A Tale of Two Burgers: The Core Comparison
The fundamental difference between a meal at McDonald's and Five Guys lies in portion size, ingredients, and preparation. Five Guys emphasizes fresh, made-to-order food, which can be deceivingly dense in calories and fat. In contrast, McDonald's relies on a standardized process that yields smaller, more uniform portions, resulting in generally lower nutritional values per item. A single cheeseburger from Five Guys, for example, packs a massive 980 calories, 55g of fat, and 1,050mg of sodium, while a McDonald's cheeseburger comes in at a much lighter 300 calories, 13g of fat, and 720mg of sodium. These figures illustrate why Five Guys frequently scores higher on 'unhealthiness' scales.
The Saturated Fat Problem
One of the most striking findings from the 2024 PlushCare study was the saturated fat content. The Five Guys cheeseburger was found to have 73% more saturated fat than any other fast-food cheeseburger in the analysis. Saturated fat is a key concern for heart health, and this dramatic difference highlights a major health disparity between the two chains. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat to 13 grams or less per day for a 2,000-calorie diet, a limit that a single Five Guys cheeseburger exceeds dramatically.
Fries and Chicken: A Deeper Dive
The nutritional story extends beyond just the standard burger. The accompaniments and alternative protein options also show a clear winner and loser in the health department.
French Fries
- Five Guys: Often considered less healthy, a regular serving of Five Guys fries contains 953 calories and 41g of fat. The fries are cooked in peanut oil and, although the oil itself is trans fat-free, the cooking method and portion size lead to a high-calorie side.
- McDonald's: A regular serving of McDonald's fries has 413 calories and 18.8g of fat, making them a less calorie-dense option. The 2024 PlushCare study also ranked McDonald's fries as significantly less unhealthy than Five Guys'.
Chicken Options
- Five Guys: Chicken options are limited and usually focus on sandwiches rather than nuggets.
- McDonald's: The McDonald's McChicken was ranked as the least unhealthy fast-food chicken burger in the 2024 PlushCare study, scoring nearly half the 'unhealthiness points' of its competitors. Similarly, McDonald's Chicken McNuggets scored better than those from Popeyes and Arby's.
Customization and Calories
Five Guys' draw is its customizable burgers with a wide array of free toppings. While this can create a delicious and satisfying meal, it also allows customers to unwittingly pile on extra calories, fat, and sodium. The generous portions are another factor; a Five Guys burger is typically much larger and more calorie-dense than a standard McDonald's burger, even with similar basic ingredients. At McDonald's, the menu items are pre-portioned and standardized, offering a more predictable nutritional profile.
Five Guys vs. McDonald's: Nutritional Comparison Table
| Item | Five Guys | McDonald's |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Cheeseburger | 980 calories, 55g fat, 1,050mg sodium | 300 calories, 13g fat, 720mg sodium |
| Regular Fries | 953 calories, 41g fat | 413 calories, 18.8g fat |
| Sodium (Cheeseburger) | High - 1,050mg | Moderate - 720mg |
| Saturated Fat (Cheeseburger) | Very High - 55g (73% higher than average) | Moderate - 13g |
| Ingredient Quality | Emphasizes fresh ingredients | Standardized, processed ingredients |
Conclusion: So, What's More Unhealthy?
Based on a direct comparison of standard menu items, the verdict is clear: Five Guys is significantly more unhealthy than McDonald's. While both are fast-food chains with nutritional drawbacks, Five Guys' larger portions, higher-calorie ingredients, and overall higher fat and sodium content place it firmly in the less-healthy category. McDonald's, despite its processed nature, offers more moderate portion sizes and lower nutritional numbers, making it the lesser of two evils. Ultimately, both should be consumed in moderation, but for those watching their diet, McDonald's presents more manageable options than a typical calorically-dense Five Guys meal. The key takeaway is that an indulgent meal at Five Guys can easily exceed a person's entire daily recommended intake for saturated fat and approach their total daily calories.
Learn more about the study that named Five Guys' burger the unhealthiest at the PlushCare blog(https://plushcare.com/blog/most-least-healthy-items-fast-food).
