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Fast Foods With More Than Half The Calories You Should Eat In a Day

Fast Foods With More Than Half The Calories You Should Eat In a Day

Most people who go to fast food restaurants are fully aware that they are going to eat fairly unhealthy food that is high in calories, fat, and salt. While few items on fast-food menus exceed the daily recommended intake of calories, a surprisingly large number contain more than half of the calories a person should consume in a day.

The estimated daily calorie need for sedentary men between 18 and 50 years old is between 2,200 and 2,400 calories; for women it is between 1,800 and 2,000, according to dietary guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture. Of course, these recommendations change by age, gender, and lifestyle.

24/7 Tempo reviewed the nutritional content of every fast-food menu item of over a dozen fast food chains to compile a list of 40 single items with at least 1,000 calories. Only food items intended for individuals were considered. Meals that contain more than one item were not included.

Some popular fast-food items such as burgers and desserts probably contain more calories than most people think. They are often consumed with a side order or a drink, both of which are often high in calories as well because of high fat and sugar content. As a result, just one meal can end up containing more than all the calories a person needs in a day. And no doubt, it won’t be the only meal one has in a day.

All of the major fast food chains have lower-calorie options, particularly in their chicken sandwiches and salad offerings. You can also trim caloric intake by avoiding certain toppings and cheese – here are the fast-food items with the fewest calories.

Source: Courtesy of McDonald's

Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Tenders (20 piece)
> Restaurant: McDonald’s
> Calories: 2,500
> Sodium: 6,950 mg
> Carbohydrates: 126 g

Source: Courtesy of McDonald's

Chicken McNuggets (50 piece)
> Restaurant: McDonald’s
> Calories: 2,210
> Sodium: 4,210 mg
> Carbohydrates: 132 g

Source: Courtesy of White Castle

Buffalo Chicken Rings – 20 Rings
> Restaurant: White Castle
> Calories: 1,790
> Sodium: 2,940 mg
> Carbohydrates: 47 g

Source: Courtesy of McDonald's

Chicken McNuggets (40 piece)
> Restaurant: McDonald’s
> Calories: 1,770
> Sodium: 3,370 mg
> Carbohydrates: 105 g

Source: Courtesy of Buffalo Wild Wings

Cheeseburger Slammers
> Restaurant: Buffalo Wild Wings
> Calories: 1,559
> Sodium: 1,451 mg
> Carbohydrates: 98 g

Source: Courtesy of Buffalo Wild Wings

The Sampler
> Restaurant: Buffalo Wild Wings
> Calories: 1,520
> Sodium: 3,120 mg
> Carbohydrates: 128 g

Source: Courtesy of Buffalo Wild Wings

Boneless Wings & Traditional Wings
> Restaurant: Buffalo Wild Wings
> Calories: 1,480
> Sodium: 7,940 mg
> Carbohydrates: 68 g

Source: Courtesy of Pizza Hut

Meat Lover’s®
> Restaurant: Pizza Hut
> Calories: 1,470
> Sodium: 3,670 mg
> Carbohydrates: 123 g

Source: Courtesy of White Castle

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks – 10 Sticks
> Restaurant: White Castle
> Calories: 1,470
> Sodium: 2,850 mg
> Carbohydrates: 73 g

Source: Courtesy of White Castle

Hash Round Nibblers – Sack
> Restaurant: White Castle
> Calories: 1,440
> Sodium: 1,830 mg
> Carbohydrates: 101 g

Source: Kesinee Khaikaew / Getty Images

Quesadilla: Steak
> Restaurant: Baja Fresh
> Calories: 1,430
> Sodium: 2,600 mg
> Carbohydrates: 84 g

Source: Courtesy of Burger King

Triple STACKER KING
> Restaurant: Burger King
> Calories: 1,370
> Sodium: 2,300 mg
> Carbohydrates: 51 g

Source: Courtesy of White Castle

Onion Chips – Select Regions – Sack
> Restaurant: White Castle
> Calories: 1,350
> Sodium: 1,950 mg
> Carbohydrates: 92 g

Source: Bryan C. via Yelp

Chocolate Shake – Cincinnati region – large
> Restaurant: White Castle
> Calories: 1,350
> Sodium: 730 mg
> Carbohydrates: 234 g

Source: Courtesy of Baja Fresh

Nacho Burrito: Steak
> Restaurant: Baja Fresh
> Calories: 1,347
> Sodium: 3,224 mg
> Carbohydrates: 145 g

Source: Courtesy of Baja Fresh

Chips and Guacamole
> Restaurant: Baja Fresh
> Calories: 1,340
> Sodium: 950 mg
> Carbohydrates: 141 g

Source: Courtesy of White Castle

Hash Round Nibblers (New Jersey) – Sack
> Restaurant: White Castle
> Calories: 1,330
> Sodium: 1,520 mg
> Carbohydrates: 92 g

Source: Courtesy of White Castle

Vanilla Shake – Cincinnati region -large
> Restaurant: White Castle
> Calories: 1,330
> Sodium: 730 mg
> Carbohydrates: 229 g

Source: Courtesy of Pizza Hut / Facebook

Pepperoni Lover’s®
> Restaurant: Pizza Hut
> Calories: 1,290
> Sodium: 3,160 mg
> Carbohydrates: 124 g

Source: Pizza Hut / Facebook

Triple Meat Italiano
> Restaurant: Pizza Hut
> Calories: 1,280
> Sodium: 3,070 mg
> Carbohydrates: 123 g

Source: Courtesy of Pizza Hut

Supreme
> Restaurant: Pizza Hut
> Calories: 1,270
> Sodium: 2,920 mg
> Carbohydrates: 125 g

Source: Courtesy of Pizza Hut

Dan’s Original
> Restaurant: Pizza Hut
> Calories: 1,270
> Sodium: 2,810 mg
> Carbohydrates: 124 g

Source: Kevin B. via Yelp

Nacho Burrito: Crispy Wahoo
> Restaurant: Baja Fresh
> Calories: 1,262
> Sodium: 2,910 mg
> Carbohydrates: 154 g

Source: Courtesy of Baja Fresh

Burrito Ultimo®: Crispy Wahoo** w/ Mix Tortillas
> Restaurant: Baja Fresh
> Calories: 1,260
> Sodium: 2,740 mg
> Carbohydrates: 162 g

Source: Courtesy of Baja Fresh

Quesadilla: Veggie
> Restaurant: Baja Fresh
> Calories: 1,260
> Sodium: 2,310 mg
> Carbohydrates: 96 g

Source: Courtesy of McDonald's

Buttermilk Crispy Tenders 10 pc
> Restaurant: McDonald’s
> Calories: 1,250
> Sodium: 3,480 mg
> Carbohydrates: 63 g

Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Tenders Pressure Fried (10 piece)
> Restaurant: McDonald’s
> Calories: 1,230
> Sodium: 3,540 mg
> Carbohydrates: 51 g

Source: Jason B. via Yelp

Tostada: Steak
> Restaurant: Baja Fresh
> Calories: 1,230
> Sodium: 2,380 mg
> Carbohydrates: 98 g

Source: Courtesy of Burger King

TRIPLE WHOPPER® Sandwich with Cheese
> Restaurant: Burger King
> Calories: 1,220
> Sodium: 1,470 mg
> Carbohydrates: 50 g

Source: Courtesy of Pizza Hut

Spicy Sicilian
> Restaurant: Pizza Hut
> Calories: 1,220
> Sodium: 3,150 mg
> Carbohydrates: 126 g

Source: Courtesy of Pizza Hut

Italian Sausage & Red Onion
> Restaurant: Pizza Hut
> Calories: 1,210
> Sodium: 2,550 mg
> Carbohydrates: 128 g

Source: Courtesy of Blimpies

Chicken Cheddar Bacon Ranch, Lg
> Restaurant: Blimpies
> Calories: 1,200
> Sodium: 3,240 mg
> Carbohydrates: 91 g

Source: Courtesy of Pizza Hut

Ultimate Cheese Lover’s
> Restaurant: Pizza Hut
> Calories: 1,200
> Sodium: 2,560 mg
> Carbohydrates: 121 g

Source: Courtesy of Blimpies

Philly Cheesesteak, Lg
> Restaurant: Blimpies
> Calories: 1,190
> Sodium: 2,860 mg
> Carbohydrates: 89 g

Source: Courtesy of White Castle

Chocolate Shake Nashville region – large
> Restaurant: White Castle
> Calories: 1,190
> Sodium: 500 mg
> Carbohydrates: 210 g

Source: Courtesy of Charnetta M. via Yelp

CHICKEN LIVERS* — 10 pieces
> Restaurant: Popeyes
> Calories: 1,190
> Sodium: 2,070 mg
> Carbohydrates: 65 g

Source: Evelyn H. via Yelp

Nacho Burrito: Grilled Wahoo
> Restaurant: Baja Fresh
> Calories: 1,189
> Sodium: 2,839 mg
> Carbohydrates: 146 g

Source: rickszczechowski / Getty Images

Popcorn, large
> Restaurant: Blimpies
> Calories: 1,070
> Sodium: 1,800 mg
> Carbohydrates: 113 g

Source: Courtesy of Burger King

Bacon Burger
> Restaurant: Burger King
> Calories: 1,110
> Sodium: 1,950 mg
> Carbohydrates: 48 g

Source: Daniel Oines / Flickr

Hawaiian Luau
> Restaurant: Pizza Hut
> Calories: 1,150
> Sodium: 2,670 mg
> Carbohydrates: 129 g

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