Calories in McDonalds, Sonic, Wendy's & Burger King Hamburgers

Hamburgers tend to be on the dieter's 'do not eat list'. However, when properly prepared, the ingredients in a hamburger can fit into all the basic food groups of the official Food Pyramid. Here's how:

Protein Food Group : extra-lean ground beef patty

Fruit Food Group : vine-ripened tomato (yes, a tomato is a fruit)

Vegetable Food Group : onion, pickle, lettuce

Grain Food Group : whole grain bun

Dairy Food Group : add one slice of low fat/skim cheese

Creating a low-fat, high fiber, lower calorie hamburger can be ultra easy when working from one's humble kitchen. However, in the mad, mad, mad, mad world of fast food, fat and calorie content fly straight off the roost - and right onto one's hips, legs, ankles and thighs - oh my!

Hamburger Calorie, Nutrition Comparison
Fast Food Restaurant	Smaller Size/Kid's	Large
A & W - Large hamburger based on Papa Burger	420	720
Burger King - Large hamburger based on Burger King Whopper	333	678
Dairy Queen - Small hamburger based on Homestyle; Large hamburger based on DQ Ultimate Burger	350	780
Jack in the Box - Large hamburger based on Jumbo Jack	310	600
McDonalds - Large hamburger based on Quarter Pounder	265	417
Sonic - Small hamburger based on Jr. Burger; Large hamburger based on Sonic Burger, no Mayo	320	540
Wendy's - Large hamburger based on Wendy's Single	290	464

That doesn't mean that a dieter can't enjoy a hamburger via fast food dining. As long as the calorie content is known beforehand, it can be wedged in nicely within most diet plans.

Our chart to the right depicts the calorie content of hamburgers found in the most tasty of fast-food haunts.

Fast Food Hamburger Tips for Dieters

Lycopene. You've probably heard it mentioned recently on the television, in commercials, in print and in the news. This powerful antioxidant is abundant in ketchup. Therefore, add generously to hamburger in place of Mayo.

Or - use a shot of golden sunshine instead. It's so low in calories that if you were driving through Mustard Town, you'd probably miss the calorie content.

Ordering a kid-sized or a small hamburger can save hundreds of calories.

To learn more about lycopene at Diet Bites, click here.

To view our comparison on fast food french fries, click below:

French Fry Comparison - Fast food french fry calorie comparison. continue

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This original Diet Bites' article contains the following:

Calories in McDonald's Hamburger

Calories in Dairy Queen's Hamburger

Calories in Wendy's Hamburger

Calories in Jack in the Box Hamburger

Calories in A & W Hamburger

Calories in Sonic Hamburger

Calories in Burger King's Hamburger

Fast Food Hamburger Calories

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