Yes, these beloved chicken sandwiches from major brands are extremely unhealthy!
When it comes to chicken sandwiches, it seems like the world is divided. From people arguing about which fast food chain makes the best one in the country all the way to convincing themselves that they are the healthy alternative at any fast food restaurant, the arguments are as varied and long as all the chicken sandwiches’ lists out there!
Yet one thing is true: while some of these sandwiches are healthier than burgers and other fast food items, not all of them are created equal. The harder truth to swallow is that some of the nation’s favorite sandwiches have turned out to be worse for your health than you ever thought!
Before you jump ahead and think that we are trying to make you feel bad for eating at these joints or that you are choosing to go to them, know that it is not the case!
The occasional fast food item has never truly hurt anyone, but some of these choices are so nutritionally bad that you should know to avoid them!
From how many calories there are in some of these chicken sandwiches to the unholy amount of sodium they carry, we have brought you some of the most unhealthy choices you could make and why, so you can make an informed decision! If you’re curious, keep on reading!
Is your favorite on our list? What do you think about these sandwiches? Has your view of them changed after reading our article? All replies are welcome in the comments!
KFC Spicy Chicken Sandwich
If we are talking about some of the most famous fried chicken franchises, then KFC is up there, and the Colonel’s recipe has won the hearts of many over the years. It may not be the first spot you may choose for lunch or dinner, but let’s be candid: it’s a decent spot when you are in a pinch or you crave something, and they are tried and true!
The sad part is that KFC’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich is not one of the items that you should cross from your list of items to order, and we are sorry if it is your favorite one.
This sandwich has about 650 calories per serving, which is far from some bigger numbers on our list, and the fat-to-carb ratio could be considered somewhat decent when it comes to fast food items (33 grams for fat and 49 grams for carbohydrates). However, what makes this sandwich so unbelievably unhealthy is the amount of salt it packs!
If you are trying to watch the amount of sodium you eat or if you know you have problems with it, this sandwich is one to steer clear of. It packs a huge amount of 2140 milligrams per sandwich, which is not healthy in the slightest. To put it into perspective, the FDA recommends a total of 2340 milligrams of sodium per day!
Needless to say, this chicken sandwich is unlikely to be your meal of the day, so we recommend you choose something else!
McDonald’s Spicy Deluxe McCrispy
Another fast food giant is next on our list, and we do not have to explain to you why. After all, they are known to not have the most nutritious or best choices if you are trying to be healthy, but in the end, if you occasionally stop to eat there, it is not going to ruin your health.
The reason why you should stay away from this spicy chicken sandwich is similar to the reason why the KFC one should be avoided, yet on a smaller scale. It gets brownie points for having shredded lettuce and tomatoes added to the mix (veggies are always great), and if you want to indulge, it would not be the worst one to pick.
The McDonald’s Spicy Deluxe McCrispy Sandwich only has about 530 calories by itself, which is not bad all things considered, and better than the earliest entry on our list. However, the size of it (as it is on the smaller side) combined with the rest of the nutritional values is what concerns us.
The carb content is just as high as KFC’s (standing at 49 grams), but this small sandwich packs 1200 milligrams of sodium! Given the size, it is more likely than not to satisfy you, and if you add a portion of salty fries to the side, your sodium intake for one meal will likely be too high.
If you are careful of your choices and you are not on strict instructions to avoid sodium, it is not the worst choice, so you could indulge from time to time. But definitely do not make it a regular!
Burger King Spicy BK Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Another giant’s crispy chicken sandwich on the list; you are probably not going to Burger King for their chicken options, but it is a treat that a lot of people enjoy given that it is one of their most popular chicken items.
Despite this, like with the other sandwiches on our list so far, this one needs to stay a treat and only be eaten from time to time, or avoided at all costs if you are on a low-sodium diet!
Burger King Spicy BK Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwich comes in as the highest caloric number so far, sitting at 760, with quite high amounts of fat (65 grams) and carbs (59 grams), which are not going to make any dietician happy.
However, the 2000 milligrams of sodium are what should truly scare you about this sandwich, and as opposed to some others on the list, it will be enough to keep you full for a meal.
As we mentioned, there’s nothing wrong with it as a treat, but if you find yourself craving it regularly and start having sodium issues, you can probably guess where it’s coming from.
Cheesecake Factory Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
Despite not being a true fast food restaurant, this chain is famous all across the United States, and for good reason. One of them is just how big the portions can be, and it is one of the places where you would go when you were feeling indulgent.
One of their popular entrees (which still baffles us since it does not seem like an entree menu item) is their Chicken Parmesan Sandwich. This sandwich is inspired by the Italian dish, and it is served on a French roll with breaded chicken cutlets coated in crispy breadcrumbs and topped with melted cheese and tomato sauce. It sounds delicious!
However, if you are trying to be healthy, you should think twice about this sandwich if you are trying to watch what you eat. As the most unhealthy entry on our list, this chicken sandwich is about 1960 on its own! Add to these the 99 grams of carbs, 126 grams of fat, and the horribly high amount of sodium of 3510 milligrams; it is not for the faint of heart!
If you are trying in any way to be careful of your sodium or fat intake, this sandwich has no place in your food choices at this chain.
Chick-fil-A Spicy Deluxe Sandwich
Some popular fast food places can be considered a “healthier alternative” to others when you take into consideration all the things that make up the nutritional information for their food. As far as Chick-fil-A is concerned, it is a pretty good pick, but you need to make sure what you are choosing is not one of their most caloric and sodium-forward foods.
Unfortunately, one of their most popular chicken sandwiches is on the list of items to avoid, namely their Spicy Deluxe Sandwich.
Compared to others on this list, it is not the worst one out there, coming in at 520 calories, along with 46 grams of carbohydrates and 25 grams of fat, but like with most of them, what brings it down is the sodium amount.
This sandwich has a massive amount of 1790 milligrams of sodium, which is not as bad as others, but it is still pretty substantial. All in all, there are better options at this fast-food restaurant that are not going to set you back this much, especially if you are paying attention to your sodium and carb intake.
If you want to indulge in the occasional chicken sandwich but do not want to deal with the huge amounts of salt, why not try to make them yourself? This recipe book has a ton of sandwich options for lunch or dinner (not just chicken sandwiches), and you may find your new favorite ones among them!
These are just some of the fast food items you should try to avoid as much as possible, despite seemingly being healthier than others. However, there are a few fast food items that you should never eat, and we have gathered the ones most detrimental to your health in this article right here!
