1,240 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Grilled Breakfast Sandwich with Sausage (385mg)
Highest fat item: Philly Steak & Onion 12 inch (70g)
Highest sugar item: Cotton Candy (56g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 460.1
Highest calorie item: Smokehouse Pork Belly Sandwich (860 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Chicken Fajita Flatbread Mild (210mg)
Highest fat item: Smokehouse Pork Belly Sandwich (61g)
Highest sugar item: Pumpkin Cheesecake Shake (96g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 422.3
Highest calorie item: Cinnabon Delights 12 Pack (930 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Cheesy Breakfast Burrito - Bacon (210mg)
Highest fat item: Cinnabon Delights 12 Pack (53g)
Highest sugar item: Cinnabon Delights 12 Pack (59g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 415.8
Highest calorie item: BK Ultimate Breakfast Platter (1,450 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: BK Ultimate Breakfast Platter (505mg)
Highest fat item: BK Ultimate Breakfast Platter (84g)
Highest sugar item: Red Velvet Oreo Shake (116g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 401.5
Highest calorie item: Chicken McNuggets 40 piece (1,880 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Big Breakfast with Hotcakes (575mg)
Highest fat item: Chicken McNuggets 40 piece (118g)
Highest sugar item: Shamrock Chocolate Chip FrappΓ© Large (137g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 397.8
Highest calorie item: Big Hot Pastrami Footlong (1,160 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: 6" Mega Melt (275mg)
Highest fat item: Big Hot Pastrami Footlong (62g)
Highest sugar item: Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki Footlong (36g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 371.5
Highest calorie item: Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake (910 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Sausage Platter (385mg)
Highest fat item: Sausage Platter (54g)
Highest sugar item: Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake (124g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 348.2
Highest calorie item: St. Louis Style BBQ Ribs 1/2 rack (1,180 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Parmesan Tuscan Chicken, 1/2 chicken (355mg)
Highest fat item: St. Louis Style BBQ Ribs 1/2 rack (74g)
Highest sugar item: Carrot Cake (79g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 345.4
Highest calorie item: Dave's Triple Cheeseburger (1,060 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Mornin' Melt Panini with All-Natural Sausage (310mg)
Highest fat item: Dave's Triple Cheeseburger (67g)
Highest sugar item: Chocolate Frosty (42g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 340.9
Highest calorie item: Sausage, Egg and Cheese Sandwich on Croissant (700 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Big 'n Toasted (345mg)
Highest fat item: Sausage, Egg and Cheese Sandwich on Croissant (50g)
Highest sugar item: Muffin Coffee Cake (51g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 339.7
Highest calorie item: New England Clam Chowder Soup Bread Bowl (1,140 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Power Breakfast Bowl with Steak (405mg)
Highest fat item: Large Signature Mac & Cheese (61g)
Highest sugar item: Frozen Caramel (77g)
Average calorie count of menu items: 238.5
Highest calorie item: Ciabatta Jack Chicken Sandwich (730 calories)
Highest cholesterol item: Baked Cod (80mg)
Highest fat item: Ciabatta Jack Chicken Sandwich (44g)
Highest sugar item: Strawberry Iceflow Lemonade (62g)
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