Top 5 Fast Food Burgers for Your Health, Says New Study

As President Donald Trump settles into his second term in the White House, his love of burgers is well known.

In Texas, a Trump-themed restaurant inspired by the president’s craving for burgers opened on Election Day. And a post-election photo of Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. enjoying a McDonald’s meal went viral on social media.

Will these favorite meals be embraced as part of the Make America Healthy Again mission?

The Delish Food website recently highlighted some of its picks for the healthiest burger options in America.

To determine the “healthiest,” Delish looked at the nutritional facts, including calories, carbs, fat and sodium levels, of different burgers from more than 15 different menus.

“Burgers are not necessarily unhealthy,” Laura Manaker, a South Carolina-based dietitian and nutritionist who helped compile Fox News’ Delish rankings, told Fox Digital.

“Burgers can really be part of a balanced diet as they are a good source of protein and iron, which are essential nutrients for the body. The key lies in portion control and being mindful of what you’re eating with it. “

In descending order, here’s how Delish ranked the burgers.

5. Whataburger Jr.

Texas-based fast-food restaurant chain Whataburger had the fifth-healthiest burger with its Whataburger Jr. product.

Whataburger Jr. it has 310 calories, 36 grams of carbs and just three grams of saturated fat — the lowest of any burger reviewed by Delish.

A Whataburger Jr. it comes with tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, green onions and mustard, according to Whataburger’s website.

Whataburger Jr.’s sodium level, however, was second highest at 750 milligrams.

4. In-N-Out Hamburgers

A hamburger at In-N-Out doesn’t compare that bad, Delish said.

“The classic hamburger has 16 grams of protein, only 360 calories, 37 grams of carbs, 4.5 grams of saturated fat and 660 mg of sodium, which for us, gives it a slight edge over the Whataburger Jr.,” according to Delish.

The In-N-Out hamburger comes standard with onions, “The Spread,” tomato, and lettuce—though as any NN-Out lover knows, there’s a lot more to the menu than what’s officially shown at the restaurant.

At In-N-Out, the California-based chain’s “secret” menu includes the option to do everything “protein style”—swapping the bun for a lettuce wrap.

Doing so cuts the burger at N-Out down to just 200 calories, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, 390 grams of sodium and eight grams of carbohydrates, Delish said.

3. McDonald’s classic hamburger

The classic hamburger at McDonald’s is a strong fast food option, Delish said.

“The classic golden (but still delicious) fastfed joint’s bare bones have 13 grams of protein, 250 calories, 30 carbs, only 3.5 grams of saturated fat and 510 mg of sodium,” Delish said.

A classic McDonald’s burger comes with “a mild pickle, chopped onion, ketchup and mustard,” according to the Illinois-based chain’s website.

2. Burger King Whopper Jr.

A “slightly smaller” version of Burger King’s flagship Whopper Sandwich, the Whopper Jr. it was praised by Delish for its high protein content, low calories and low sodium.

The Whopper Jr. is topped with “fresh tomatoes, fresh lettuce, mild pickles and crispy onions,” as well as mayo and ketchup.

“This option comes in with slightly more protein than the Micky D (15.2 grams), 310 calories, 27 grams of carbs, and 5 grams of saturated fat. Plus, it has the lowest sodium content on our entire list at 390 mg,” Delish said.

1. Wendy’s Jr. Hamburger.

Wendy’s Jr. Hamburger was crowned Delish’s Healthiest Fast Food Burger, thanks to its “impressively low calorie count” at just 280 calories.

“At 440 mg, the sodium level is still relatively low, and this burger comes in at 15 grams of protein and only 25 grams of carbs,” Delish said.

Jr. The hamburger at Wendy’s comes with pickles, onions, ketchup and mustard, according to the Ohio-based chain’s website.

Tips for a healthier fast food trip

Regardless of the burger, there are some easy trade-offs to make a fast food trip just a little healthier, two food professionals told Fox News Digital.

One is to avoid a double meat patty and consider alternatives like a grilled chicken breast or a burger with stuffing, Michael Garko told Fox News Digital.

Garko is a Florida-based nutritional consultant for Strauss Naturals, a supplement company based in Canada.

“Grilled chicken or french fries are usually lower in saturated fat and calories compared to beef fries,” Garko said.

Also, don’t forget about the impact side dishes can have on a meal, Garko said. French fruit, Garko said, “is high in trans fat, sodium and calories,” while a side salad — with a light dressing — packs vitamins and fiber.

If skipping fries just isn’t an option, Vanessa Rissetto, a registered dietitian and CEO of Culina Health, had another suggestion: Put down the fork.

“If you want to have a burger with fries, my recommendation would be to eliminate the clutch,” Rissetto, based in New York, told Fox News Digital.

“Not only does the bun add carbs and calories, but it also fools the whole flavor.”

Sodas play a role, too, Rissetto said. A person looking for the healthiest takeout at a fast food restaurant should “replace soda or sugar-sweetened beverages with water, unsweetened tea, or sparkling water.”

“Sugar drinks contribute to empty calories and can lead to weight gain and insulin resistance,” she said.