It seems as though fast food restaurants have become a way of life for many of us. With the hectic schedules and fast-paced lives we lead, it can be hard to find time to squeeze in cooking and preparing healthy meals. Many of us rely on the fast food industry to feed us when we are running errands on our lunch breaks, or feed our hungry children after a long day, so how good or bad is this fast food for our health?
You may be alarmed to see the calorie content of some of the most popular fast food items that are available.
Regular Cheeseburger – 320 calories
Large Cheeseburger – 610 calories
Regular Hamburger – 275 calories
Large Hamburger – 520 calories
Fish, fried or battered – 210 calories
Chicken, fried, dark meat – 430 calories for two pieces
Chicken, fried, wing/breast – 495 calories for two pieces
Chicken Nuggets – 300 calories for 6 pieces
Onion Rings – 175 calories for 8 rings
Regular French Fries – 240 calories
Large French Fries – 360 calories
Hot Dog – 240 calories
Chili Dog – 325 calories
Dressing – Caesar – 160 calories for one packet
Regular Chocolate Shake – 360 calories
Regular Strawberry Shake – 360 calories
Hot Fudge Sundae – 290 calories
Pancakes, Butter and Syrup – 520 calories for three pancakes
Apple pie – 260 calories for one piece
Keep in mind, that this is only the calorie content for some of the most popular choices in fast food. This does not depict the fat grams and other nutrient content. It is also important to remember that people often have more than one item from this list, which can lead to a large amount of calories for one meal from a fast food restaurant. Eating fast food in moderation can be fine, just make sure to watch your calories and try not to make it mainstay in your diet.
