By Jim Bloch
What 10 fast food restaurants are among the least healthy in the U.S.?
A recent ranking by WorldAtlas found Wendy’s at number one, followed by Sonic, Taco Bell, Dairy Queen, KFC, Quiznos, McDonald’s, Smashburger, Little Caesars and Chik-Fil-A.
The Port Huron area is home to seven of the 10 unhealthiest restaurants.
“Americans eat out more than ever, but convenience often hides amounts of salt, sugar, and saturated fat,” the report said. “To spotlight the worst offenders in the U.S., we reviewed nutrition data, menu gimmicks and marketing tactics at major chains. The ten restaurants below routinely serve meals that can eclipse daily calorie limits in a single sitting while encouraging visits through bargain pricing and around-the-clock service.”
Bad consequences flow from the easy, relatively cheap availability of fast-food.
Nearly 20 percent of U.S. kids ages two-19 are obese.
“Excess calories, fat, sodium, and added sugar in fast-food meals contribute to higher risks of heart disease and type 2 diabetes,” the report noted.
Port Huron features two Wendy’s, one on Hancock and another on Oak Street.
“A Triple Baconator meal with large fries and medium Frosty hits about 2,160 calories, 54 g saturated fat and 3,400 mg sodium, exceeding most daily limits in one sitting,” the report said.
To snarf some Sonic, Port Huron residents must make their way to Clinton Township, Shelby Township or Lapeer.
But Port Huron is home to a Taco Bell, the third most unhealthy restaurant, on 24th Street. There is also one on 24th Avenue in Fort Gratiot, another in Marysville and one in St. Clair.
“Taco Bell turns Tex-Mex mash-ups into salt-soaked calorie loads,” according to WorldAtlas. “A Beefy 5-Layer Burrito plus Baja Blast reaches 970 calories and 1,770 mg sodium.”
There is a Dairy Queen on Military Street in Port Huron, another on Pine Grove in Fort Gratiot, one on M-29 in East China, and one each in Marine City, Richmond and Algonac.
“A large OREO Blizzard at Dairy Queen contains about 1050 calories and 39 g of fat,” the report said.
There is a KFC on 24th Street in Port Huron and another on Krafft Road in Fort Gratiot.
“KFC’s buckets deliver calorie, fat and sodium bombs disguised as comfort food,” WorldAtlas said. “A three-piece Extra Crispy combo with biscuit and mashed-potato gravy hits 1,300 calories, 2,900 mg sodium and 22 g saturated fat.”
There used to be a Quiznos on 24th Avenue in Fort Gratiot, but it’s now permanently closed. Residents must make their ways to Rochester Hills for a “12-inch Classic Italian (that) runs about 1,300 calories and 2,850 mg sodium before chips, cookies or soda.”
McDonald’s are ubiquitous in the area, with two in Port Huron and one each in Fort Gratiot, Marysville, St. Clair, Marine City, Kimball Township and Algonac.
“McDonald’s 40,000-plus restaurants normalize high-calorie fast food worldwide,” the report said. “A Big Mac meal with large fries and soda tops 1,300 calories and half a day’s saturated fat; a Double Quarter Pounder combo can hit 2,000.”
There’s a Smashburger in Troy and one in Clinton Township.
Little Caesars dot the local map with one each in Port Huron, Fort Gratiot, Marysville, St. Clair and Algonac.
“Little Caesars built its ‘Pizza! Pizza!’ empire on ultra-cheap, ultra-caloric pies,” WorldAtlas said. “A $5 Hot-N-Ready pepperoni pizza packs about 2,140 calories and 4,260 mg sodium, plus a day’s saturated fat, yet it’s marketed as an everyday meal.”
A Chick-Fil-A recently opened in Fort Gratiot.
“Chick-fil-A masks calorie-dense fried-chicken fare behind a wholesome image,” the report said. “An ‘original chicken sandwich’ with medium waffle fries delivers about 750 mg sodium, about one-third of a day’s limit, and 800 calories, while sugary lemonade and milkshakes push totals sky-high.”
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
