Determining the healthier fast-food choice between two popular chains like Five Guys and Culver's requires a careful look beyond just the surface. While fast food is not a typical hallmark of a balanced diet, some options are clearly less impactful on health than others. Both chains have earned dedicated followings—Five Guys for its generously portioned, customizable burgers and free peanuts, and Culver's for its Midwest beef ButterBurgers, frozen custard, and wider menu variety. By comparing their core offerings side-by-side, a clear nutritional winner emerges.
The Burger Showdown: Five Guys vs. Culver's
The burger is the centerpiece of both menus. At Five Guys, a standard hamburger comes with two patties, while a 'Little' hamburger contains one. Culver's standard is the single ButterBurger, though it offers double and triple-patty options as well. A direct comparison between the single-patty items provides the clearest insight into the base nutritional differences.
Here’s how a basic single patty from each compares:
- Five Guys Little Hamburger (no toppings): 480 calories, 26g total fat, 11.5g saturated fat, 380mg sodium.
- Culver's Single ButterBurger (no cheese): 390 calories, 17g total fat, 7g saturated fat, 480mg sodium.
While the Culver's single burger has slightly more sodium, it is significantly lower in calories, total fat, and saturated fat. Five Guys' larger, standard double-patty burgers and extensive customizable toppings mean calories, fat, and sodium can escalate quickly. For example, a Five Guys standard Cheeseburger contains 840 calories, 55g fat, and 1050mg sodium before adding more toppings like bacon or sauces. In contrast, a Culver's Double ButterBurger without cheese is still a more moderate 490 calories and 460mg sodium. The sheer size and richness of Five Guys' offerings tend to make them a heavier choice.
Fries and Sides: A Calorie Contrast
The side dish is where the nutritional gap between the two chains widens dramatically. Five Guys is famous for its large portions of boardwalk-style fries cooked in peanut oil. However, this cooking method results in very high-calorie and high-fat content. A 'Large' Five Guys fry order contains a shocking 1,314 calories and 57g of fat. Even the 'Little' fries still contain 526 calories.
Culver's, on the other hand, offers more moderate options. Their Medium Crinkle Fries are a more modest 350 calories, for example. Additionally, Culver's menu includes a variety of other, potentially lighter side dishes. While items like the Wisconsin Cheese Curds are not a low-calorie alternative (a medium serving has 34 points on PlushCare's scale), they still offer more choice. Culver's even offers steamed broccoli as a healthier side option.
Making a Healthier Choice
Making smarter choices at either restaurant is possible with some mindfulness. Here are some strategies:
Healthier Ordering at Five Guys
- Choose a 'Little' Burger: Opt for the single-patty 'Little' hamburger to cut calories, fat, and sodium significantly.
- Go Bunless: Request a lettuce wrap or a burger bowl instead of a bun. A bunless Little Hamburger is just 220 calories.
- Embrace the Veggies: Load up on free, low-calorie toppings like grilled onions, mushrooms, green peppers, lettuce, and tomatoes to add flavor and nutrients without piling on fat and sodium.
- Skip or Split the Fries: A large order of fries can be a day's worth of calories. If you must have fries, consider sharing the 'Little' size.
Healthier Ordering at Culver's
- Stick to Single Patties: The Single ButterBurger is a more sensible option than the double or triple versions.
- Select Sensible Sides: Choose steamed broccoli over fries, or go for the garden fresco salad for a lighter meal.
- Consider Grilled Chicken: The grilled chicken sandwich is a strong contender for a lower-calorie meal, as are the various salads with grilled chicken.
- Control the Custard: While delicious, frozen custard adds significant calories. Opt for a smaller size or skip it to keep your meal on the healthier side.
Nutritional Comparison Table
| Item | Five Guys (Standard Order) | Culver's (Standard Order) |
|---|---|---|
| Burger | Cheeseburger (Double Patty) | Single ButterBurger (No Cheese) |
| Calories | 840 | 390 |
| Saturated Fat | >19.5g (Estimated from Hamburger) | 7g |
| Sodium | 1050mg | 480mg |
| Fries | Little Fries | Medium Crinkle Fries |
| Fries Calories | 526 | 350 |
| Combined Calories | ~1366 | ~740 |
Note: Nutrition data is for basic items without additional toppings or condiments.
Conclusion
When asking, is Five Guys or Culver's healthier, the answer leans definitively towards Culver's. The average Culver's meal contains significantly fewer calories, less saturated fat, and less sodium than a comparable meal from Five Guys. However, it is crucial to recognize that the healthiest options at either restaurant are the result of conscious choices. Five Guys' bunless burgers and veggie toppings allow for a lighter meal, but the menu's standard offerings are nutritionally dense. Culver's wider array of alternatives, from grilled chicken to steamed broccoli, makes healthy eating easier to achieve. Ultimately, Culver's offers more readily available, standard options that align with healthier eating, while Five Guys requires more deliberate customization to manage portion sizes and high calorie counts. For those seeking fresh ingredients and a healthier burger experience, Culver's provides the more straightforward path to a more balanced meal. You can find more nutritional information on Culver's official site: culvers.com.
