These are the healthiest fast food burgers you can get at your favorite restaurants

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By VT

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As our taste for what kind of food we want fast changes, so too does the fast food industry. Even though we seek out a quick burrito bowl or some self-service sushi, there will always be a little part of you that wants your fast food to be some sort of salty, greasy goodness. It's 2018 though - why can't you have the best of both worlds? We are here to tell you: maybe you can. Check out this life-saving list of the healthiest fast food burgers out there.

1. White Castle Sliders

These mini-sized square patties are pretty iconic and known around the world. Each lil' burger can't have that many calories, right? Well, technically that is correct, but take caution, my friends. Each slider has 140 calories, six grams of fat, and only 13 carbs. So why isn't it higher on the list? Well, ask yourself this question - can you really have just one slider? While one or two of these aren't bad on their own, it'll probably take a bunch to fill you up. However, if you're great at portion control, I say go for it!

2. Five Guys' Little Hamburger

If you want a burger with the works from Five Guys, I'd suggest the "Little Hamburger" or "Little Cheeseburger." A standard hamburger from Five Guys comes with a bun and two patties, so the "Little" versions cut down on calories straight away by offering half of the beef. For this pint-sized version of the standard fare, you'll only be set back 480 calories and 380 milligrams of sodium. You can add all the toppings you want, but there's no doubt adding veggies will amp up your fiber intake with this meal. Still not the healthiest option, but you can definitely improve on it by asking for a lettuce bun.

3. Shake Shack Single Shack Burger 

Shake Shack is usually pretty open about the top-notch quality about its beef, and boasts an impressive 28 grams of protein. That's all well and good, but the 824 milligrams of sodium are more than likely to send you scrambling for a shake. And is a burger really any healthier if it practically forces you to get dessert?

4. In-N-Out Hamburger

For those of you who truly believe that the West Coast is the best coast, this entry is right up your alley. In-N-Out burgers are a cult classic, and a special treat you should certainly enjoy. If you opt for the classic hamburger with just ketchup and mustard (instead of onion spread), your burger only sits at a hair over 300 calories. You can even get your burger "protein style" (aka in a lettuce wrap) to save calories. But let's be real, who's gonna settle for a plain burger, when you can get a Double Double, animal style?

5. Burger King Veggie Burger

Burger King offers a veggie burger that's pretty middle of the road when it comes to health, but it's still a pretty good option. You get some pretty good fixings with this pick: onions, mayo, tomato, lettuce, and that's all in addition to the seasoned veggie patty. If you can part with the mayo, this burger will only cost you 320 calories. The only caveat is the high amount of sodium, but I still think it's great that there are semi-healthy veggie-friendly options.

[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BXgqN9ul0CU/?tagged=burgerkingveggieburger]]

6. Burger King Whopper Jr

At first sight, this sandwich definitely doesn't seem "junior." It's got all the works you could need: fiber-filled veggies, multiple sauces, and a sesame seed bun. The whole sandwich is only 310 calories, and keeps itself under 400 milligrams of sodium. Sure, it's no salad or plate of zucchini noodles, but you can definitely "have it your way" with this menu item.

[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BckvPmVgg17/?tagged=whopperjr]]

7. Wendy's Jr Cheeseburger

This sandwich is a pretty good bet when looking overall at the healthiest fast food burgers. The "Jr." in the name doesn't mean that the burger is by any means small or devoid of flavor. If you go with this sensible choice, you're only having 280 calories, the lowest calorie option on the list so far. Plus, you get 16 grams of protein - bang for your buck.

8. Burger King hamburger

This sandwich is definitely one of the healthiest fast food burgers based on calorie count alone. If you go for the most basic menu option at this fast food joint, your sandwich will only be 220 calories. I wish every fast food option could have this low of a calorie count. This is a pretty solid choice if you're a health nut who needs a quick meal.

9. McDonald's hamburger

It was only a matter of time before Mickey D's found its way onto this list. The chain has had one hell of a bad rap over the past few years for its dangerously unhealthy fare, but tbh, the classic hamburger is pretty tame. Sure, this burger may have 30 more calories than the same menu option from Burger King, but it has a whole two more grams of protein to sweeten the deal. If you pair it with the apple slices or your own healthy sides, the McDonald's hamburger doesn't seem that unhealthy.

[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BbscdAtnR7f/?tagged=mcdonaldshamburger]]

In all honesty, for your health, you shouldn't really be chomping down on fast food burgers too often, no matter how you slice it. Saying that, I'm all for an occasional allowance now and then. This list may prove some burgers are better than others but your stomach and future self would probably be happier if you steered clear.

These are the healthiest fast food burgers you can get at your favorite restaurants

vt-author-image

By VT

Article saved!Article saved!

As our taste for what kind of food we want fast changes, so too does the fast food industry. Even though we seek out a quick burrito bowl or some self-service sushi, there will always be a little part of you that wants your fast food to be some sort of salty, greasy goodness. It's 2018 though - why can't you have the best of both worlds? We are here to tell you: maybe you can. Check out this life-saving list of the healthiest fast food burgers out there.

1. White Castle Sliders

These mini-sized square patties are pretty iconic and known around the world. Each lil' burger can't have that many calories, right? Well, technically that is correct, but take caution, my friends. Each slider has 140 calories, six grams of fat, and only 13 carbs. So why isn't it higher on the list? Well, ask yourself this question - can you really have just one slider? While one or two of these aren't bad on their own, it'll probably take a bunch to fill you up. However, if you're great at portion control, I say go for it!

2. Five Guys' Little Hamburger

If you want a burger with the works from Five Guys, I'd suggest the "Little Hamburger" or "Little Cheeseburger." A standard hamburger from Five Guys comes with a bun and two patties, so the "Little" versions cut down on calories straight away by offering half of the beef. For this pint-sized version of the standard fare, you'll only be set back 480 calories and 380 milligrams of sodium. You can add all the toppings you want, but there's no doubt adding veggies will amp up your fiber intake with this meal. Still not the healthiest option, but you can definitely improve on it by asking for a lettuce bun.

3. Shake Shack Single Shack Burger 

Shake Shack is usually pretty open about the top-notch quality about its beef, and boasts an impressive 28 grams of protein. That's all well and good, but the 824 milligrams of sodium are more than likely to send you scrambling for a shake. And is a burger really any healthier if it practically forces you to get dessert?

4. In-N-Out Hamburger

For those of you who truly believe that the West Coast is the best coast, this entry is right up your alley. In-N-Out burgers are a cult classic, and a special treat you should certainly enjoy. If you opt for the classic hamburger with just ketchup and mustard (instead of onion spread), your burger only sits at a hair over 300 calories. You can even get your burger "protein style" (aka in a lettuce wrap) to save calories. But let's be real, who's gonna settle for a plain burger, when you can get a Double Double, animal style?

5. Burger King Veggie Burger

Burger King offers a veggie burger that's pretty middle of the road when it comes to health, but it's still a pretty good option. You get some pretty good fixings with this pick: onions, mayo, tomato, lettuce, and that's all in addition to the seasoned veggie patty. If you can part with the mayo, this burger will only cost you 320 calories. The only caveat is the high amount of sodium, but I still think it's great that there are semi-healthy veggie-friendly options.

[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BXgqN9ul0CU/?tagged=burgerkingveggieburger]]

6. Burger King Whopper Jr

At first sight, this sandwich definitely doesn't seem "junior." It's got all the works you could need: fiber-filled veggies, multiple sauces, and a sesame seed bun. The whole sandwich is only 310 calories, and keeps itself under 400 milligrams of sodium. Sure, it's no salad or plate of zucchini noodles, but you can definitely "have it your way" with this menu item.

[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BckvPmVgg17/?tagged=whopperjr]]

7. Wendy's Jr Cheeseburger

This sandwich is a pretty good bet when looking overall at the healthiest fast food burgers. The "Jr." in the name doesn't mean that the burger is by any means small or devoid of flavor. If you go with this sensible choice, you're only having 280 calories, the lowest calorie option on the list so far. Plus, you get 16 grams of protein - bang for your buck.

8. Burger King hamburger

This sandwich is definitely one of the healthiest fast food burgers based on calorie count alone. If you go for the most basic menu option at this fast food joint, your sandwich will only be 220 calories. I wish every fast food option could have this low of a calorie count. This is a pretty solid choice if you're a health nut who needs a quick meal.

9. McDonald's hamburger

It was only a matter of time before Mickey D's found its way onto this list. The chain has had one hell of a bad rap over the past few years for its dangerously unhealthy fare, but tbh, the classic hamburger is pretty tame. Sure, this burger may have 30 more calories than the same menu option from Burger King, but it has a whole two more grams of protein to sweeten the deal. If you pair it with the apple slices or your own healthy sides, the McDonald's hamburger doesn't seem that unhealthy.

[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BbscdAtnR7f/?tagged=mcdonaldshamburger]]

In all honesty, for your health, you shouldn't really be chomping down on fast food burgers too often, no matter how you slice it. Saying that, I'm all for an occasional allowance now and then. This list may prove some burgers are better than others but your stomach and future self would probably be happier if you steered clear.