The Shocking Calorie Count of This Popular Fast Food Item

The United States is often thought of as a fast-food nation. The country has a reputation for being fast-food-obsessed. According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, as reported to the CDC, during a 3-year period, 36.6% of Americans ate fast food on a given day.

As of 2023, there are more than 200,000 fast-food establishments in the U.S. With Americans busier than ever, having options for quick and easy meals is key, which is why the industry has been so successful. Thanks to its affordability, accessibility, and convenience, people continue to opt to have it their way but don't always look at the nutrition facts. These health statistics are shocking.

When you look at a menu, have you ever wondered what the most unhealthy item is at Burger King? Many fast food chains around the U.S. are known for their easy-to-order food items and their no-so-great ingredients.

However, certain menu items pack more of a calorie punch than others and should be avoided if possible. While enjoying fast food on occasion is not bad, after all, everything in moderation is key, certain things should remain off the list.

Many of these menu items are often full of unhealthy fats, with high levels of sodium, significant carbohydrates, calories, and added sugars. Get to know which are the unhealthiest, and the healthiest menu items. This will help you streamline your order at fast-food chains.

In this slideshow, we’ll break down the worst offenders on the Burger King menu. Learn a bit more about this classic American food chain. And get a better idea of what menu items to avoid. We’ll talk about the nutritional profile of each of the unhealthiest items, as well as the recommended nutritional numbers to consider.

Founded in Miami, Florida in 1954, Burger King, known for the Whopper burger, became a national chain in the 1960s. In the modern day, Burger King has some 14,000 stores around the world. Second to McDonald's, it was acquired by the Pillsbury Dough Company in 1967. This is when its menu expanded and it was further franchised.

Modern-day Burger King menu includes numerous variations on the original Whopper. They serve hot dogs, breakfast sandwiches, sides, and sweets. They have a very handy nutritional counter on their website that lists calorie info.

Now that you know some of the history of this food chain, let's get into the most unhealthy items at Burger King. Let's break down the nutritional profile of some of the brand's biggest "calorie bombs."

Let's check out this particular Burger King breakfast sandwich. This sandwich has 852.9 calories, which increases to 882 if you order the croissant bun instead of a biscuit. It has 29.6 grams of fat, 2,526.1 milligrams of sodium, and 34.3 grams of carbohydrates. In this sandwich, you'll find 33.3 grams of protein and 3.6 grams of sugar. Probably not the best way to start your day.

Clocking in at 760 calories, the Spicy BK Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich has 47 grams of total fat, 58 grams of carbohydrates, and 34 grams of protein (via Nutritionix). As for sodium levels, this sandwich takes the cake with 1,580 milligrams of sodium per serving. Between the breading, the sauce, the bun, and the meat, this is one sandwich to avoid eating frequently.

Moving onto chicken sandwiches, let's take a look at the Bacon and Swiss BK Royal Crispy Chicken sandwich. This one has a lower calorie count than the burgers on this list but still has 820 calories per serving. It has 48 grams of total fat, 2,170 milligrams of sodium, 57 grams of carbohydrates, and 47 grams of protein.

Remember the recommended daily sodium intake? One Bacon and Swiss BK Royal Crispy Chicken sandwich pretty much covers it for both male and female adults.

The Texas Double Whopper Burger contains around 1,400 calories according to Carb Manager. It has 50 grams of carbohydrates, 56 grams of protein, and 1770 milligrams of sodium per serving. Originally only available in Texas, Burger King rolled out the sandwich nationwide in 2021 (via Fast Food Post).

Combined with Burger King's sides, and maybe a sweet treat, you're ordering a serious calorie bomb with the Texas Double Whopper Burger.

The Bacon King Burger has all kinds of fat and protein content. This burger features two Angus beef patties and strips of smoked bacon. It has 1,087 calories, only slightly fewer than the previous burger. In this option, you'll find 59.6 grams of protein and 48.7 grams of carbohydrates. It has 10.6 grams of sugar, 6,500 milligrams of sodium (way over the daily recommended intake), and a whole lot of fat content.

Next up, is the Triple Whopper Burger. With a similar three-patty makeup it clocks in at 1,108 calories. It has 47.5 grams of carbohydrates, 11.7 grams of sugar, and 76.2 grams of protein. This burger has 68.4 grams of fat, 24.4 grams of saturated fat, and 2.4 grams of trans fat. And it's important to note the 1,117 milligrams of sodium.

That is nearly half the recommended daily amount of 2,300 milligrams (via the FDA). So, you're getting a high dose of calories, and about half the recommended dose of daily sodium, from a single order of the Triple Whopper Burger.

Let us introduce you to the Triple Stacker XL Burger from Burger King. This singular burger contains a whopping 1,132 calories per serving size. It has 51 grams of carbohydrates and 9.7 grams of sugar. It has 69 grams of fat, 33 grams of saturated fat, and 78 grams of protein. So you're bound to get your protein fix from this burger.

Keep in mind that the recommended daily calorie total is 2,000 for females and 2,500 for males. One of these burgers will get you really close to that total, in just one meal, without sides, or anything particularly that good for you.

So, now that you know what not to order, especially if you're counting your calories, let's take a look at some healthier options. Web MD lists Burger King's "Original Chicken Sandwich," among the healthiest of their menu items. It has 660 calories, around 40 grams of fat, and is lower in saturated, and trans fats.

Healthline recommends small orders of Burger King's breakfast items, including their french toast sticks, hashbrowns, and their croissant, egg, and cheese sandwich. A simple, non-Whopper, hamburger only has 240 calories per serving, and their four-piece chicken nuggets only have 170 calories.

How you order, and what kinds of sauces, or sides you pair your order with, definitely impact the overall nutritional profile of your Burger King experience. There are absolutely ways to focus on the healthier menu items at a restaurant chain of this kind, starting with knowing which calorie bombs to avoid.

According to Women's Health Magazine, nutritionists recommend the veggie burger, the grilled chicken garden salad, and the grilled chicken sandwich. You can also opt for a side salad with your single-patty hamburger, or go for a small fry instead of a medium. It's all about knowing how to work the menu.

The next time you go to Burger King, you'll be well set up to order in a way that best fits your health goals. Whether it's ordering a high-calorie sandwich and planning healthier meals around that, or picking the lower-calorie option to start, you can definitely make the menu options at Burger King work for you.