People order from fast food restaurants a lot, but very few have really taken the time to find out about the worst fast food items. You might be, at the very least, spending more money than the food is worth. Or worse, you might order something that can make you sick. Below are some of the most unhealthy items you can order at any fast food joint.
1. Supersized French Fries
The first reason why supersized french fries top the charts of worst fast food items to order is that they have zero nutritional value. At a particular globally existing fast food chain (we’re looking at you McDonald’s), the fries are not even that great, but for some reason, you find yourself addicted to them. It’s because they are full of oil and are exceedingly salty. You should try to avoid supersized fries and maybe it’s best to steer clear of them altogether. While eating fries is not the same as smoking cigarettes, experts pointed out issues with excessive consumption of fried food. Aside from the extra calories, there’s also the danger of carcinogens that form during the process of cooking.
2. Chicken Nuggets
The chicken nuggets you find at your favorite fast food store are probably not even real chicken (at least half of it). Some experts who conducted studies on chicken nuggets call them “fat nuggets.” They report that chicken nuggets are at least 50% chicken, and the rest consist of fat, connective tissues, blood vessels, and ground bone. This is why it is considered one of the worst fast food items to order.
3. Fish Fillet or Anything With Shrimp
In any burger joint that is considered fast and cheap, it isn’t advisable to order seafood. Fast food workers have warned customers about the lack of freshness in seafood menu items. You might wind up eating something that has been stashed in the freezer for months before it hits your plate. “…do not order anything that is advertised as seafood. There’s no way it’s fresh, and even if you’re aware of that, it has also been sitting around for a while,” one fast food worker stated. It’s better to opt for more popular items on the menu that are more likely to be fresh.
4. Macaroni and Cheese
Many people consider macaroni and cheese to be a comfort food. So, seeing it on your favorite fast food restaurant’s menu might be enticing. Unless it’s a restaurant that regularly serves pasta, you are probably getting something that was whipped up in the microwave. “The pasta, it’s all microwaved. This includes the mac and cheese,” says a fast-food worker who chimed in on a Reddit discussion. Most of the time, they aren’t using real cheese either. They’re using a powdered Kraft-style “mac and cheese.” Honestly, it’s best to skip this item and make your own at home.
5. Tuna Salad Sandwich
If tuna isn’t a popular dish where you’re eating, it’s probably not the best thing to order. More often than not, the tuna sits in the fridge premade for a while. One fast food worker said that they typically only made tuna salad once a week. So, if you went in on Friday for a tuna sandwich, it is possible that the tuna was prepared on Monday (yuck). Unless someone can verify that the tuna was freshly prepared, you should reconsider your order.
6. Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Many people opt for a grilled chicken sandwich because it seems like a healthy alternative to burgers and fried sandwiches. However, unless the restaurant specializes in grilled chicken sandwiches, it is possible that you are ordering something frozen, thawed, and reheated. “We didn’t sell many grilled chicken sandwiches. So it sits around a lot longer than other menu items and the texture is so rubbery,” one fast food worker claimed.
7. Chili con Carne
One particular fast food chain offers chili con carne, and for its price, it certainly looks like an easy fix for cravings. While it might hit the spot, it isn’t healthy. Usually, the chili has been frozen and it is packed full of preservatives. For example, fast food chilis are known to have silicon dioxide to prevent clumping. This additive is also found in ceramics, glass, and cement. Yes, you read that right. It’s a fancy name for sand.
8. Potato Wedges With Fake Cheese
The only thing real about potato wedges with cheese sauce toppings is the potatoes. Even then, they are battered and deep-fried. The cheese on top is a mystery because there is no dairy in the cheese powder’s list of ingredients. If you’re worried about this, do a bit of homework to find out if your favorite fast-food restaurants use real cheese or not.
9. Decaffeinated Coffee
One particular fast food (hint: it’s a burger royalty) offers decaffeinated coffee. This is not as unhealthy as it is just theft. According to one of their kitchen staff, they have no decaffeinated coffee. Decaf coffee from some restaurants is just watered-down regular coffee. Yes, this happens in real life. “…when I asked the waitress for decaf. I see her pour a cup half of regular coffee then adds hot water brings it over to me good to know,” one woman said on TikTok. For people like me who have caffeine sensitivity and problems with blood pressure, this is not only dishonest, but it can be dangerous.
How to Avoid the Worst Fast Food Items
Fast food is quick, there’s no challenging that. However, when it comes to your health, many of the menu items are doing more harm than good. Whether you are ingesting more oil or getting products that are packed with preservatives, these nine foods can pose serious health risks, especially if you’re eating them on a regular basis. If you must order fast food, you’d do best to avoid the items listed above.