Hungry Jacks' burger racked up the highest scores in energy when it came to its burgers, with its Double Angus Smokey BBQ burger a huge 5610kJ, or 65 per cent of the average male energy intake. In contrast McDonald's hamburger had the lowest energy intake of any beef burger with just 1060kJ.
Thai cuisine often tops the list of healthy takeaways. Unlike Chinese food, which is often high in sugar and salt, Thai cooking uses fresh herbs and spices to add flavour, while also maintaining a focus on fresh vegetables and good quality meat - meaning dishes are generally lower in calories and fat.
They tend to have amber traffic lights for salt and fat, which means we should eat them in moderation. Still, they count towards the two portions of fish we're all encouraged to eat each week, and are generally a healthier choice than some other convenience options like burgers or pizza.
Well, the subway is not very healthy for weight loss, but you can eat it as your cheat meal. Also, as subway serves everything as per your choice, you can, however, choose to make it healthy with fewer calories and fat or amongst their Fresh Fit Menu.
The result: McDonald's wins
While chicken is an obvious Men's Health staple, KFC's reliance on greasy oils and subsequent sky-high calorific content makes Maccy's an unlikely victor.
KFC was the most calorific the fast-food chain on the list, with an average of 987 calories per meal offered. Burger King, McDonald's and Subway were around 700kcal.
Most Nutritious Option
For the healthiest dish at KFC, opt for the grilled chicken wings, which deliver 70 calories per wing thanks to the cooking method.
The research found that the calories, saturated fat and salt included within the items differed slightly in different countries — with Australia being deemed one of the most 'calorific' McDonald's in the world.
The Good News. Takhistov and O'Donnell-Giles agree that, at around 18 grams per serving, the Filet-O-Fish is a very good source of protein. Most of that protein comes from the fish — Atlantic pollock, which O'Donnell-Giles says does have some heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Subway. Subway has established themselves as the go-to place for healthier fast food options. They have many lower calorie sub options available and their nutritional information is readily available. Customers can pile on as many veggies on their subs as they want.
Although it might be best to steer clear of certain fast-food restaurants, there are others that can really help you on whichever health journey you're taking. According to Amy Shapiro MS, RD, and member of our Medical Expert Board, the healthiest fast-food restaurant you can visit is Chipotle Mexican Grill.
The dishes of KFC are mostly deep-fried and are made using tons of oil. So, the regular consumption of KFC can make you gain weight. Therefore, continuous consumption of fast food, chicken, and meat that too with excess oil can lead to heart and fat-related issues.
Not to worry: There is such a thing as healthy fast food (or at least healthier). You can order a meal at most fast food chains with less than 500 calories, moderate amounts of fat and saturated fat, and ample protein and fiber. Here are 10 of the healthiest fast food meals from some of the top fast food chains.
Looking at the overall meal, the Subway meal in terms of protein and sugar was slightly healthier than McDonald's and provided more vegetables, however it was higher in sodium. Remember both meals contributed the same total number of calories but on top of that, it was a large amount of calories.
Across all the three chosen fast-food chains Burger King is the lowest for all four content averages (calories, fat, sugars, and salt). Chewsy found that out of the three selected fast-food chains, KFC exceeds (20.3 grams) the daily sugar intake of children between the ages of four and six (19 grams) by 6.8 per cent.
Culver's Crispy Chicken Sandwich Nutrition
The crispy chicken sandwich from Culver's contains only 460 calories, making it one of the lowest-calorie fast food chicken sandwiches available. With just 14g of fat, it's also the lowest-fat option you'll find.
The potatoes we use to make our famous chips generally come from Tassie and Victoria and the high-oleic canola oil we use for cooking them is also Australian-grown.
McDonald's offers several meals that can be included in many different diet patterns, including vegetarian, ketogenic, low calorie, or low sodium diets. However, keep in mind that most items available from this fast-food chain are still high in sodium, saturated fat, added sugar, or cholesterol.
Good sandwich choices include sliced deli or rotisserie chicken, turkey, ham, lean roast beef, canned salmon or tuna, nut butter, grilled tempeh or tofu, smashed cooked beans, and reduced-fat cheese. Unsure about serving size?
Chinese food is a favorite cuisine among many people around the world, including myself. However, most Chinese dishes have high amounts of fat, sugar, carbohydrates, and sodium, which are terrible for your heart and general health. Look closer at the menu to find some healthier options, or indulge on special occasions!
Subway markets its whole menu as healthy and more specifically a “healthy” alternative fast food. However, while it might be better than most fast food, nutritionally it can vary a lot depending on your choice of bread, fillings, toppings and sauces.