You can have your burger and eat it too, because there’s more to Burger King than greasy Whoppers and salty French fries. I never thought that the phrase “healthy Burger King” existed, but you’ll be happy to know that you can, in fact, find healthier options at this chain.
By healthy, I’m talking about fewer calories and a lower fat content. Although eating a Whopper is not terrible every once in a while, it’s not the healthiest option to be eating on a regular basis. A Whopper can be 500 to 740 calories, and a Double Whopper 740 to 980 calories, depending on the condiments that are added such as mayo, ketchup, cheese, lettuce, tomato etc.
If you were to make your Whopper a meal and add French fries and a drink, that adds another 380 calories for a medium fry and another 200+ for a drink. This means that by consuming a Whopper with French fries and a drink you will have consumed well over 1000 calories, which is almost half of the recommended daily caloric intake (not to mention it’ll make your stomach upset). If you’re going to frequent Burger King, try making these healthier menu items a part of your menu.
#SpoonTip: All the caloric information for these eats can be found in the Burger King nutrition guide.
Classic Hamburger
We know how much you love your Whopper and your Bacon King Sandwiches, but how about a classic hamburger? Instead of a Whopper, you can enjoy a juicy burger with a little over 200 calories. Feel free to make it a cheeseburger with only 50 more calories, and if you’re really feeling emotional add French fries and a drink and you will be well under 1000 calories. When ordering burgers and sandwiches be careful not to add too many condiments, as this can raise the calorie count quite a bit.
Hot Dog
It may seem a bit strange ordering a hot dog from a burger joint, but don’t knock it ’til you try it, right? A classic grilled dog from Burger King is a little over 300 calories, and if you want some extra protein, you can make it a chili cheese dog.
Chicken Sandwich
For a burger place, Burger King actually has some pretty good protein alternatives, like the Grilled Chicken Sandwich. Without mayo, the chicken sandwich is less than 400 calories, and even the crispy chicken sandwich is less than 500 calories without mayo. Add some apple slices or a side salad to round out the meal.
Chicken Nuggets
Who doesn’t love some chicken nuggets? You can get a six-piece chicken nugget from Burger King for less than 300 calories and hey, why not make it 10 pieces and share with a friend for less than 450 calories. Want more chicken? The jalapeño chicken fries are only 300 calories and pack a spicy punch.
Veggie Burger
That’s right, vegetarians, now you can eat something at a fast food restaurant that isn’t a salad! The BK Veggie Burger is less than 400 calories. Having never ordered one, I can’t promise that it tastes great, but it’s worth a shot if you want a substantial meal.
Salad
You probably saw this one coming. If you’re really trying to be healthy, then a salad is one of the healthiest options. A garden salad with grilled chicken is 340 calories without dressing and the Bacon Cheddar Ranch Chicken salad is 620 calories with dressing.
If you want to round out your meal, but are trying to keep the calorie count, low I recommend avoiding over-salted French fries and sugary sodas. Try a side salad and stick to unsweetened tea or water as a drink.
#SpoonTip: Need more BK inspo? Check out these 13 ways to hack the BK menu.
As it turns out, not all Burger King items are terrible for you. Keep in mind that you can’t gauge how healthy a menu item is based on calories alone, but at fast food burger joints it’s a good place to start. Cheers to your next BK run!