Healthy Fast Food Guide | Hardee’s | Detailed

Overview

This is one of the rare cases where there’s a strong argument that the burger is better than the grilled chicken sandwich. The positives of the chicken sandwich are more protein and less saturated fat. The drawbacks are significantly higher sodium, more cholesterol, and more carbohydrates.

In general, I believe the thickburger pulls away as the healthier option, but it comes down to what your nutritional intake is looking like for the day. If you’ve had a lot of fat and/or lack in protein for the day, choose the grilled chicken. If your cholesterol and sodium intake for the day is high, choose the thickburger.

Adapting your nutrition based on past or future choices already made that day is paramount in deciding what’s best.

Recommendations

Option #1 — Low Carb It.® — Charbroiled Chicken Club Sandwich

1. Lettuce Wrap — this replaces the empty calories from the bun with more a more nutrient-rich, low carb vegetable
2. Double Charbroiled Chicken — charbroiled meat is still better-cooked meat compared to fried chicken. Add an additional chicken patty to this order to increase the protein intake, since we’ll be substituting the thick-cut applewood smoked bacon for the extra chicken. Regardless, this option should be better than any fried option, which is known to be a less healthy alternative than grilled chicken
3. Lettuce — rich in antioxidants, prevents bone loss and improves heart health
4. Tomato — improves heart health, fights cancer, and improves skin health
5. Mayonnaise — mayo seems to get a bad reputation, however, if you request a quarter or half the portion they typically put, you will significantly reduce the calories, which are coming from good fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats). In moderation, there’s nothing wrong with mayonnaise.
6. Remove thick-cut applewood bacon for the additional patty to substitute for a leaner, healthier protein

Option #2 — Low Carb It.® — ¼ lb. Low Carb Little Thickburger

Request two Angus beef patties instead to increase the protein intake to an ideal level (30 grams instead of 15 grams) and request without dill pickles to reduce sodium intake.

This option is not as healthy as the charbroiled chicken option due to higher sodium and That said, the difference isn’t going to make or break the healthfulness of the meal, so feel free to order with beef if you don’t mind the trade-offs. These trade-offs are higher in fat and not as lean of a protein source compared to the chicken club sandwich.

More Useful Tools

Quick Guide — for when you’re on the go and/or need to know what the suggestions are without all the detail

Detailed Notes — consolidated notes for each fast-food establishment