Let's face it—there aren't many things on this earth more satisfying than a hot, juicy burger from your favorite fast-food joint. Sometimes, you just need to give in to those cravings, whether it's a classic hamburger, a cheeseburger, or one loaded with bacon. Yet, if you're in the unique position of seeking out a fast-food burger that leans towards the healthier side, you'll want to know where to turn.
While it's a stretch to label any fast-food burger as "healthy," there are choices that are lighter on calories, fat, and sodium. In general, experts advise that you limit your fast-food consumption due to its association with health risks like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and more.
However, there are times when you need to grab a fast-food meal because it's what is quickest, cheapest, and most convenient—or simply because you're craving it. In these cases, you might be on the lookout for options that won't completely derail your health goals. That's where learning about some of the healthiest fast-food burgers comes in handy.
To compile this list, we talked with a handful of expert dietitians to get their choices on better-for-you burger options. "You'll notice a trend on the list that isn't surprising—single burgers without all the fixings, cheese, extra meat, etc. because these are best when it comes to keeping calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium in check," say Tammy Lakatos Shames, RDN, CDN, CFT, and Lyssie Lakatos, RDN, CDN, CFT, also known as The Nutrition Twins.
Ready to see which menu items made the list of healthiest fast-food burgers? Read on, and then learn about some fast-food burgers to skip by reading 10 Fast-Food Burgers with Over 1,000 Calories.