The Best And Worst In Fast Food Lunches

Reporting
Dr. Sean Kenniff
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MIAMI (CBS4) ― We all know eating lunch at a fast food restaurant can be unhealthy, but it doesn't have to be. CBS4 Health Specialist Dr. Sean Kenniff has taken a look at the best and worst in fast food breakfasts; now, he's turning his taste buds and eyes to lunch.

With all the calories, fat and cholesterol at fast food restaurants, many Americans are eating a loaded lunch.

Even eating healthy can be heavy: a chicken sandwich (320 calories), Caesar salad (190 calories) and a sprite (130 calories) totals 640 calories.

How about a lower calorie kids' meal? A cheeseburger and fries, child-size, still runs a total of 610 calories.

To get the facts on the foods most commonly eaten, Dr. Sean Kenniff turned to Baptist Hospital nutritionist Susan Nowrouzi.

First on the list: Subway. "Subway has a reputation for having healthy foods," Nowrouzi said, "but you can also make unhealthy choices." The 6-inch Double Meat Italian BMT is one of them. It's the worst in the store at 630 calories, almost half of which is fat.

Subway's best has just 280 calories, and 4.5 grams of fat. If you're looking for the healthiest option, pick up at 6-inch Turkey Breast Sub.

Nowrouzi insisted she'd never eat a McDonald's Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese. It's the worst the Golden Arches has to offer health-wise, weighing in with half of it 740 calories from fat and a heart-clogging 155 milligrams of cholesterol.

Your best bet at McDonald's may be a plain hamburger. The classic runs just 250 calories and 25 milligrams of cholesterol.

The same goes at Wendy's; if you're looking for something healthy, pick up a Junior hamburger. The sandwich has only 220 calories, with 30 milligrams of cholesterol.

But you'll want to stay away from the restaurant's Triple with Everything and Cheese. It has nearly 1,000 calories, 60 grams of fat and 245 milligrams of cholesterol. "It's a heart attack about to happen," Nowrouzi exclaimed.

But nothing beats out Burger King for the calorie crown. The Triple Whopper with Cheese has 1230 calories, 82 grams of fat and 275 milligrams of cholesterol.

And if you crave French Fries – avoid Wendy's. Their have the most calories and fat.

It's easier than ever before to know exactly what you are eating, with just a little research. Wendy's, McDonald's, Subway and Burger King all provide nutritional information online and some even put the information right on the wrapper.

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