5 Worst Drive-Thru Foods

1. WORST SIDE DISH
Taco John’s Potato Ole’s (Large)
770 calories
46 g fat (6 g saturated, 1 g trans)
2,200 mg sodium

Interspersed throughout the menu in various permutations, these glorified tater tots pack a serious one-two punch. The combination of saturated fat and sodium puts a heavy strain on your heart, and the 770 calories test the durability of your belt buckle. Not even the indulgent Meat and Potato Burrito touts numbers this abysmal. Instead, opt for a side of Refried Beans. Order it without cheese and you'll cut 60 calories, but you'll hold on to the amazing 11 grams of fiber and 15 grams of protein.

Eat This Instead!
Taco John’s Refried Beans (without cheese)
260 calories
1.5 g fat (0.5 trans)
940 mg sodium

2. WORST DESSERT
Dairy Queen Double Fudge Cookie Dough Blizzard (Large)
1,350 calories
58 g fat (28 g saturated, 1.5 g trans)
133 g sugars 

This dessert ought to be served with a life insurance application. The problem is, the rest of the Blizzards aren't much better—even the smalls tend to hover around 500 calories. Splitting one of those isn't so bad, but if you prefer to have your own treat, go for a sundae instead. The best approach is to pick the ice-cream flavor of the Blizzard you wanted, and then ask to have that topping added to your sundae. That way you get all the flavor, none of the belly.

Eat This Instead!
Dairy Queen Chocolate Sundae with Cookie Dough Topping (Small size)
360 calories
14 g fat (10.5 g saturated)
45 g sugars

3. WORST BURGER
Hardee’s 2/3 lb. Monster Thickburger
1,320 calories
95 g fat (36 g saturated)
3,020 mg sodium  

At one-third pound of beef, the original Thickburger offers plenty by way of gluttony, but compared to this thing it appears positively conservative. Mashed between beef and bun are 4 strips of bacon, 3 slices of cheese, and a big gob of mayonnaise. That's how it earns nearly twice the saturated fat you should consume in an entire day! Go with the Little Thick Cheeseburger to you'll eliminate 65 percent of the calories.  

Eat This Instead!
Hardee’s Little Thick Cheeseburger
450 calories
23 g fat (9 g saturated)
1,180 mg sodium 

4. WORST BREAKFAST
McDonald’s Big Breakfast with Large Biscuit, Hotcakes, and syrup
1,330 calories
60 g fat (20 g saturated)
2,280 mg sodium
49 g sugars

This is the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink breakfast made popular by diners such as Denny's and IHOP. Consider these stats: This meal has as much saturated fat as 2 Sausage McGriddles, more sodium than 6.5 large orders of french fries, more sugar than 3.5 Hot Apple Pies, and more calories than 3 Double Cheeseburgers. We're all for eggs at breakfast, but not when they come flanked with pancakes, sausage, hash browns, and an oversized buttermilk biscuit. Pair a Parfait with an Egg McMuffin for 22 grams of belly-filling protein in fewer than 500 calories. Now that's a great way to start the day.

Eat This Instead!
McDonald’s Egg McMuffin with Fruit 'n Yogurt Parfait
460 calories
14 g fat (6 g saturated)
905 mg sodium 
24 g sugars

 5. WORST SANDWICH
Quizno’s Large Tuna Melt
1,450 calories 
98 g fat (20 g saturated, 1 g trans)
1,910 mg sodium

Tuna ought to be a healthy source of lean protein, but Quizno's suffocates its with so much mayonnaise that the original fish has been relegated to a mere texturing agent amid a wet slurry of fat and calories. We've called Quizno's out for this sandwich before, and we'll keep at it until they decide trim back on the excesses. In the meantime, go with the Honey Bourbon Chicken Sub. For the regular-size sandwich, you could eat a dozen without hitting the fat load of the Large Tuna Melt. 

Eat This Instead!
Quizno’s Regular Honey Bourbon Chicken
520 calories
8 g fat (3 g saturated)
1,470 mg sodium

Posted in: Health