10 Unhealthiest Hen Sandwiches at Main Restaurant Chains
Hen sandwiches are a well-liked order at many eating places. This hand-held sandwich is normally juicy, moist, and stuffed with taste because of decadent toppings and fluffy buns. Sadly, it is an order that may rapidly flip right into a diet nightmare, beginning with which kind of rooster it is made with.
Whether or not a chunk of rooster is grilled or fried performs an enormous position in how unhealthy a rooster sandwich could be. “If the rooster is coated in breading (akin to a flour combination or bread crumbs), or is dipped in egg-milk batter or a cheese-based batter, this will add tons of fats and energy,” says Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDNa registered dietitian nutritionist in Miami, Florida. The cooking course of is one other ingredient to think about: is the rooster deep-fried or grilled? Deep-fried rooster is loaded with fats, notes Ehsani.
The bun and different toppings additionally contribute to the healthfulness (or lack thereof) of a rooster sandwich at restaurant chains. “If utilizing white bread or ciabatta bread, or one other sugar-packed bread like challah or brioche, not solely can they be excessive in carbs and fats, you might be additionally lacking out on fiber,” Ehsani explains. “If you’re including a number of cheese, mayo, mayo-based sauces or condiments akin to a chipotle aioli sauce, bacon, breakfast sausage or meats to the sandwich, it can lead to an unhealthy sandwich,” she provides.
Nonetheless, a rooster sandwich can undoubtedly be made wholesome and right into a nutrient-dense meal if it is made with lean cuts of rooster, akin to rooster breast, and if it is grilled (not breaded and deep-fried), explains Ehsani. Apart from the rooster itself, you may make wholesome swaps for what you fill and high it with. “Add wholesome fill-ins akin to loads of veggies (add loads of lettuce, greens, cucumbers, veggies of your alternative), and restrict high-fat condiments and cheese,” says Ehsani. “Use avocado, mustard, or hummus as a substitute of mayo-based sauce so as to add taste to your sandwich.” You too can select a more healthy bun. “Entire wheat bread has extra fiber and nutritional vitamins than white bread,” says Ehsani.
The subsequent time you are eating out at your favourite restaurant chain, beware of those unhealthy rooster sandwich choices which might be loaded with energy, fats, and sodium—oftentimes extra of every of those vitamins than it’s best to eat in a complete day—in line with a dietitian. Learn on, and for extra, do not miss The #1 Unhealthiest Burger at 13 Main Restaurant Chains.
Applebee’s Clubhouse Grill
Per sandwich: 1,450 energy, 80 g fats (21 g saturated fats), 3,670 mg sodium, 128 g carbs (9 g fiber, 21 g sugar), 56 g protein
Although this sandwich is grilled, it is nonetheless tremendous unhealthy and filled with fats. “Applebee’s Clubhouse Grill sandwich packs virtually 75% of your energy for the day in a single meal. You may not assume a clubhouse sandwich would pack so many energy, but it surely is also sky excessive in fats, packing 80 grams of fats, and exceeds your day by day restrict for sodium, hitting 3,670 milligrams of sodium simply in a single meal, whereas your day by day consumption must be not more than 2,300 milligrams per day,” says Ehsani. “It is made utilizing toasted potato bread, which is not a complete grain, missing crucial fiber. It additionally has cheddar and Swiss cheese, bacon, mayo, and honey BBQ sauce, all of that are excessive in fats, salt, and complete energy.”
BJ’s Brewhouse Kickin’ Hen Sandwich with Fries
Per sandwich: 1,350 energy, 73 g fats (18 g saturated fats), 4,176 mg sodium, 125 g carbs (10 g fiber, 27 g sugar), 48 g protein
Taking the prize for the highest-sodium rooster sandwich dish on our record is BJ’s Brewhouse Kickin’ Hen Sandwich. Granted, the dietary info consists of the aspect of fries that comes with it, however everyone knows that the majority of us are going to gobble up that whole meal. The overall sodium ranges—4,176 milligrams—is simply shy of 200% of your day by day really useful restrict or the equal of 170 Rold Gold pretzels.
“BJ’s Kickin’ Hen Sandwich is made with crispy fried rooster, which signifies the rooster has been breaded and deep fried and in addition bumps up the overall energy, fats, saturated fats, and sodium on this sandwich,” says Ehsani. “Additionally they add chipotle mayo to the sandwich and serve further aioli sauce on the aspect, each of that are excessive in unhealthy fats. Lastly, the sandwich is between a toasted Parker home bun, that are bread rolls made with butter, milk, and egg yolks, which is one more reason this sandwich is so excessive in energy and fats.”
The Cheesecake Manufacturing unit Spicy Crispy Hen Sandwich with Chipotle Mayo
Per sandwich: 1,170 energy, 74 g fats (24 g saturated fats), 1,600 mg sodium, 62 g carbs (2 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 60 g protein
This spicy rooster sandwich is fried and topped with high-fat chipotle mayo. “One benefit of Cheesecake Manufacturing unit is that they clearly record their dietary stats on their menu, so you may make an knowledgeable resolution, however within the likelihood you skim studying it, you seemingly ought to keep away from this sandwich. The Spicy Crispy Hen Sandwich packs over a day’s price of energy in a single ‘wich,” says Ehsani. “The rationale it is crispy is as a result of the rooster is probably going breaded and deep fried, which does not make for a heart-healthy sandwich, and is served on a brioche bun, which is especially composed of a number of butter.”
Purple Robin Buzzin’ Hen Sandwich
Per sandwich: 940 energy, 61 g fats (14 g saturated fats), 2,340 mg sodium, 67 g carbs (4 g fiber, 10 g sugar), 35 g protein
This fried rooster sandwich is topped with contemporary jalapeño slices, lettuce, tomato, and a high-fat chipotle aioli that is served on a sesame seed bun—the mix of which makes for a high-sodium, high-fat rooster sandwich.
“This crispy sandwich is breaded and deep fried, then dipped into ‘buzz sauce’ which ends up in a sandwich that exceeds your day by day restrict for sodium multi functional sandwich!” says Ehsani. “Additionally they add chipotle aioli sauce which is mayo-based sauce, excessive in unhealthy fats.”
TGI FRIDAYS™ Signature Whiskey-Glazed Hen Sandwich
Per sandwich: 1,160 energy, 56 g fats (17 g saturated fats), 3,140 mg sodium, 107 g carbs (5 g fiber, 64 g sugar), 57 g protein
Though this rooster sandwich is grilled, it’s loaded with practically as a lot sugar as two servings of Ben & Jerry’s Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream.
“This sandwich is kind of excessive in sugar, packing 64 grams of sugar in only one sandwich, which is greater than some desserts. That is seemingly because of the whiskey-glaze used on the rooster and whiskey-glaze mayo,” says Ehsani. “Surprisingly this rooster sandwich is definitely grilled, however nonetheless finally ends up being very excessive in complete energy, fats, sodium, and sugar! All because of the fill-ins, sauces, bacon, mayos, and cheese added.”
Chili’s Bacon Avocado Hen Sandwich
Per sandwich: 1,150 energy, 62 g fats (15 g saturated fats), 2230 mg sodium, 75 g carbs (8 g fiber, 15 g sugar), 78 g protein
Though Chili’s Bacon Avocado Hen Sandwich is made with a chunk of grilled rooster, it turns into one of many unhealthiest restaurant chain rooster sandwiches because of fat-filled toppings.
“The Bacon Avocado Hen Sandwich is a grilled rooster sandwich, but it surely has loads of fill-ins that make it not so wholesome. It is sandwiched between a toasted buttery roll, which provides loads of fats energy, together with mayo, bacon and cheese, which enhance its complete fats energy,” says Ehsani. “In a single sandwich it hits practically a day’s price of sodium, hitting 2,230 milligrams, whereas your day by day complete mustn’t exceed 2,300 milligrams.”
Buffalo Wild Wings Southern Hen Sandwich
Per sandwich: 870 energy, 53 g fats (17 g saturated fats), 1,560 mg sodium, 62 g carbs (3 g fiber, 11 g sugar), 38 g protein
This fried rooster sandwich is served on a candy challah bun, which ups the sugar content material to larger ranges than you’d anticipate in a fried rooster sandwich.
“The Southern Hen Sandwich at BWW, is a breaded and fried rooster sandwich on a challah bun,” says Ehsani. “It’s served with bacon aioli, which is mayo-based sauce and cheese, all of which ends up in a sandwich excessive in complete energy, fats, saturated fats, and sodium. It is the best calorie sandwich on their menu, so select a special possibility for a decrease calorie possibility.”
Panera Chipotle Hen, Scrambled Egg & Avocado on Artisan Ciabatta
Per sandwich: 550 energy, 31 g fats (12 g saturated fats), 910 mg sodium, 44 g carbs (4 g fiber, g sugar), 27 g protein
This rooster sandwich, whereas nowhere close to the worst on this record, continues to be excessive in sodium and saturated fats. “The Panera Chipotle Hen, Scrambled Egg & Avocado, though not as excessive in energy or fats as many different fast-casual locations, is kind of excessive in sodium,” says Ehsani. “It packs 910 milligrams of sodium in a single sandwich. It additionally practically hits your day by day restrict for saturated fats in a single sandwich.”
For higher decisions on the fast-casual chain, take a look at The 8 Healthiest Orders at Panera, In keeping with a Dietitian.
Hooters Unique Hen Tender Soften Sandwich
Per sandwich: 1,020 energy, 50 g fats (21 g saturated fats), 2,250 mg sodium, 64 g carbs (3 g fiber, 5 g sugar), 80 g protein
This sandwich is fried rooster tenders sandwiched between two thick slices of Texas Toast and is loaded with sodium.
“The Unique Hen Tender Soften sandwich packs half your complete energy for the day in a single sandwich,” says Ehsani. “It additionally packs practically a day’s price of sodium in a single sandwich. It is best to construct your individual rooster sandwich, which is an possibility at Hooters.”
Bob Evans Farmhouse Hand-Breaded Fried Hen Sandwich
Per sandwich: 820 energy, 152 g fats (32 g saturated fats), 2,080 mg sodium, 66 g carbs (3 g fiber, 11 g sugar), 53 g protein
This rooster sandwich from Bob Evans has the best fats content material of any sandwich on this record at 152 grams, which is simply shy of 200% of your day by day really useful restrict. It will be the equal of consuming the identical quantity of fats as what’s in a stick and a half of butter.
“This sandwich is served on a toasted brioche bun, which is usually created from eggs and butter, and buttered and toasted on high of that, leading to a excessive calorie (rooster sandwich),” says Ehsani. “You do have the choice to decide on a fried rooster sandwich or grilled rooster breast, the fried rooster (290 energy only for the rooster) is sort of double the energy of the grilled rooster (140 energy).”
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