Buzz
Most people don't choose McDonald's for its healthy offerings. Famous for its salty, greasy foods made on a griddle or fried, the brand is often seen as the epitome of indulgent fast food. However, burgers and fries aren't the worst offenders. If you take a closer look at the nutritional info, you might be shocked by which item holds the crown for being the least healthy on the menu.
As Insider reports, the highest-calorie item at McDonald's isn't the Double Quarter Pounder or even the Big Mac. In fact, it's not even part of the regular lunch or dinner menu. The Big Breakfast With Hotcakes takes the top spot, delivering 1150 calories from its hash brown, hotcakes, sausage, and biscuits, not counting the butter and syrup on the side. And the rest of the meal's nutritional values aren't much better. If you eat it all, you're looking at 35 grams of fat (with 25 grams from LDL cholesterol-boosting saturated fat) and 2090 milligrams of sodium—just shy of the CDC's daily recommended limit.
Another calorie-heavy area of the McDonald's menu is desserts. The second-highest caloric item is a 16-ounce McFlurry with M&M's, which packs 930 calories—more than twice the calories found in a McDouble. This sweet treat also contains 83 grams of sugar, the same amount you'd get from eating about seven McDonald's apple pies.
If you're keeping an eye on your calorie intake, you'll be pleased to know that many of McDonald's most popular items actually perform better in this department than you might think. For instance, a Big Mac contains only 550 calories, whereas the Burger King Whopper has 660 calories, and the cheeseburger from Five Guys tops out at 980 calories. Of course, there's nothing wrong with indulging in a filling breakfast or a delicious McFlurry, but checking the nutrition facts before you order can help you avoid any surprises when it's time to eat.
