Nutrition Diet: What's the most unhealthiest fast food burger?

November 1, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2024 study by PlushCare, the classic Five Guys cheeseburger was ranked the most unhealthy fast-food cheeseburger, earning the highest 'unhealthiness score' largely due to its significantly high saturated fat content. But beyond a single champion of unhealthiness, what factors contribute to the debate over what's the most unhealthiest fast food burger?

Quick Summary

An in-depth look at the nutritional culprits behind fast food's unhealthiest burgers, examining high-ranking items like the Five Guys cheeseburger and record-holders from Heart Attack Grill. This guide breaks down the specific health risks of excessive calories, saturated fat, and sodium, and outlines strategies for making better choices when dining out.

Key Points

Five Guys Leads Saturated Fat: A 2024 study identified the Five Guys cheeseburger as the most unhealthy, citing its remarkably high saturated fat content.
Calories Versus Nutrition: While extreme outliers exist, the unhealthiness of typical fast-food burgers is measured by overall nutritional density, including calories, fat, and sodium.
Larger Burgers, Larger Risks: Multi-patty and stacked burgers, like Wendy's Dave's Triple and Burger King's Triple Whopper, are consistently among the highest in calories and fat.
Fat and Sodium are Key Culprits: The excess saturated fat and high sodium levels in many fast-food burgers and their condiments are linked to heart disease and high blood pressure.
Customizing Orders Helps: Simple changes like removing cheese or mayo, choosing grilled options, and opting for water over soda can significantly improve a fast-food meal's health profile.
It's the Diet, Not the Burger: Consuming fast food occasionally is less harmful than making it a regular habit, which can lead to long-term health issues.

Defining 'Unhealthy' in Fast Food

When determining what's the most unhealthiest fast food burger, the answer depends on the specific nutritional metrics analyzed. While a Guinness World Record holder like the Quadruple Bypass Burger from Heart Attack Grill, with nearly 10,000 calories, is an obvious outlier, mainstream fast-food chains offer items that are alarmingly high in specific areas. Key indicators of an unhealthy burger include excessive calories, high levels of saturated and trans fats, and an overload of sodium. These are the primary culprits for negative health impacts when consumed regularly.

The Five Guys Cheeseburger: The Saturated Fat King

A comprehensive 2024 study evaluated burgers from 24 popular chains based on calories, sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. The Five Guys cheeseburger scored the highest unhealthiness points, primarily because it contained 73% more saturated fat than any other cheeseburger in the study. With approximately 984 calories and 26.5 grams of saturated fat, it stands out as a major dietary concern.

Other Notable Unhealthy Contenders

While Five Guys took the top spot in the PlushCare study, other fast-food giants offer large, multi-patty burgers that push the limits of what a single meal should contain. These menu items are frequently designed for maximum flavor and satiety, often at the expense of nutritional value. Examples include:

Burger King's Triple Whopper with Cheese: This large burger can pack over 1,300 calories, 89 grams of fat, and a whopping 1,830 mg of sodium.
Wendy's Dave's Triple Cheeseburger: Another contender for excessive calories, coming in at approximately 1,160 calories with 81 grams of fat and 1,570 mg of sodium.

The Anatomy of an Unhealthy Burger

It's not just the sheer size of the burger that makes it unhealthy; it's the combination of specific ingredients and preparation methods. Here are some of the components that contribute to a burger's poor nutritional profile:

High-Fat Ground Beef: Restaurants often use fattier cuts of ground beef (like 70/30) for flavor, which increases the saturated fat content.
Cheese Slices: Multiple layers of processed American cheese add significant calories, fat, and sodium to the mix.
High-Calorie Condiments: Mayonnaise-based sauces and other dressings contribute substantially to the total fat and calorie count.
Refined Carbohydrate Buns: Standard white buns are often made with refined flour and added sugar, offering little nutritional value and contributing to blood sugar spikes.
Processed Additives: Many fast-food ingredients, from the bun to the meat, contain preservatives and additives that are not present in fresh, home-cooked food.

Comparison of High-Impact Burgers

To illustrate the nutritional disparities, here is a comparison table of some of the heaviest-hitting burgers from popular chains. All figures are approximate and based on standard menu items; customization can change the nutritional profile.


Burger Chain	Menu Item	Approximate Calories	Approximate Saturated Fat (g)	Approximate Sodium (mg)
Five Guys	Cheeseburger	984	26.5	1050
Burger King	Triple Whopper w/ Cheese	1300	36	1830
Wendy's	Dave's Triple	1160	34	1570
Heart Attack Grill	Quadruple Bypass Burger	9982	N/A	N/A

Making Healthier Fast Food Choices

Even when faced with an array of unhealthy options, it is possible to navigate the fast-food landscape more mindfully. Making informed decisions can significantly reduce the negative impact on your diet and health. A helpful resource for understanding these trade-offs is the Medical News Today article on fast-food effects.

Here are some tips for making healthier choices:

Choose Smaller Portions: Opt for a single patty burger instead of a triple or a large, multi-stack option.
Go for Grilled: When possible, choose grilled chicken sandwiches or salads with lean protein over fried alternatives, as grilled items are significantly lower in fat and calories.
Customize Your Order: Request to hold the mayo, cheese, or other high-calorie condiments. Use mustard or ketchup sparingly for flavor.
Load Up on Veggies: Add extra lettuce, tomatoes, and onions to your burger for added fiber and nutrients, which can increase satiety.
Skip the Combo: Avoid the temptation of an 'upsized' combo meal, which often includes high-fat fries and a sugary soda. Choose water instead of a sugary drink.
Consider a Side Salad: If available, substitute fries with a side salad and a light vinaigrette dressing.

Conclusion

While a single fast-food meal won't destroy your health, regular consumption of the highest-impact burgers can contribute to serious long-term health issues like obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Identifying what's the most unhealthiest fast food burger is less about finding a single culprit and more about understanding the nutritional factors at play. Burgers with multiple patties, excessive cheese, high-fat sauces, and refined buns consistently rank at the top of the 'unhealthy' list due to their concentrated calories, saturated fat, and sodium. By making conscious choices, such as customizing orders and opting for smaller, simpler versions, it is possible to minimize the negative health effects associated with fast-food consumption.

Medical News Today: Fast food effects: Short-term, long-term, physical, mental, and more

Frequently Asked Questions

According to a 2024 study by PlushCare, Five Guys has the most unhealthy cheeseburger among the popular chains examined, with a high score attributed to its large saturated fat content.

The Five Guys cheeseburger stood out in a nutritional analysis because it contained 73% more saturated fat than the next highest competitor, making it a particularly high-risk choice for heart health.

While an extreme outlier holds a Guinness World Record for calories, typical contenders for the most unhealthy fast-food burgers, like the Burger King Triple Whopper, can exceed 1,300 calories in a single sandwich.

Burgers are typically considered unhealthy due to high levels of saturated and trans fats, excessive sodium, and large amounts of calories from fatty meat, processed cheese, and high-sugar condiments.

Yes, you can make healthier choices by asking for no cheese, mayo, or bacon; opting for a smaller patty size; adding extra vegetables; and choosing water instead of a sugary beverage.

Limit your fast-food consumption to occasional treats rather than a regular dietary staple. A balanced diet rich in whole foods, fiber, and lean protein is key to mitigating the health risks associated with fast food.

Some standard, single-patty cheeseburgers from chains like Culver's and McDonald's tend to have lower calories, fat, and sodium compared to their much larger, multi-patty competitors.