7 of the Most Unhealthy Items at Burger King – Calorie Bombs to Avoid

Have you ever wondered about the most unhealthy items at Burger King? Many fast food chains around the U.S. are known for their easy-to-order food items and their no-so-great ingredients. However, certain menu items should be considered “calorie bombs.” These are very much worth avoiding. While enjoying some fast food is not a bad thing, this kind of food should be enjoyed in moderation. It is often full of unhealthy fats, high levels of sodium, lots of carbohydrates, calories, and added sugars. Get to know which are the unhealthiest, and the healthiest menu items. This will help you streamline your order at fast-food chains. Read on to learn the ins, and outs of the most unhealthy items at Burger King.

In this post, we’ll break down the worst offenders on the Burger King menu. Learn a bit more about this classic American food chain. And get a better idea of what menu items to avoid. We’ll talk about the nutritional profile of each of the unhealthiest items, as well as the recommended nutritional numbers to consider. By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly how to navigate the Burger King menu. If you’re going to enjoy some fast food, at least try the healthier options!

The History of Burger King

Burger King was founded in 1954 and started in Miami, Florida. Known for the Whopper burger, Burger King became a national chain in the 1960s. In the modern day, Burger King has some 14,000 stores around the world. Second to McDonald's, it was acquired by the Pillsbury Dough Company in 1967. This is when its menu expanded and it was further franchised (via Brittanica). Modern-day Burger King menu includes numerous variations on the original Whopper. They serve hot dogs, breakfast sandwiches, sides, and sweets. They have a very handy nutritional counter on their website that lists calorie info.

The Most Unhealthy Items At Burger King

Now that you know some of the history of this food chain, let's get into the most unhealthy items at Burger King. Let's break down the nutritional profile of some of the brand's biggest “calorie bombs.”

1. Triple Stacker XL Burger

Starting with perhaps the unhealthiest of options. Let us introduce you to the Triple Stacker XL Burger from Burger King. This singular burger contains a whopping 1,132 calories per serving size. It has 51 grams of carbohydrates and 9.7 grams of sugar. It has 69 grams of fat, 33 grams of saturated fat, and 78 grams of protein. So you're bound to get your protein fix from this burger. But, keep in mind that the recommended daily calorie total is 2,000 for females and 2,500 for males. One of these burgers will get you really close to that total, in just one meal, without sides, or anything particularly that good for you.

2. Triple Whopper Burger

Next up, is the Triple Whopper Burger. With a similar three-patty makeup it clocks in at 1,108 calories. It has 47.5 grams of carbohydrates, 11.7 grams of sugar, and 76.2 grams of protein. This burger has 68.4 grams of fat, 24.4 grams of saturated fat, and 2.4 grams of trans fat. And it's important to note the 1,117 milligrams of sodium. That is nearly half the recommended daily amount of 2,300 milligrams (via FDA). So, you're getting a high dose of calories, and about half the recommended dose of daily sodium, from a single order of the Triple Whopper Burger.

3. Bacon King Burger

The Bacon King Burger has all kinds of fat and protein content. This burger features two Angus beef patties and strips of smoked bacon. It has 1,087 calories, only slightly fewer than the previous burger. In this option, you'll find 59.6 grams of protein and 48.7 grams of carbohydrates. It has 10.6 grams of sugar, 6,500 milligrams of sodium (way over the daily recommended intake), and a whole lot of fat content.

4. Texas Double Whopper Burger

The Texas Double Whopper Burger contains around 1,400 calories according to Carb Manager. It has 50 grams of carbohydrates, 56 grams of protein, and 1770 milligrams of sodium per serving. Originally only available in Texas, Burger King rolled out the sandwich nationwide in 2021 (via Fast Food Post). Combined with Burger King's sides, and maybe a sweet treat, you're ordering a serious calorie bomb with the Texas Double Whopper Burger.

5. Bacon and Swiss BK Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Moving onto chicken sandwiches, let's take a look at the Bacon and Swiss BK Royal Crispy Chicken sandwich. This one has a lower calorie count than the burgers on this list but still has 820 calories per serving. It has 48 grams of total fat, 2,170 milligrams of sodium, 57 grams of carbohydrates, and 47 grams of protein (via Nutritionix). Remember the recommended daily sodium intake? One Bacon and Swiss BK Royal Crispy Chicken sandwich pretty much covers it for both male and female adults.

6. Spicy BK Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Clocking in at 760 calories, the Spicy BK Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich has 47 grams of total fat, 58 grams of carbohydrates, and 34 grams of protein (via Nutritionix). As for sodium levels, this sandwich takes the cake with 1,580 milligrams of sodium per serving. Between the breading, the sauce, the bun, and the meat, this is one sandwich to avoid eating frequently.

7. Double Sausage, Egg & Cheese Biscuit Sandwich

And last, for this list anyway, let's check out this particular Burger King breakfast sandwich. This sandwich has 852.9 calories, which increases to 882 if you order the croissant bun instead of a biscuit. It has 29.6 grams of fat, 2,526.1 milligrams of sodium, and 34.3 grams of carbohydrates. In this sandwich, you'll find 33.3 grams of protein and 3.6 grams of sugar. Maybe not the best way to start your day!

Healthier Options at Burger King

So, now that you know what not to order, especially if you're counting your calories, let's take a look at some healthier options. WebMD lists Burger King's “Original Chicken Sandwich,” among the healthiest of their menu items. It has 660 calories, around 40 grams of fat, and is lower in saturated, and trans fats.

Healthline recommends small orders of Burger King's breakfast items, including their french toast sticks, hashbrowns, and their croissant, egg, and cheese sandwich. A simple, non-Whopper, hamburger only has 240 calories per serving, and their four-piece chicken nuggets only have 170 calories! How you order, and what kinds of sauces, or sides you pair your order with, definitely impact the overall nutritional profile of your Burger King experience. There are absolutely ways to focus on the healthier menu items at a restaurant chain of this kind, starting with knowing which calorie bombs to avoid.

According to Women's Health Magazine, nutritionists recommend the veggie burger, the grilled chicken garden salad, and the grilled chicken sandwich. You can also opt for a side salad with your single-patty hamburger, or go for a small fry instead of a medium. It's all about knowing how to work the menu.

The next time you go to Burger King, you'll be well set up to order in a way that best fits your health goals. Whether it's ordering a high-calorie sandwich and planning healthier meals around that, or picking the lower-calorie option to start, you can definitely make the menu options at Burger King work for you.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Burger King Press Releas.