We all know fast food isn’t great for you. It’s bad, like really bad, but ignoring that fact is too easy. It gets even spookier once you decide to really look under the hood. Supplement brand Ben’s Natural Health put together a report detailing just how bad some of it is, in this case showing what it does to your blood sugar.
Analyzing glycemic index, carbs, calories, and glycemic load, Ben’s was able to put together an estimated spike in glucose, or in other words, your blood sugar. As the immortal R.L. Stine would say, reader beware. You’re in for a scare.
1. Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll
Glycemic Index: 75
Carbs: 127
Calories: 340
Glycemic Load: 95.25
Estimated Spike: 238.125
Can’t say this comes as a surprise. Cinnabon is just about the most decadent chain restaurant on the planet, and there’s a reason those things taste like heaven on Earth. I love a Cinnabon dearly, but I’d be lying if I said I was brave enough to eat more than one every several years.
2. McDonald’s French Fries (Medium)
Glycemic Index: 75
Carbs: 63
Calories: 440
Glycemic Load: 47.25
Estimated Spike: 118.125
Many people say these are the best fast-food fries you can eat. Those people aren’t me, for the record. There’s something to that though, and it’s probably because while you’re eating them, they’re also spiking your glucose up, up, and out of here.
3. Chick-fil-A Waffle Fries (Medium)
Glycemic Index: 75
Carbs: 60
Calories: 550
Glycemic Load: 45
Estimated Spike: 112.5
If you ask me, you’re better off leaving waffle fries behind. Yeah, I said it. They’re never crispy and they don’t dunk too well. Oh yeah, and the glucose thing.
4. Taco Bell Nacho Fries (Medium)
Glycemic Index: 75
Carbs: 58
Calories: 660
Glycemic Load: 43.5
Estimated Spike: 108.75
You’re here for a lot of things at Taco Bell, but there’s no way that french fries are one of them. This shouldn’t be hard to quit.
5. Arby’s Curly Fries (Medium)
Glycemic Index: 75
Carbs: 54
Calories: 270
Glycemic Load: 40.5
Estimated Spike: 101.25
Arby’s curly boys are some of the best fast-food fries in the game, but they’re seasoned. That makes ‘em delicious, but it also makes ‘em deadly.
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6. Taco Bell Stuffed Tortilla Wrap
Glycemic Index: 60
Carbs: 66
Calories: 520
Glycemic Load: 39.6
Estimated Spike: 99
This report must be dodging proper menu item names for legal reasons, but when it comes to a Mexican restaurant where the vast majority of the menu is just a bunch of things stuffed into and wrapped up in a tortilla, it’s hard to tell exactly what Ben’s Natural Health is going for. I’m guessing this is a Crunchwrap Supreme.
7. Dairy Queen Blended Ice Cream with Cookies (Small)
Glycemic Index: 62
Carbs: 58
Calories: 670
Glycemic Load: 35.96
Estimated Spike: 89.9
Here’s another poorly codenamed menu item, this one an obvious reference to Dairy Queen’s Blizzard. Why aren’t they saying the names? Should I not be saying the names? Is Dairy Queen gonna come for me now?
8. Wendy’s Chocolate Frozen Dessert (Small)
Glycemic Index: 60
Carbs: 51
Calories: 700
Glycemic Load: 30.6
Estimated Spike: 76.5
Third awkward alias in a row. Hat trick! This is a Frosty, clearly. Though I’m not glad it’s on the list, I’m glad they’re this low, because I love them dearly.
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9. McDonald’s Double Cheeseburger
Glycemic Index: 66
Carbs: 45
Calories: 350
Glycemic Load: 29.7
Estimated Spike: 74.25
It’s pretty wild to think that burgers aren’t even in the top seven least healthy things you can order at a burger restaurant. Maybe you should just get two burgers instead of a burger and fries next time.
10. Popeyes Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Glycemic Index: 66
Carbs: 45
Calories: 420
Glycemic Load: 29.7
Estimated Spike: 74.25
I’m sad to see my dear, precious Popeyes end up on this list, but that’s how it goes in the fast-food world. Pop’s spicy chicken sandwich has basically the same stats as a double cheeseburger from McDonald’s, save for the higher calorie count.
