America is known for its fast food, oversized portions, and sugary drinks, loaded with grease, salt, sugar, and calories. While it may taste delicious and provide quick satisfaction, the long-term effects on people’s health can be serious. From rising obesity rates to heart disease and diabetes, the popularity of unhealthy foods continues to impact millions of Americans every day.
10. Dairy Queen Royal Reese’s Brownie Blizzard: Dairy Queen is known for their super delicious blizzards and ice cream. Obviously, their ice cream is high in calories, carbs and fats. A large Royal Reese’s Brownie Blizzard Treat checks in at a whopping 1,510 calories, 189 grams of carbs and 72 grams of fat. Its 1.5 grams of trans fats are a combination of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and the naturally occurring trans fats found in dairy. If you are thinking about getting this, just get a size small.
9. Dunkin’ Donuts Glazed Jelly Stick: Although most donuts are deep-fried sugary treats, some may be much more harmful to your health than others. One of the worst is the Dunkin’ Donuts Glazed Jelly Stick, which contains 480 calories, 59 grams of carbs and 25 grams of fat. The first three ingredients listed are refined wheat flour, sugar and soybean oil, meaning these are present in the largest quantities. Frequent consumption of refined grains has been linked to some of the same health problems as fructose, including inflammation, insulin resistance and obesity. This donut also contains trans fats, corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup. When choosing a donut at Dunkin’, I wouldn’t choose this one.
8. Corn dogs: Corn dogs are a State Fair favorite across the US. They’re made by dipping a frankfurter in cornbread batter and then deep-frying it until golden brown. The calorie values of corn dogs aren’t as concerning as many other junk foods. One corn dog contains 330 calories, 34 grams of carbs and 10 grams of protein. Corn dogs are another food that’s deep-fried in processed vegetable oil. However, corn dogs contain processed meat, which several studies have linked to an increased risk of colon cancer and heart disease. This super popular fair-food might be one to avoid.
7. Burger King Oreo Shake: Milkshakes have been popular in fast food for a long time. Now, these shakes are sweeter and larger than ever before. This oreo milkshake weighs in at 730 calories, which is more than most hamburgers. In addition, it contains 121 grams of carbs, 100 from sugar alone. At least half of this sugar is fructose, which has been shown to contribute to heart disease, insulin resistance, obesity and other health problems. Even though these are super yummy, I would choose a healthier option.
6. Outback Steakhouse Bloomin’ Onion: This super yummy appetizer is very popular and usually shared with two or more people. Although considered an appetizer, it is actually one of the highest-calorie items on the entire menu. One Bloomin’ Onion consists of 1,954 calories and 122 grams of carbs. It also contains 154 grams of fat, including more than 7 grams of trans fat, the type you should seek to avoid completely. Even consuming one quarter of this deep-fried dish will still add trans fat and a lot of empty calories to your meal.
5. Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino: Coffee is a calorie-free beverage that provides a number of impressive health benefits. This is true for hot coffee drinks like mochas and lattes, as well as for frozen blended coffee beverages. A “grande” (medium) serving of these drinks typically contains 250 calories or more. The White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino contains 520 calories and 65 grams of carbs, 64 of which come from sugar, for just a grande. Research has shown that drinking liquid calories doesn’t trigger the same fullness signals as calories from solid food. Therefore, when you drink something sweet, you’re unlikely to compensate by eating less of other foods later.
4. Cinnabon Caramel Pecanbon: Cinnabon is known for the enticing aroma and gooey sweetness of their signature cinnamon rolls. A classic Cinnabon cinnamon roll contains about 880 calories each. It is so sad how this isn’t even their most unhealthy item. The Caramel Pecanbon contains a whopping 1,080 calories, 51 grams of fat and 146 grams of carbs, only 3 of which are fiber. What’s more, 75 of those 146 grams of carbs come from added sugars. This is over twice the amount of added sugars the American Heart Association recommends as the upper limit for the entire day. You should not consume this.
3. Popeyes Mild Handcrafted Chicken Tenders: Popeyes is a fast food chain that specializes in fried chicken. They have added these mild handcrafted chicken tenders to their menu recently, and it is one of the most unhealthy items you can get there. A three-piece serving of Mild Handcrafted Chicken Tenders contains 340 calories and 26 grams of carbs. Although the calories in one serving of tenders seem like a modest number compared to other fast food entrees, this number can increase dramatically after adding dipping sauce, a side and a soda. They have trans fats in it which can lead to inflammation, heart disease and obesity.
2. Arby’s Curly Fries: French fries are one of the most popular fast food items in the world. Though they are so popular, these deep-fried potatoes are so unhealthy. After researching about these foods, I found on healthline.com, “Studies have linked deep-fried foods to inflammation, heart disease and impaired artery function, among other health problems.” A large order of Arby’s curly fries include: 650 calories, 35 grams of fat and 77 grams of carbs, only 7 of which are fiber. Even though these fries are delicious I would stay away.
1. Pop Tarts: These super popular pastries that have a sweet filling and frosted top. People often reach for these as a quick breakfast or snack. Pop Tarts contain highly processed ingredients, including soybean oil and refined flour. They also contain three different types of sugar which are: refined white sugar, corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup. Two Frosted Strawberry Pop Tarts contain 400 calories, 76 grams of carbs, less than 2 grams of fiber and a mere 4 grams of protein. This high-sugar, low-protein junk food is a terrible choice to start off your day.
