Fast food has become a major part of American food culture, offering quick, affordable, and satisfying meals for millions of people. However, the convenience of fast food often comes with a nutritional downside. Many popular menu items are loaded with calories, unhealthy fats, and excessive sodium, which can contribute to long-term health concerns such as obesity, heart disease, and other chronic conditions.
Among fast food favorites, burgers are some of the most popular choices—but not all burgers are equal when it comes to nutrition. A recent analysis by PlushCare ranked the Five Guys Cheeseburger as the unhealthiest fast food burger in America, based on factors including calories, saturated fat, sodium, and sugar content.
The Study: Ranking Fast Food Burgers by Nutritional Risk
The PlushCare study analyzed burgers from 24 major fast food chains, evaluating key nutritional factors that influence overall health. Researchers considered calorie levels, total fat, saturated fat, sodium, and sugar content to determine which burgers posed the greatest health concerns.
The Five Guys Cheeseburger received the highest “unhealthiness” score, reaching 50 points. It ranked significantly worse than other popular burgers, including the Whataburger Jalapeño & Cheese Burger and Smashburger’s Classic Smash, which both scored 42 points.
The main reasons behind its ranking were its extremely high calorie count, large amount of saturated fat, and high sodium content.
Nutrition Facts Behind the Five Guys Cheeseburger
The numbers explain why this burger earned the top spot on the list.
Calories: Over 1,000 Calories in One Burger
A Five Guys Cheeseburger contains around 1,060 calories, which is more than half of the daily calorie needs for many adults. Consuming such a calorie-dense meal regularly can contribute to weight gain, especially when combined with a sedentary lifestyle.
Excess calorie intake over time can increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular problems.
Fat: Extremely High Saturated Fat Levels
The burger contains approximately 62 grams of total fat, including 30 grams of saturated fat.
Saturated fat has been linked to increased levels of LDL cholesterol, often referred to as “bad cholesterol.” Elevated LDL cholesterol can contribute to plaque buildup in arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Sodium: More Than Half a Day’s Recommended Intake
With about 1,310 milligrams of sodium, the Five Guys Cheeseburger provides more than half of the daily sodium limit recommended by health organizations.
A high-sodium diet can contribute to high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems.
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