Junk food refers to processed foods that have little nutritional value. Indeed, some may contain downright harmful ingredients. Unfortunately, these foods are typically tasty, inexpensive, and widely available. However, research suggests that frequent junk food consumption may lead to food addiction, overeating, and obesity.
Here are the top 16 Most Unhealthy Fast Foods You Need To Know This Year
1. McDonald’s – Triple Cheeseburger
McDonald’s Triple Cheeseburger is a prime example of unhealthy fast food. It’s loaded with saturated fats from the three beef patties and three slices of cheese. Excessive calories, sodium, and refined carbohydrates make this meal a nutritional disaster.
2. KFC – Double Down
KFC’s Double Down is undeniably one of the most unhealthy fast foods you need to know this year. Instead of a traditional bun, it sandwiches bacon and cheese between two deep-fried chicken fillets, creating a meal overloaded with saturated fat, sodium, and calories. T
his extreme menu item offers little nutritional benefit and poses serious risks for heart health and cholesterol levels. While it might appeal to bold eaters, the Double Down is a dietary disaster disguised as fast-food innovation.
3. Taco Bell – XXL Grilled Stuft Burrito
Taco Bell’s XXL Grilled Stuft Burrito earns its spot as one of the most unhealthy fast foods you need to know this year.
Packed with oversized portions of seasoned meat, melted cheese, rice, beans, and sour cream, this burrito is a calorie-loaded, sodium-packed meal.
Its massive size and heavy ingredients contribute to excessive sodium intake, increasing the risk of hypertension and unwanted weight gain. While filling, this burrito offers more harm than nourishment, making it a risky choice for your health.
4. Burger King – Triple Whopper with Cheese
This burger features three beef patties, loads of cheese, and mayonnaise, resulting in a meal with excessive saturated fat and calories, which can lead to obesity and heart disease.
5. Arby’s – Meat Mountain
Arby’s Meat Mountain sandwich is a towering monstrosity that earns its place among the most unhealthy fast foods you need to know this year.
Piled high with nearly every meat on the menu—turkey, ham, brisket, roast beef, bacon, and chicken tenders—plus cheese, it delivers an overwhelming load of saturated fat, sodium, and calories in one sitting.
While it might satisfy extreme cravings, this protein-packed giant is a nutritional nightmare that can wreak havoc on your heart and waistline.
6. Wendy’s – Baconator
Wendy’s Baconator is packed with bacon and cheese, contributing to its high saturated fat content. The large portion size and excessive calories make it a poor choice for health-conscious individuals.
7. Pizza Hut – Meat Lover’s Pizza
Pizza Hut’s Meat Lover’s Pizza is a prime example of one of the most unhealthy fast foods you need to know this year. Stacked with processed meats like pepperoni, sausage, ham, and bacon, each slice is packed with saturated fat, sodium, and calories.
While undeniably flavorful, this indulgent pie offers minimal nutritional value and contributes to health risks like hypertension and heart disease. A few slices can easily push you past daily dietary limits, making it a treat best enjoyed sparingly.
8. Dairy Queen – The Royal Reese’s Brownie Blizzard
This dessert at Dairy Queen is a sugar bomb, combining ice cream, brownie pieces, and Reese’s peanut butter cups. It’s sky-high in added sugars and saturated fats.
9. Subway – Footlong Spicy Italian
Subway – Footlong Spicy Italian
Subway’s Footlong Spicy Italian may come from a brand known for healthier options, but don’t be fooled—this sandwich can quickly become one of the most unhealthy fast food choices.
With high-fat meats like pepperoni and salami, and calorie-loaded toppings like cheese, mayonnaise, and oil-based dressings, this sub can rival any fast-food burger in sodium and saturated fat.
When loaded with extras, it easily derails your health goals, making moderation and mindful customization essential.
10. Papa John’s – The Meat Pizza
Papa John’s The Meat Pizza is crammed with pepperoni, sausage, ham, and bacon, which translates to excessive saturated fat, sodium, and calories per slice.
11. Jack in the Box – Bacon & Egg Chicken Sandwich
The Jack in the Box Bacon & Egg Chicken Sandwich is one of the most unhealthy fast foods you need to know this year.
Combining fried chicken, bacon, and eggs, this breakfast sandwich delivers a heavy hit of calories, saturated fat, and sodium—all before your day even begins.
While it may sound like a savory morning treat, it offers little nutritional balance and can leave you feeling sluggish. For a healthier start, consider skipping this high-fat, calorie-loaded option.
12. Sonic – SuperSONIC Bacon Double Cheeseburger
The Sonic SuperSONIC Bacon Double Cheeseburger stands out as one of the most unhealthy fast foods you need to know this year. Loaded with two juicy beef patties, crispy bacon, and melted cheese, it’s a sodium- and saturated fat-heavy meal that can quickly derail your daily dietary goals.
With sky-high calorie content and minimal nutritional value, this indulgent burger poses serious risks for heart health and weight management. It’s a satisfying bite, but one that comes with a heavy health cost.
13. In-N-Out – Animal Style Double-Double
In-N-Out’s Animal Style Double-Double is loaded with a special sauce, extra cheese, and grilled onions, adding extra saturated fats and calories.
14. Pop Tarts
Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts have been around since the 1960s. These pastries have a sweet filling and are often glazed with an outer coating of frosting as well. Pop-Tarts can be a tempting breakfast choice when you’re short on time. You can store them at room temperature and quickly prepare them in a toaster.
But despite their convenience, Pop-Tarts contain highly processed ingredients, including soybean oil and refined flour. Plus, they are loaded with three types of sugar: refined white sugar, corn syrup, and high fructose corn syrup.
All of these consist of large amounts of fructose, a simple sugar that has been linked to an increased risk of several diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. The nutrition information on the Pop-Tarts label refers to the amount in one pastry. However, each package contains two pastries, so this is a more realistic serving size.
Two Frosted Strawberry Pop Tarts contain 400 calories, 76 grams of carbs, less than 2 grams of fiber and a mere 4 grams of protein. This high-sugar, low-protein junk food is a terrible choice to start off your day.
15. Carl’s Jr. – Monster Thickburger
The Carl’s Jr. Monster Thickburger ranks among the most unhealthy fast foods you need to know this year. Packed with two hefty beef patties, layers of crispy bacon, and melted cheese, it delivers a dangerously high dose of saturated fat and calories in a single serving.
This calorie bomb can easily exceed the daily recommended fat intake, making it a poor choice for anyone watching their health. Think twice before indulging—your heart and waistline will thank you.
16. Hardee’s – 2/3 lb. Monster Thickburger
When it comes to Most Unhealthy Fast Foods, Hardee’s 2/3 lb. Monster Thickburger earns its place as one of the most unhealthy fast foods you need to know this year. Stacked with two oversized beef patties, crispy bacon, and layers of gooey cheese, this burger packs an alarming amount of calories, saturated fat, and sodium. I
t’s a fast-track ticket to exceeding your daily nutritional limits in just one meal. While it may satisfy extreme cravings, the long-term health risks far outweigh the temporary indulgence. This is one meal best left off your regular menu.
Conclusion
While fast food can be convenient and satisfying, many menu items come at a steep nutritional cost. The 16 meals highlighted here are packed with excessive calories, saturated fats, sodium, and processed ingredients posing serious health risks when consumed regularly.
From towering burgers to overloaded burritos and indulgent breakfast sandwiches, these items are best approached with caution. Being informed about what you eat empowers you to make better choices.