Devastated Customers Just Discovered Nearly An Entire Day's Worth Of Sodium Hidden Inside Their Favorite Fast Food Items
Devastated Customers Just Discovered Nearly An Entire Day's Worth Of Sodium Hidden Inside Their Favorite Fast Food Items
The Salt is Real—And Nearly Every Chain is Guilty
It’s no surprise that fast food and sodium go hand in hand, but the actual numbers are a lot worse than we all thought. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day for most adults, but a single fast-food meal can blow past that limit before you've even finished your drink. With that, we’ve rounded up some of the biggest culprits so you know which ones to avoid.
1. Subway's Spicy Italian Footlong
Oh, a sandwich. Surely, it can’t be that bad. Well, guess again! A 12-inch Spicy Italian sub from Subway packs roughly 2,980 milligrams of sodium, which is nearly the entire recommended daily intake in one little wrapper. The combination of pepperoni and salami is mainly to blame, but stacking on olives or pickles only drives that number higher.
Daniel from Glasgow, United Kingdom on Wikimedia
2. McDonald's Big Breakfast with Hotcakes
When the words “McDonald's” and “Big Breakfast” appear in the same title, you know you’re headed for a problem. This morning feast delivers around 2,150 milligrams of sodium in a single tray. Between the scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuit, and hotcakes, every component contributes to one of the saltiest breakfast offerings at any major chain.
3. Wendy's Dave's Triple
Wendy's Dave's Triple tops out at around 1,810 milligrams of sodium, which is no small feat for a burger. It makes sense the closer you look: three beef patties, American cheese, and a generous spread of condiments. It's a crowd favorite, but you're essentially eating close to a full day's worth of salt in one sitting.
Lenin and McCarthy on Wikimedia
4. KFC's Pot Pie
Hey, we all like the colonel, and we all like pot pie, but this classic comfort food comes with a significant sodium cost, clocking in at approximately 1,970 milligrams per serving. The combination of seasoned gravy, tender chicken, and a buttery crust creates a perfect storm of salt in every bite.
5. Taco Bell's Nachos BellGrande
Taco Bell's Nachos BellGrande might look like a snack, but not when it packs around 1,120 milligrams of sodium. You only have the seasoned beef, nacho cheese sauce, and sour cream to blame, and that's before you've torn open a single hot sauce packet.
6. Chick-fil-A's Spicy Deluxe Sandwich
Chick-fil-A's Spicy Deluxe Sandwich is a fan favorite, and far be it from us to claim we aren’t in that group. However, this beloved item also contains around 1,760 milligrams of sodium per serving. The spicy seasoning on the chicken fillet is a major contributor, and the pickles only add another salty layer to the mix. Pair it with waffle fries and a dipping sauce, and your daily sodium total climbs fast.
7. Popeyes' Classic Chicken Sandwich
We wish all chicken sandwiches could be healthy, but Popeyes' Classic Chicken Sandwich did us dirty. This option carries a hefty 1,443 milligrams of sodium, mainly due to the brioche bun, mayo, and heavily seasoned chicken fillet. With just one sandwich, you’re consuming more than half of your recommended daily sodium.
8. Burger King's Triple Whopper with Cheese
The King’s Triple Whopper with Cheese carries roughly 1,430 milligrams of sodium, driven largely by three beef patties and a generous helping of processed American cheese. The condiments don’t help either; ketchup, mayo, and pickles each bring their own sodium contribution.
9. Jack in the Box's Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger
An ultimate cheeseburger sounds like a good deal, and though it picked up a cult following, this one’s still loaded with about 1,630 milligrams of sodium in a single serving. Two beef patties, two kinds of cheese, and all that bacon pack a serious wallop before you've even reached the signature sauce.
RightCowLeftCoast on Wikimedia
10. Panda Express's Kung Pao Chicken Plate
When you factor in all the soy-based sauces, Panda Express’s Kung Pao Chicken plate can easily exceed 2,000 milligrams. With fried rice and chow mein as your main sides, it makes sense when you stack the numbers; the chow mein alone contributes several hundred milligrams before the entrée even makes it onto your tray.
11. Arby's French Dip & Swiss
This sandwich is a salty standout, coming in at roughly 1,630 milligrams of sodium per serving. Though we all love sliced roast beef, cured meat is hardly good for the heart, especially when you pair it with Swiss cheese and the au jus dipping sauce layers. It's essentially a triple threat.
Kenneth C. Zirkel on Wikimedia
12. Hardee's Monster Thickburger
With a name like that, what did we think would happen? Hardee's Monster Thickburger is just as much a sodium punch as it is a calorie one, with approximately 1,490 milligrams per sandwich. Why? Because of two thick beef patties, four strips of bacon, and three slices of American cheese.
13. Panera Bread's Mac and Cheese
Panera Bread has a reputation for being a healthier spot, but not every plate is good for you. The Mac and Cheese has about 1,330 milligrams of sodium per serving, thanks to the rich, creamy cheese sauce. It’s worth reconsidering which comfort dish is really worth it!
14. Sonic's Footlong Chili Cheese Coney
Sonic's Footlong Chili Cheese Coney is a drive-in classic with sodium levels to match its size, coming in at approximately 1,380 milligrams. The hot dog itself, the chili, and the processed cheese sauce are each notable sources on their own, and together form quite a combo. Add mustard or ketchup, and you're only adding to an already substantial total.
15. Five Guys' Bacon Cheeseburger
We all know how dangerous these delicious dishes are; it’s entirely possible to build a burger that tops 2,000 milligrams without realizing it, especially since Five Guys prides itself on customization. However, the standard Bacon Cheeseburger delivers around 1,310 milligrams of sodium before you add anything—every extra only makes it worse.
Ser Amantio di Nicolao on Wikimedia
16. Dairy Queen's FlameThrower GrillBurger
DQ’s FlameThrower GrillBurger brings both heat and sodium, weighing in at around 1,290 milligrams per burger. From the FlameThrower sauce and pepper jack cheese right down to the bacon, you’re consuming all the primary factors behind those scary numbers.
17. Sonic's Super Sonic Bacon Double Cheeseburger
Sonic's Super Sonic Bacon Double Cheeseburger delivers a striking 1,880 milligrams of sodium before you've even considered tots or dipping sauce. Two beef patties, bacon, cheese, and sauce all form a sodium-heavy dish that's hard to justify, even on a cheat day.
18. Chipotle's Barbacoa Burrito
No one’s going to Chipotle for an empty burrito…but you might want to cool it on the toppings! A fully loaded Chipotle Barbacoa Burrito, built with rice, beans, cheese, sour cream, and salsa, can reach upwards of 2,300 milligrams of sodium. The barbacoa is already one of the chain's saltiest protein options, and the flour tortilla adds a surprising amount before you've chosen anything to add.
19. Braum's Triple Quarter Lb. Cheeseburger
Braum's Triple Quarter Lb. Cheeseburger is a regional staple, particularly in Oklahoma, Texas, and surrounding states—that doesn’t mean it’s healthy! It packs approximately 2,020 milligrams of sodium per sandwich, all thanks to three beef patties layered with cheese and condiments.
20. Burger King's Texas Double Whopper
Speaking of Texas, BK’s Texas Double Whopper is one of the chain's most intense options, clocking in at around 2,185 milligrams per sandwich. You’re looking at two quarter-pound flame-grilled patties topped with bacon, jalapeños, American cheese, and a full spread of condiments…so, it’s not the best for your ticker.
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