The CDC considers obesity a serious, common and costly chronic disease, with more than two in five U.S. adults having it. The dominance of unhealthy foods in America is a big offender.
WorldAtlas recently ranked the 10 worst fast-food chains, looking at their nutrition data, menu gimmicks and marketing tactics at major chains. A beloved favorite rounds out the list of the 10 that “routinely serve meals that can eclipse daily calorie limits in a single sitting while encouraging visits through bargain pricing and around-the-clock service.”
Here’s what Missouri fans of Chick-fil-A should keep in mind while ordering from the menu.
Is Chick-fil-A healthy?
Here’s what WorldAtlas said about the chain: “Chick-fil-A masks calorie-dense fried-chicken fare behind a wholesome image. An ‘original chicken sandwich’ with medium waffle fries delivers ~ 750 mg sodium, about one-third of a day’s limit, and 800 calories, while sugary lemonade and milkshakes push totals sky-high. The chain dialed back its ‘No Antibiotics Ever’ pledge in 2024, though its 2026 cage-free-egg goal remains. With 3,200-plus U.S. outlets and drive-throughs generating 60% of sales, Chick-fil-A encourages frequent, on-the-go indulgence nationwide.”
Chick-fil-A was recently ranked as one of the most unhealthy fast food chains in America. WorldAtlas says the staple sandwich is high in sodium and calories.
Are Chick-fil-A salads healthy?
Below is nutritional data for Chick-fil-A’s salads. These figures will change depending on the protein topping:
Market Salad: 550 calories, 31 grams of fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, no trans fats, 80 mg of cholesterol, 1,010 mg of sodium, 42 carbohydrates, 5 grams of fiber, 26 grams of sugar, 28 grams of protein
Spicy Southwest Salad: 680 calories, 49 grams of fat, 10 grams of saturated fat, no trans fats, 100 mg of cholesterol, 1,570 mg of sodium, 27 carbohydrates, 7 grams of fiber, 7 grams of sugar, 33 grams of protein
Cobb Salad: 830 calories, 60 grams of fat, 13 grams of saturated fat, no trans fats, 230 mg of cholesterol, 2,220 mg of sodium, 31 carbohydrates, 5 grams of fiber, 8 grams of sugar, 42 grams of protein
How many Chick-fil-A locations are in America?
Chick-fil-A currently has more than 3,000 restaurant locations in the U.S., according to its official website. This includes restaurants, drive-thru spots, airport kiosks, and more. Texas leads the country with 500 locations throughout the state, while Missouri has more than 50 Chick-fil-A locations.
What’s the most unhealthy fast food restaurant?
Here’s a look at the full list WorldAtlas provided:
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Chick-fil-A named one of the unhealthiest fast-food chains. Here’s why