Mmmm, fast food—the most guilt-laden of guilty pleasure indulgences. Where to begin? How about a Quarter-Pounder with cheese, topped with crisp bacon and a little mayo slathered on the bun? Or a juicy Whopper? Face it; sometimes, when you’re having a Fat Day (ladies, you know exactly what we’re talking about), nothing can satisfy your cravings quite like those mouthwatering McDee fries.
But would those same foods sound so yummy if you saw the number of calories the burger was packing displayed as prominently as the price? Yikes!!
Some county leaders like Health Commissioner Joshua Lipsman and Legislator Judy Myers are betting not. And they’re so sure of it, in fact, that they’re pushing to pass a law that would require all fast-food joints to display nutritional info right on their menus, in an effort to push customers (that would be you) to eat better—that is, eat less fat and more, well, good stuff (you know, tofu, apples, soybeans, and celery sticks—yum!).
And while the law would not affect delis, supermarkets, or privately owned or sit-down restaurants, it would require all fast-food establishments to display the calorie counts (currently, the only place you can find this information is on the chains’ Web sites).
But the law hasn’t even been drafted yet. So why wait? We collected some of your favorite fast food indulgences (oh, admit it, you’re not above it) and listed the basic nutritional info on each below. (Caution: Don’t say we didn’t warn you—we did say GUILTY, didn’t we?)
Note: According to the Food Police (aka the Department of Agriculture), fat and calorie intake requirements vary based on age, gender and activity level, but the average recommended quantities are 2,000 calories and 65 grams of fat per day.
McDonald’s
Click here for complete menu and nutritional facts
Quarter-Pounder with Cheese
Calories: 510
Total fat: 26g
Big Mac
Calories: 540
Total fat: 29g
Large French Fries
Calories: 570
Total fat: 30g
Burger King
Click here for complete nutritional facts
Whopper (with mayo)
Calories: 670
Total fat: 39g
BK Double Stacker
Calories: 610
Total fat: 39g
Tendercrisp Chicken Garden Salad
Calories: 410
Total fat: 22g
Wendy’s
Click here for complete menu and nutritional facts
Mandarin Chicken Salad
(with crispy noodles, roasted almonds and oriental sesame dressing)
Calories: 540
Total fat: 25g
Large Chilli
Calories: 330
Total fat: 9g
Baconator
Calories: 830
Total fat: 51
Dunkin’ Donuts
Click here for complete menu and nutritional facts
Everything Bagel
(with plain cream cheese)
Calories: 560
Total fat: 23g
Glazed Donut
Calories: 180
Total fat: 8g
Uno’s Chicago Grill
Click here for complete menu and nutritional facts
Pepperoni Flatbread Pizza
Calories: 900
Total fat: 48g
Chicken Spinoccoli Pasta
Calories: 670
Total fat: 32g
10 oz. Top Sirloin Steak
Calories: 520
Total fat: 18g
Now that you know, tell us: are you gonna forgo a Big Mac for an extra-lean turkey wrap without mayo, butter or ketchup? Let us know at comments@westchestermagazine.com.
