Crazy how many calories are in Fast Foods..

I was just wondering how many calories were in the things I used to eat and decided to share, so this was my normal day before I really got concerned and dedicated to lose weight and get healthy.

Breakfast would be fast food something like Bojangles.
Cheddar Biscuit- 346 cals
Hash Rounds- 230 cals
Pepsi- 230 cals
TOTAL: 806 cals just for breakfast!!!!

Lunch would be fast again since I only had a hour break from work.
Taco Bell usually :/
Steak Quesadilla- 520 cals
Soft Taco- 190 cals
Large Baja Blast-410
Total- a shocking 1120 cals

Dinner was whatever I decided to cook for me and my husband, usually something not to healthy either.

So total all that up and its 1926 cals just for breakfast and lunch! that's not including the chips or candy I munched on at my desk.

No wonder I gained so much weight so quickly. I was going through a hard time and turned to ALL the wrong foods I gained probably 15 lbs in about 3 weeks.....

Just a reminder to be aware about the foods that you're putting in your body, once in a while these foods are okay to eat to treat yourself, just don't make it a habit like I did!
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Replies

  • chelstakencharge
    chelstakencharge Posts: 1,021 Member
    One of the many reasons I gave up fast food years ago!!! So much crap in that stuff, do you really even know what you are eating?
  • cchew686
    cchew686 Posts: 108
    Those steak quesadillas are killer. It's my favorite thing from TB, so I have just quit going there completely or else I would still be eating them. I also quit (mostly) drinking and that solved my problem of Taco Bell "fourth meal." :wink:
  • SugaryLynx
    SugaryLynx Posts: 2,640 Member
    Now when I eat out, I just pick things that work in my day (Big Macs aren't worth it anymore to me but those grilled mcwraps are amazing!!!). It's good to be conscious. I used to eat those big Bell box meals, I bet that was a hefty calorie amount ;P
  • cms0417
    cms0417 Posts: 13
    I've done the same thing! It really shocked me. I couldn't believe how much crap I was eating without even thinking about the consequences. I too was going through a hard time in my life and turned to food as a comfort, but now I'm stronger than ever and feeling great :happy:
  • Jenjenthejetplane1
    Jenjenthejetplane1 Posts: 130 Member
    Those steak quesadillas are killer. It's my favorite thing from TB, so I have just quit going there completely or else I would still be eating them. I also quit (mostly) drinking and that solved my problem of Taco Bell "fourth meal." :wink:

    Yeah Fourth Meal is my weakness haha :( Taco Bell is just so good and now they have breakfast! Ugh resist..resist...resist haha
  • J72FIT
    J72FIT Posts: 6,002 Member
    It adds up fast...
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    One of the many reasons I gave up fast food years ago!!! So much crap in that stuff, do you really even know what you are eating?

    Yes, I know what I'm eating...

    That's why I'm able to fit it into my day if I so desire.
  • SugaryLynx
    SugaryLynx Posts: 2,640 Member
    Those steak quesadillas are killer. It's my favorite thing from TB, so I have just quit going there completely or else I would still be eating them. I also quit (mostly) drinking and that solved my problem of Taco Bell "fourth meal." :wink:

    Yeah Fourth Meal is my weakness haha :( Taco Bell is just so good and now they have breakfast! Ugh resist..resist...resist haha

    Or moderation. ..moderation. ..moderation

    To avoid a binge...binge..binge? :D
  • Chadomaniac
    Chadomaniac Posts: 1,785 Member
    Really sucks when you eating poverty calories on a cut and a big burger and some fries almost equate to a whole days worth of food though . Bulking time is the best , brb super size me :smokin:
  • shazbox1
    shazbox1 Posts: 175 Member
    If you drank water you would be under 1300, not bad.
  • Jlmervin03
    Jlmervin03 Posts: 152 Member
    I was given a coupon to chick fil a for a free chicken sandwich, and I LOVE Chick fil a. I having been debating if I wanted to go or not because I can't have the sandwich without the waffle fries, then if I get the waffle fries I need the Chick fil a sauce and the barbeque sauce. I just don't know if the calories are worth it.
  • Wtn_Gurl
    Wtn_Gurl Posts: 396 Member
    Fast food tastes so good, but you can eat only a little bit and have a lot of calories. I have been trying to select the best food at places like Mcdonalds - the grilled chicken salad is pretty good. Egg McMuffin at mcdonalds is not to bad. I try to find good selections if i can, or just go elsewhere.
  • HaibaneReki
    HaibaneReki Posts: 373 Member
    When I started MFP, on the very first day I logged my breakfast and reached 3/4 of my daily cals :noway: remember the feeling so clearly - "I'm screwed"

    2x 100g sweet fornetti + 500ml chocolate acidophilus milk - I just WTFed loudly in the office :laugh:
  • Cathalain
    Cathalain Posts: 424 Member
    Thanks for this timely reminder of how unhealthy this stuff can be. I was sitting here JUST thinking about a "filet o'fish" sandwich from big bad Mickey D's... and, of course, it's buy one get one free month, blah blah.

    Not happening today, Ronald. Sorry, Cholly. I'll go home and make some salmon. :love:
  • Harrisonsauntie2005
    Harrisonsauntie2005 Posts: 215 Member
    Does add up. I find when I eat out now I make better choices, steak rather than a burger, salad rather than fries.
    Sometimes though nothing hits the spot like dirty cheeseburger and large fries NOM NOM
  • jmv7117
    jmv7117 Posts: 891 Member
    The calories are bad enough but the sodium level is shocking!
  • Jlmervin03
    Jlmervin03 Posts: 152 Member
    Thanks for this timely reminder of how unhealthy this stuff can be. I was sitting here JUST thinking about a "filet o'fish" sandwich from big bad Mickey D's... and, of course, it's buy one get one free month, blah blah.

    haha...I caved in and got one the other day, and had to work out longer than usual.
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    I was just wondering how many calories were in the things I used to eat and decided to share, so this was my normal day before I really got concerned and dedicated to lose weight and get healthy.

    Breakfast would be fast food something like Bojangles.
    Cheddar Biscuit- 346 cals
    Hash Rounds- 230 cals
    Pepsi- 230 cals
    TOTAL: 806 cals just for breakfast!!!!

    Lunch would be fast again since I only had a hour break from work.
    Taco Bell usually :/
    Steak Quesadilla- 520 cals
    Soft Taco- 190 cals
    Large Baja Blast-410
    Total- a shocking 1120 cals

    Dinner was whatever I decided to cook for me and my husband, usually something not to healthy either.

    So total all that up and its 1926 cals just for breakfast and lunch! that's not including the chips or candy I munched on at my desk.

    No wonder I gained so much weight so quickly. I was going through a hard time and turned to ALL the wrong foods I gained probably 15 lbs in about 3 weeks.....

    Just a reminder to be aware about the foods that you're putting in your body, once in a while these foods are okay to eat to treat yourself, just don't make it a habit like I did!

    It's not really that crazy. It's why most people who eat too much this are overweight....
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    Thanks for this timely reminder of how unhealthy this stuff can be. I was sitting here JUST thinking about a "filet o'fish" sandwich from big bad Mickey D's... and, of course, it's buy one get one free month, blah blah.

    Not happening today, Ronald. Sorry, Cholly. I'll go home and make some salmon. :love:

    DYK that the salmon fillet, size for size, has ~the same (if not more) calories?
  • Cathalain
    Cathalain Posts: 424 Member
    DYK that the salmon fillet, size for size, has ~the same (if not more) calories?

    According to the database, 6 ounces of steamed salmon with spices is 211 calories. A Filet o'Fish (with bun, cheese, etc.) is listed at 390. Seems to me that those (almost) 180 calories could be better spent on something else. Not to mention that the sodium is significantly less.

    But I'll take your word for it.
  • Jenjenthejetplane1
    Jenjenthejetplane1 Posts: 130 Member
    Those steak quesadillas are killer. It's my favorite thing from TB, so I have just quit going there completely or else I would still be eating them. I also quit (mostly) drinking and that solved my problem of Taco Bell "fourth meal." :wink:

    Yeah Fourth Meal is my weakness haha :( Taco Bell is just so good and now they have breakfast! Ugh resist..resist...resist haha

    Or moderation. ..moderation. ..moderation


    I know what my cheat meal saturday is going to be! ;)
    To avoid a binge...binge..binge? :D
  • 1princesswarrior
    1princesswarrior Posts: 1,242 Member
    Hi OP, good for you educating yourself about fast food and it is not the best but most places do have better choices. I eat fast food but I make it fit into my day.

    It's all about education and making better choices so it looks like you're there! Great job and happy weight loss.
  • Rocbola
    Rocbola Posts: 1,998 Member
    If you think the calories are bad, try reading the ingredient list.

    Eww.
  • mfoulkebrown
    mfoulkebrown Posts: 94 Member
    If you think the calories are bad, try reading the ingredient list.

    Eww.

    I would try, but I don't have a PhD in chemistry, so I'm not sure that I'd understand it!
  • tabbyblack13
    tabbyblack13 Posts: 299 Member
    I end up at fast food at least once a week since going to Wal-mart is at least a 1 hr drive (2 hr drive is the cops are out :sad: ). Since I'm there I get all of my shopping done for the week. Groceries, yard supplies, ect has to be bought at that time. So I spend several hours in that town. Fast food is the cheapest and fast for me to get down with shopping.

    I've learned several survival methods. A big thing is no sauses, all it does is add calories and hides any problems with the food. Also add as much lettuce, onions, tomatoes, pickels, ect to the sandwitch to bulk it up. I drive the food places nuts because I special order everything. I will order a sandwich and get rid of half the ingredents. the poor cooks in the back are not all that happy with me.
  • Rocbola
    Rocbola Posts: 1,998 Member
    If you think the calories are bad, try reading the ingredient list.

    Eww.

    I would try, but I don't have a PhD in chemistry, so I'm not sure that I'd understand it!
    Ha! Exactly!
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    I agree. Actually this is one of the best things for me about using this site. And I still DO eat fast food, usually once every week or two. My personal favorites are Culver's, Steak & Shake, and Chipotle.

    Before, I thought I was doing pretty well because I NEVER drank non-diet soda or other caloric drinks when I had fast food, I got a small burger or sandwich yet skipped the fries 99% of the time, etc. But I still could have made better choices. So MFP helps me do that.

    Fast food breakfast is one of the biggest things that floors me though, kind of like you mentioned in your post. When I was at my heaviest I would often grab Sonic or McDonald's breakfast out of laziness and used up so many calories so early in the day. At this point I prefer to have breakfast that is around 170-220 calories and there are so many great options...egg tacos, omelets, Greek yogurt with all sorts of toppings...today I made chocolate oatmeal with half a banana on it and it was delicious. I seriously prefer my current breakfasts to a Sonic Toaster sandwich!
  • judyde
    judyde Posts: 401 Member
    Good for you for checking out the calories. Yes, there are some very high calorie items there, but there are plenty of things you can get that will work with your diet. My husband is a manager at McDonald's and I eat there several times a week.

    As you've noticed, the french fries, hash browns, and full sugar soda have a lot of calories without much nutrition, so they are hard to fit into your day unless you have other meals that are lighter. I rarely get french fries. You can get apples slices as a substitute side.

    How about an egg mcmuffin (250 calories), 2 bags of apple slices (15 cals each) and coffee with splenda (0 cals) for breakfast? Or my favorite, the Oatmeal, yummy, it has diced apples, raisins and craisins on it. I get it without brown sugar - 260 calories and very filling.

    For lunch, try a grilled chicken ranch snack wrap (270 cals), small fries (230 cals) and a diet coke. Total fo 500 cals.

    If you really want a treat, get a Big Mac (550 cals), and a bottled water.

    They have a handy "meal bulder" on their website and a list of items under 400 calories - http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/food/meal_bundles/favoritesunder400.html

    No need to demonize fast food. You can enjoy it in moderation!

    Good luck to you.
  • tedrickp
    tedrickp Posts: 1,229 Member
    If you think the calories are bad, try reading the ingredient list.

    Eww.

    2wf8sok.png


    But I do agree with the OP - fast food can pack a lot of calories in - but you can also make smarter low cal choices. For example a McDs egg mcmuffin - has less than 300 cals if you avoid the hashbrown.
  • SugaryLynx
    SugaryLynx Posts: 2,640 Member
    If you think the calories are bad, try reading the ingredient list.

    Eww.

    2wf8sok.png


    But I do agree with the OP - fast food can pack a lot of calories in - but you can also make smarter low cal choices. For example a McDs egg mcmuffin - has less than 300 cals if you avoid the hashbrown.

    Ermagerd. I've been eating blueberries all these years. ..Secretly ingesting fatty acids and colours!! Da horror.

    But yes, there are many calorie conscious options that are actually a substantial amount of proteins and things. It's why I love the McDonald's Mcwraps so much. I even had that steak stacker at Taco Bell when it was here on an allotment of 1700, when I was cutting. It's all about working them calories/macros and the things :D