We all love fast food. It’s quick, it’s relatively well-priced in comparison to other foods, it definitely tastes good and it’s also filling. What else could you ask for, right? Well, the main issue with this type of nutrition is that it’s not exactly the healthiest. The fact is that it’s quite high in sodium, saturated fats, sugar, cholesterol and calories. And this is the focal point of our article today: the calorie intake.
According to the Mifflin-St. Jeor equation, an average woman needs to eat approximately 2,000 calories in one day in order to maintain her current weight, while a man requires 2,500 calories daily to preserve his weight. The problem is that some fast foods contain more than half of the total of calories the average adult should be eating on a daily basis. And this is something you should take into account before thinking of devouring that double bacon cheeseburger!
In this article we’re going to show you a list of fast food items that are quite high in calories. But we’re also going to suggest a solution and hence show you how you can burn off those extra calories by engaging in simple physical activities: walking and running. Just download ActivityTracker on your Android or iOS device and you’re good to go. The app will automatically record and display all the relevant fitness data, such as the steps taken, the distance walked or ran, the amount of calories burned and total active time.
Crunchy Onion Rings: 1250 Calories
On top of the list are Applebee’s crunchy onion rings with a staggering value of 1,250 calories. In order to burn this amount of calories a 160 lbs (73 kg) adult will need to take 28,410 steps, walk for 295 minutes (at a 3 mph / 4.8 km/h speed) or run for 105 minutes (at a 6 mph / 9.6 km/h speed).
Burger King Double Whopper: 980 Calories
Going for a double whopper with no cheese at Burger King will result in a 900 calorie intake. Add cheese and it will take you to 980 calories. In order to get rid off these calories you’ll need to take 22,270 steps, walk for 232 minutes or run for 83 minutes at the earlier-mentioned speed.
Wendy’s Baconator: 950 Calories
Devouring a Wendy’s Baconator single will lead to a calorie intake of 610. Going for a double takes you to a total of 950. In order to burn this amount of calories you’ll need to take 21,590 steps, walk for 224 minutes or run for 116 minutes.
Taco Bell Taco Salad: 906 Calories
Normally you’d think a salad will be quite low in calories, but no, not this one. Take a crispy taco shell, add some ground beef, shredded cheese, sour cream and vegetables and you’ll end up with 906 calories. In order to burn them off you’ll need to take 20,590 steps, walk 214 minutes or run 110 minutes.
McDonald’s Big Breakfast: 767 Calories
Scrambled eggs, sausage, crispy hash browns and a warm biscuit. This is how you start off your day with 767 calories. If you want to burn them, you’ll need to take 17,430 steps, walk 181 minutes or go for a run for 65 minutes.
KFC Crispy Twister: 630 Calories
Are your craving for chicken strips with iceberg lettuce, tomatoes and mayo wrapped in a flour tortilla? Then go ahead and enjoy your meal. Just take into account that to burn those 630 calories you’ll need to take 14,320 steps, walk 149 minutes or run 53 minutes.
Beef Burrito: 578 Calories
You can’t really say no to a tasty beef burrito, right? Not even if you found out that it has 578 calories and it requires 13,140 steps to take, 136 minutes of walking or 49 minutes of running in order to burn them off?
Big Mac: 540 Calories
Any person who’s a McDonald’s regular has tried at least once a Big Mac. We don’t really want to put a damper on your meal plans, but just bear in mind that it will require 12,270 steps, 128 minutes of walking and 46 of running in order to get rid of the calories found in this special burger.
Subway Tuna Sub: 517 Calories
If you want to order a tuna sandwich at Subway, you can’t go wrong. It’s just delicious. On the downside, it’s not exactly low in calories. You’ll need to take 11,750 steps, walk almost 2 hours, 122 minutes to be more precise, or run 44 minutes.
Taco Bell Quesadilla: 510 Calories
Devouring a 510 calories chicken quesadilla from Taco Bell will require taking 11,590 steps, exactly two hours of walking and 43 minutes of running. If you want to burn off the undesired fat, of course.
Burger King Nuggets: 491 Calories
You know them. Tender on the inside, crispy on the outside. A portion of chicken nuggets from Burger King is hard to refuse. But it will require taking 11,160 steps, going for a 116-minute walk or running 41 minutes to burn off those unwanted calories.
McDonald’s Medium Fries: 340 Calories
A small order of the famous french fries equals 230 calories. Go for a medium and you’ll jump to 340 calories. We know, they pair up perfectly with a tasty burger. But take into consideration that you’ll need to take 7,730 steps, walk 80 minutes or run 29 minutes to get rid of those calories.
Hot Dog on a Bun: 320 Calories
Everyone enjoys a hot dog once in a while. It’s easy to make, tastes good and in comparison to other similar fast foods it’s not that high in calories. To burn 320 calories you’ll need to take 7,270 steps, walk 75 minutes or run 27 minutes.
4 Cheese Pizza: 285 Calories
Depending on the crust, a 4 cheese pizza slice can reach up to 285 calories, which is a lot for a single slice. In order to burn off that amount of calories you’ll need to take 6,480 steps, walk 67 minutes or go for a 24-minute run.
Pizza Hut Pepperoni: 220 Calories
A medium slice of Pizza Hut’s pepperoni pizza will lead to an intake of 220 calories. This means you’ll need to take 5,000 steps, go for a 52-minute walk or run 19 minutes in the park in order to burn off those calories.
As a conclusion, it’s important to know how many calories are in your favorite fast food meals. Knowing the caloric and nutritional value of what you’re eating can help you make better, healthier menu choices in the future. Of course, this doesn’t mean fast foods should be completely off the table. Just try to do everything in moderation and maintain your physical activity as high as possible in order to enjoy a lifelong good health.