Canada’s unhealthiest fast food burgers

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

If your New Year’s resolution is to drop a few extra pounds, then you might want to think twice before biting into one of these burgers.

We compared the most fattening, calorie-filled burger options offered at six of the top Canadian fast food chains — McDonald’s, A&W, Wendy’s, Dairy Queen, Burger King and Harvey’s — and found that some very popular options contain more than half of the daily fat and sodium intake recommended for the average Canadian adult.

On a 2,000 calorie per day diet, the daily recommended amount is about 65 grams of fat (no more than 20 grams saturated), and 2,400 mg or less of sodium/day — something to keep in mind when you have a late-night burger craving. The good news? There are some equally tasty and (somewhat) healthier burger alternatives.

Make sure to scroll through to the end to see what topped our list of unhealthiest burgers!

6. HARVEY’S DOUBLE ANGUS WITH CHEESE

Harvey’s double angus with cheese. Calories: 650, Fat: 39 g (Saturated Fat 15 g), Carbohydrates: 39 g, <em>(Photo: Harvey’s Canada)</em>
Harvey’s double angus with cheese. Calories: 650, Fat: 39 g (Saturated Fat 15 g), Carbohydrates: 39 g, (Photo: Harvey’s Canada)

What it is: Two quarter pound angus patties with customized toppings and sauces — at 39 grams of fat it’s not as fattening as some other options on our list, but still one to watch out for.

Calories: 650
Fat: 39 g (Saturated Fat 15 g)
Carbohydrates: 39 g
— Source: Fat Secret Canada

Try this instead: Harvey’s Jr. Burger

harveys jr burger
Harvey’s Jr. burger. Calories: 260, Fat: 11 g (Saturated Fat 4.5g), Sodium: 460 mg, Carbohydrates: 27 g, Sugar: 3g, (Photo: Harvey’s Canada)

Calories: 260
Fat: 11 g (Saturated Fat 4.5g)
Sodium: 460 mg
Carbohydrates: 27 g
Sugar: 3g
Source: Harvey’s Canada

5. A&W GRANDPA BURGER WITH CHEESE

A&W Grandpa burger. Calories 810, Fat 50 g (Saturated Fat 22 g and Trans Fat 1.5 g), Sodium 1300 mg, Carbohydrates 29 g, Sugar 8 g <em>(Photo: A&W)</em>
A&W Grandpa burger. Calories 810, Fat 50 g (Saturated Fat 22 g and Trans Fat 1.5 g), Sodium 1300 mg, Carbohydrates 29 g, Sugar 8 g (Photo: A&W)

What it is: Three sizzling beef patties, A&W seasoning, topped with an onion slice, sauce, ketchup, mustard, pickles and processed cheddar cheese on a sesame seed bun— an astounding 50 g of fat.

Calories: 810
Fat: 50g (Saturated Fat 22 g and Trans Fat 1.5 g)
Sodium: 1300 mg
Carbohydrates: 29 g
Sugar: 8 g
— Source: A&W Canada

Runner-up: Grandpa Burger, hold the cheese (760 calories, 46 g fat/19 g saturated fat)

Try this instead: A&W Baby Burger (without cheese)

A&W Baby Burger (without cheese). Calories: 240, Fat: 8 g (Saturated Fat 3 g and 0.2 g Trans Fat) Sodium 430 mg, Carbohydrates 29 g, Sugar 5 g. <em>(Photo: A&W)</em>
A&W Baby Burger (without cheese). Calories: 240, Fat: 8 g (Saturated Fat 3 g and 0.2 g Trans Fat) Sodium 430 mg, Carbohydrates 29 g, Sugar 5 g. (Photo: A&W)

Calories: 240
Fat: 8 g (Saturated Fat 3g and 0.2 g Trans Fat)
Sodium: 430 mg
Carbohydrates: 29 g
Sugar: 5 g

4. MCDONALD’S, ANGUS TRUE BLUE & GUAC

McDonald’s Angus True Blue & Guac. Calories 830, Fat 50 g (Saturated Fat 18 g and Trans Fat 1.5 g), Sodium 1,180 mg, Carbohydrates 51 g, Sugar 6 g. <em>(Photo: McDonald’s)</em>
McDonald’s Angus True Blue & Guac. Calories 830, Fat 50 g (Saturated Fat 18 g and Trans Fat 1.5 g), Sodium 1,180 mg, Carbohydrates 51 g, Sugar 6 g. (Photo: McDonald’s)

What it is: This premium-priced burger is part of McD’s “Create Your Taste” rebranding strategy that includes more high-quality ingredients — in this case blue cheese, guacamole and an artisan-style bakery roll — but it still comes in at a staggering 50 grams of fat. If you’re craving meat from McD’s, opt for lighter ingredients at the build your own burger kiosk or grab a traditional, tried-and tested juicy burger (sans the fries).

Calories: 830
Fat: 50g (Saturated Fat 18 g and Trans Fat 1.5 g)
Sodium: 1,180 mg
Carbohydrates: 51 g
Sugar: 6 g
Source: McDonald’s Canada

Runners-up: Angus Classic Bacon and Cheese (780 calories, 41 grams of fat/18 g saturated fat); Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese (740 calories, 43 g of fat/20 g saturated fat)

Try this instead: McDonald’s Original Hamburger

McDonald’s hamburger. Calories: 240, Fat: 8 g (Saturated Fat 3g and 0.2 g Trans Fat) Sodium 510 mg, Carbohydrates 32 g, Sugar 7 g <em>(Photo: McDonald’s)</em>
McDonald’s hamburger. Calories: 240, Fat: 8 g (Saturated Fat 3g and 0.2 g Trans Fat) Sodium 510 mg, Carbohydrates 32 g, Sugar 7 g (Photo: McDonald’s)

Calories: 240
Fat: 8 g (Saturated Fat 3g and 0.2 g Trans Fat)
Sodium: 510 mg
Carbohydrates: 32 g
Sugar: 7 g

3. DAIRY QUEEN, 1/2 LB. FLAMETHROWER GRILLBURGER

Dairy Queen 1/2 lb. FlameThrower GrillBurger. Calories 990, Fat 64 g (Saturated Fat 23 g and Trans Fat 1.5 g), Sodium 1,530 mg, Carbohydrates 42 g, Sugar 4 g. <em>(Photo: Dairy Queen)</em>
Dairy Queen 1/2 lb. FlameThrower GrillBurger. Calories 990, Fat 64 g (Saturated Fat 23 g and Trans Fat 1.5 g), Sodium 1,530 mg, Carbohydrates 42 g, Sugar 4 g. (Photo: Dairy Queen)

What it is: 1/2 lb. of beef burger topped with “Fiery FlameThrower” sauce, jalapeno bacon, melted pepper jack cheese, tomato, lettuce — and served on a toasted bun — comes in at 64 grams of fat.

Calories: 990
Fat: 64 g (Saturated Fat 23 g and Trans Fat 1.5 g)
Sodium: 1,530 mg
Carbohydrates: 42 g
Sugar: 4 g
Source: Dairy Queen

Runner up: 1/2 lb. Cheese GrillBurger (770 calories, 45 g fat/19 g saturated fat)

Try this instead: Dairy Queen Original Cheeseburger

Dairy Queen Original Cheeseburger. Calories: 380, Fat: 16 g (Saturated Fat 8 g and 0.5 g Trans Fat) Sodium 710 mg, Carbohydrates 35 g, Sugar 6 g. <em>(Photo: Dairy Queen)</em>
Dairy Queen Original Cheeseburger. Calories: 380, Fat: 16 g (Saturated Fat 8 g and 0.5 g Trans Fat) Sodium 710 mg, Carbohydrates 35 g, Sugar 6 g. (Photo: Dairy Queen)

Calories: 380
Fat: 16 g (Saturated Fat 8 g and 0.5 g Trans Fat)
Sodium: 710 mg
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Sugar: 6 g

2. WENDY’S DAVE’S 3/4 LB. TRIPLE W/ CHEESE

Wendy’s, Dave’s 3/4 lb. Triple w/ Cheese. Calories 1080, Fat 67 g (Saturated Fat 29 g and Trans Fat 4 g), Sodium 1880 mg, Carbohydrates 35 g, Sugar 7 g <em>(Photo: Wendy’s)</em>
Wendy’s, Dave’s 3/4 lb. Triple w/ Cheese. Calories 1080, Fat 67 g (Saturated Fat 29 g and Trans Fat 4 g), Sodium 1880 mg, Carbohydrates 35 g, Sugar 7 g (Photo: Wendy’s)

What it is: Three-quarters of a pound of beef, premium toppings (pickles, onions, lettuce, tomato and cheese) on a toasted bun — ringing in at a hefty 67 grams of fat.

Calories: 1,080
Fat: 67 g (Saturated Fat 29 g and Trans Fat 4 g)
Sodium: 1,880 mg
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Sugar: 7 g
— Source: Wendy’s Canada

Runner-up: Baconator (960 calories, 57 g of fat/23 g saturated fat)

Try this instead: Wendy’s Jr. Hamburger Deluxe

wendys jr hamburger
Wendy’s Jr. hamburger deluxe. Calories: 310, Fat: 14 g (Saturated Fat 4.5 g and 0.5 g Trans Fat) Sodium 640 mg, Carbohydrates 29 g, Sugar 7 g (Photo: Wendy’s)

Calories: 310
Fat: 14 g (Saturated Fat 4.5 g and 0.5 g Trans Fat)
Sodium: 640 mg
Carbohydrates: 29 g
Sugar: 7 g

1. BURGER KING TRIPLE WHOPPER WITH CHEESE

Burger King, Triple Whopper with Cheese. Nutritional info: Calories 1,240, Fat 83 g (Saturated Fat 32 g and Trans Fat 3 g), Sodium 1,470 mg, Carbohydrates 49 g, Sugar 11 g <em>(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)</em>
Burger King, Triple Whopper with Cheese. Nutritional info: Calories 1,240, Fat 83 g (Saturated Fat 32 g and Trans Fat 3 g), Sodium 1,470 mg, Carbohydrates 49 g, Sugar 11 g (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

What it is: The Whopper is a BK fav — and the triple Whopper with cheese tops our list for the worst fast food burger. It’s stacked with three 1/4 lb. flame-grilled beef patties, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, pickles and white onions on a sesame bun. But at a whopping 1,240 calories and 83 grams of fat (32 grams saturated), it’d likely exceed most Canadians’ recommended daily fat intake. Saturated fat should be limited to no more than 10 per cent of your daily calorie intake.

— Calories: 1,240
— Fat: 83 g (Saturated Fat 32 g and Trans Fat 3 g)
— Sodium: 1,470 mg
— Carbohydrates: 49 g
— Sugar: 11 g
— Source: Burger King Canada

Runners-up: Triple Whopper (1,072 calories, 70 g fat), Double Whopper with Cheese (1000 calories, 65 g fat), Double Whopper (859 calories, 54 g fat)

Try this instead: BK Veggie Burger

BK Veggie burger. Calories: 331 Fat: 8 g (Saturated Fat 4g and 0 g Trans Fat) Sodium: 827 mg Carbohydrates: 51 g, Sugar: 9 g.<em> (Photo: BK.com)</em>
BK Veggie burger. Calories: 331 Fat: 8 g (Saturated Fat 4g and 0 g Trans Fat) Sodium: 827 mg Carbohydrates: 51 g, Sugar: 9 g. (Photo: BK.com)

— Calories: 331
— Fat: 8 g (Saturated Fat 4 g and 0 g Trans Fat)
— Sodium: 827 mg
— Carbohydrates: 51 g
— Sugar: 9 g

… But maybe Canada’s not so bad. One of the unhealthiest fast food chain burgers in the U.S. is Wayback Burgers Triple Triple Burger — 9 Patties, 9 Slices of cheese and topped with lettuce and tomato. This burger contains an astonishing 1,780 calories, 108 grams of fat (42 g saturated), and 700 mg of sodium (now that’s a lot to bite into).

One of the unhealthiest fast food chain burgers in the U.S. is Wayback Burgers Triple Triple Burger; contains 9 Patties, 9 slices of cheese, 1,780 calories, 108 grams of fat (42 g saturated), and 700 mg of sodium. <em>(Photo/Nutrition source: Wayback Burgers)</em>
One of the unhealthiest fast food chain burgers in the U.S. is Wayback Burgers Triple Triple Burger; contains 9 Patties, 9 slices of cheese, 1,780 calories, 108 grams of fat (42 g saturated), and 700 mg of sodium. (Photo/Nutrition source: Wayback Burgers)

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