Fast food items are a perfect way to treat sudden hunger pangs, have lip-smacking food, and give a treat to your taste buds. Consumed more for reasons such as affordability, taste, convenience in preparation, and the ability to be eaten anywhere without the need for cutlery – fast-food restaurants are now one of the biggest industries globally.
Some of them are very careful about the ingredients and provide quality fast-food meals, while others prioritize profit and do not focus on quality or healthier food items. We have compiled a list of 16 fast-food restaurants where you should avoid eating out!
Subway
Subway is a multinational fast-food franchise famous for its customized subs and wraps and is famous for providing healthier meals that have fresh vegetables compared to other fast-food restaurants. Still, Subway is criticized for adding excessive sodium, sugar, and unhealthy sauces to their food items regularly.
Starbucks
Starbucks is a popular coffee brand that offers a wide range of coffee drinks, sandwiches, and pastries. While tastier, Starbucks products contain an excessive amount of sugar—almost double the daily recommended allowance for adults.
Additionally, Starbucks is widely criticized for its environmental impact, as it uses single-use plastics and harmful coffee cultivation practices.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s restaurants are widely known for their delicious hamburgers, nuggets, and frosty desserts. Their famous large portion-size meals can be the reason for high-calorie intake and overeating. They use processed ingredients and boast of high sodium count, which can lead to hypertension.
In-N-Out-Burger
In-N-Out-Burger restaurant is famously known for its fresh, high-quality ingredients used in its burgers and other food items. Like other fast food joints, In-N-Out products contain unrestricted amounts of unhealthy fats, sodium, and calories. If you are on a diet or looking to become healthier, this isn’t the place for you!
White Castle
White Castle’s famous sliders and burgers are known for their deliciousness all over the world. The menu items do not provide sufficient nutritional value to their customers as they use highly processed ingredients, including processed meats and refined carbohydrates and most items are high in calories. If you consume White Castle’s food products regularly, you are in for an unhealthy surprise.
KFC
KFC is globally known for its unique fried chicken recipe. Their fried chicken is deeply fried in oil and contains an outlandish amount of unhealthy fats, calories, and sodium enough to make your heart fail. KFC is truly ‘Known For Calories’!
Taco Bell
Taco Bell’s nachos, tacos, burritos, and The Crunchwrap Supreme are widely liked food products all over the world. But it comes at a cost such as high calories and unhealthy fats. Some of its food items have high sodium, processed ingredients including artificial flavors and preservatives. While the restaurant provides some healthy food options; the majority of their food items lack proper nutritional value.
Five Guys
Five Guys’ menu items such as burgers, fries, and milkshakes contain high calories and fat content. They use two patties and a variety of toppings while making a burger which increases the overall calorie count. Most of its menu items are high in sodium which can lead to hypertension or anxiety. Also, the use of single-use plastics hurts the environment for which they are criticized continuously.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s has over 41.8 thousand restaurants all over the world and is famously known for its delicious burgers and happy meal hours. Just like other food restaurants, McDonald’s signature taste comes at an unhealthy cost. The menu is full of items that contain high sodium, added sugars, and processed ingredients, including preservatives, additives, and excessive artificial flavors.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen’s ice creams and milkshakes contain high sugar, calories, and fats. Consuming high-sugar products can easily cause a blood sugar rush and anxiety. They also use processed ingredients, including artificial color, flavor, and preservatives, causing weight gain, attention-related issues, and lowering overall immunity.
Arby’s
Arby’s is popularly known for its roast beef sandwiches which are slow-roasted, curly fries, salads, and wraps. They serve high calories, saturated fats, and sodium in many of their food items. Arby’s large portion sizes and regular promotions on extravagant items can make it hard to make healthier choices for people who love to eat fast foods.
Carl’s Jr.
Carl’s Jr. is known for its charbroiled burgers, hand-scooped milkshakes, and fries. Just like other restaurants, their menu items do not provide nutritional value for their consumers as they use artificial ingredients, and sodium in many of the food items.
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut offers a wide range of pizzas, sides, pasta dishes, and various drinks; however, many of their menu items, especially pizzas, contain high calories, saturated fats, and sodium. The food items generally lack any nutritional benefits. Pizza Hut has also been investigated for using poor-quality meat and cheese.
Domino’s Pizza
Similar to Pizza Hut, Domino’s Pizza is known for its wide selection of pizzas and sides. While they offer some healthier options like salads, many of their pizzas are loaded with calories, unhealthy fats, and sodium. Domino’s menu lacks nutritional benefits, may contain lower-quality produce, and uses unnecessary chemical flavoring.
Panda Express
Panda Express offers a variety of Chinese-inspired dishes, but many of their menu items are high in calories. Their fried rice and entrees can be particularly calorie-dense and should be enjoyed in moderation.
Jimmy John’s
Jimmy John’s offers a variety of sandwiches and subs, but many of their menu items use unrefined wheat and unhealthy cake flour. The average calorie count per meal could be 600 to 1000 calories, ready to give you a heartburn.
