Are you a fastfood fanatic? Americans are die-hard fastfood eaters. According to statistics gathered by Statistics Portal in 2013, there are over 232, 000 fastfood restaurants in the United States with revenue of whooping $160 billion in 2013.
The reported data is expected to blow by $210 billion in 2018. Fastfood industry or 'Quick Service Restaurants' (QSR) has been around for almost a century with its root dated in the 1930s. The industry gave names to worldwide brands McDonalds, Starbucks, Subway, Yum!, Pizza Hut, KFC, Taco Bell and many more.
However, in the recent years the billion-dollar industry has been seen with a diminishing trend of profit margins. As these foods are highly commercialized, the quality of food and effects on the health of Americans has been a major issue.
Most fastfoods are loaded with calories, cholesterol and fats with very less nutrients. The next striking health hazard which most people may not be aware of is its Sodium content.
Based on Food & Drug Administration, the recommended daily requirement for sodium is approximately one teaspoon of salt or about 2,400 milligrams per day. However, Americans consume sodium to about 3,300 milligrams per day which became a high risk for high blood pressure.
Most sodium comes from highly industrialized fastfoods and packaged foods.
So the next time you stop by in any of fastfood drive-thrus, you may want to think twice before ordering your Hamburger and French fries combo.
Here are the top 5 fastfoods guilty about too much Sodiums:
The top on the list comes from KFC's menu, 'Mashed Potato with Gravy Bowl' that contains 2,040 milligrams. Snack-size bowl contains just 790 milligrams of Sodium.
Burger King's five-piece order of 'homestyle chicken strips' contain the most sodium. It has 1,880 milligrams comparing to its three-piece which has 1,130 milligrams. 'Whopper Jr. with cheese' however contains just 580 milligrams.
Wendy's renowned 'Baconator' has 1,850 milligrams of sodium, the saltiest item on its menu. However, their 'Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger' only contains 850 milligrams.
The next on the list comes from 'the most valuable fastfood brand in the world,' McDonalds. Their 'Bacon Clubhouse Crispy Chicken Sandwich' contains 1,720 milligrams however its 'Premium Grilled Chicken Classic' just contains 820 milligrams of Sodium.
The last on the list is 'In-N-Out's' Double Double, containing 1,440 milligrams of sodium whereas, a plain hamburger has only 660 milligrams.