The Healthiest Fast-Food Burger in America, Revealed by a Doctor—Plus the Top 10 List

The Healthiest Burger Choices in America

May is National Burger Month, and it’s the perfect time to celebrate your favorite fast food meal while keeping an eye on your health. While burgers may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about healthy eating, some options are definitely better than others. Hims has partnered with Dr. Craig Primack, a physician specializing in obesity medicine and SVP of Weight Loss at Hims, to determine the healthiest fast food burgers in the country. By analyzing key nutritional metrics, they’ve ranked the top 10 healthiest and unhealthiest burgers based on factors like calories, protein, trans fat, saturated fat, net carbs, and sugar.

Key Nutritional Metrics Considered

To evaluate the healthiness of each burger, Hims looked at six critical categories:

• Calories: Consuming excess calories can lead to weight gain and increase the risk of conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression.
• Protein: Protein helps keep you full longer, supports lean muscle mass, and boosts metabolism.
• Trans Fat: Linked to heart disease and fertility issues, trans fats should be avoided as much as possible.
• Saturated Fat: High intake of saturated fat can contribute to cognitive decline and lower sperm counts.
• Net Carbs: This metric accounts for fiber content and helps prevent rapid blood sugar spikes.
• Sugar: Excess sugar consumption increases the risk of cardiometabolic diseases and dental problems.

Top 10 Healthiest Fast Food Burgers

Shake Shack dominates the list with three of the top four healthiest burgers. These options also had the lowest net carb content. Some double and bacon burgers rank well due to their high protein and low sugar and carb content. Here are the top 10 healthiest burgers according to Hims:

1. Freddy's Double Steakburger (Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers)
2. SmokeShack (Shake Shack)
3. Avocado Bacon Burger (Shake Shack)
4. ShackBurger (Shake Shack)
5. Double SONIC Smasher (SONIC Drive-In)
6. Freddy's Original Bacon and Cheese Double (Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers)
7. Double-Double (In-N-Out Burger)
8. ButterBurger (Culver's), McDouble (McDonald's), and Triple SONIC Smasher (SONIC Drive-In)—TIED

These burgers were evaluated based on their overall nutritional value, making them great choices for those looking to maintain a balanced diet while still enjoying a burger.

Fast Food Burger Trends Revealed

Some burgers have higher protein content, which can help meet daily nutrition goals. However, these burgers often come with higher calorie counts. For example, the Bacon King from Burger King has the highest protein content at 107.4 grams, but it also has the most calories at 1,710. On the other hand, the Hamburger from In-N-Out Burger has the least protein at 16 grams and the fewest calories at 360.

When it comes to trans fat, five burgers have none at all, including the Cheeseburger from In-N-Out Burger and the Double-Double from In-N-Out Burger. Meanwhile, the Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger from Carl's Jr. has the highest net carbs at 74 grams.

How to Make Your Burger Meal Healthier

If you’re looking to make your burger meal as healthy as possible, consider these tips:

• Make your calories count: Choose more nutritious ingredients to meet your personal calorie targets. A double burger with more protein is a better choice than fries and a single burger.
• Opt for a healthier side: Replace fries with a salad or fruit slices to reduce fat, oil, and salt intake.
• Grab a low-calorie drink: Water is the healthiest option, but unsweetened iced tea or sparkling water can also be good alternatives.

By making small changes to your order, you can enjoy your favorite burger while still staying on track with your health goals.