5 Ridiculously Unhealthy Fast Food Choices
By: Anthony Adragna
Published: April 25, 2011

Last week, we introduced you to a shocking 1160 calorie burger in Japan. Turns out, there are burgers much higher in calories (as well as sodium and fat) here in the United States. The average person should eat between 2,000 and 2,500 calories a day, and between 1000 and 3000 mg of sodium. Get ready to meet 5 of the unhealthiest burgers:
1. The Pizza Burger (2520 Calories, 3,780 mg sodium): Burger King began testing this burger choice at one of its flagship locations in New York City. It contains an unbelievable 144g of fat, 59g of which is saturated and 3,780mg of salt. That is nearly double the amount of sodium that a person should consume on a daily basis, by most estimates. The sandwich costs $13 and contains mozzarella, pepperoni, pesto, and marinara sauce on a 9.5 inch sesame seed bun. The chain emphasized that the hamburger was meant to be shared. Check out a photo of the pizza burger below. 

2. Double Down (540 Calories, 1380 mg sodium): Perhaps the Double Down doesn't sound that bad compared to the other items on this list. It certainly doesn't have as many carbohydrates because it contains no bread. KFC's Double Down consists of two types of cheese, lots of bacon, and the Colonel's secret sauce, all between two pieces of fried (or grilled chicken). The chain says, "this product is so meaty, there's no room for a bun." It contains 32 g of fat (in the original version) and 1,380 mg of sodium.

3. Monster Thickburger (1320 calories, 3020 mg of sodium): Hardee's unveiled this burger in 2004, and it remains a popular choice on their menu. It features 2 angus beef patties (1/3 pound each), four slices of bacon, American cheese and mayonnaise on a large bun. One of these sandwiches has 1320 calories (more than half of your daily requirement), 3020 mg of sodium, 95 g of fat and 210 mg of cholesterol.

4. A1 Peppercorn Burger (1,433 calories, 5,618 mg sodium): This was an experimental burger by the Red Robin chain of restaurants. It contains bacon, pepper jack cheese, onion straws, A1 peppercorn spread, tomatoes, and a beef patty. Unbelievably, the finished burger (which sells for $9.29) contains 5,618 mg of sodium, 97 grams of fat, and 1,433 calories. That's at least double the amount of sodium the average person should consume daily. You can see the sheer size of the burger and the onion straws in the photo below.

5. PB&C Milkshake (2,010 calories, 153 g sugar): Cold Stone Creamery offers this milkshake at their stores. It contains chocolate ice cream, peanut butter, and milk. Just one shake (in the largest size) contains 2,010 calories, 131 grams of fat and 153 grams of sugar. Health experts say that the 68 grams of saturated fat make drinking one shake equivalent to eating 68 pieces of bacon. The recommended amount of saturated fat per day is around 20 grams.
Photo by TAKA@P.P.R.S/ Mike Saechang/ chief_huddleston/ miho115