Beloved Chick-fil-A Ranked Among America's Unhealthiest Fast-Food Chains

Chick-fil-A, one of America's most popular fast-food chains, has just been named one of the country's "unhealthiest"by WorldAtlas.

Known for its friendly service and "wholesome" image, the restaurant landed in the top 10 due to high-calorie meals and sodium-packed menu items that may not be as healthy as they seem.

WorldAtlas looked at fast-food chains across the country, comparing their menu nutrition, ingredients, and marketing tactics.

The site pointed out that while Chick-fil-A promotes itself as a better option, its meals often go over daily health limits.

For example, the classic Chick-fil-A sandwich with medium waffle fries adds up to around 800 calories and 750 milligrams of sodium—about one-third of an adult's daily sodium allowance, USA Today said.

Pair that with a sugary lemonade or milkshake, and you've got a meal that can quickly spike your daily intake.

"Chick-fil-A masks calorie-dense fried-chicken fare behind a wholesome image," the report said, noting that its drive-thru model encourages fast, frequent eating habits.

Chick-fil-A Rolls Back 'No Antibiotics Ever' Pledge, Cites Changes

The report also mentioned the chain's decision in 2024 to roll back its "No Antibiotics Ever" pledge, which had been a key selling point for health-conscious customers. On the upside, the company still plans to use only cage-free eggs by 2026.

Even Chick-fil-A's salad options aren't as light as some may assume. According to TheAugustaChronicle, the Cobb Salad, for instance, has 830 calories, 60 grams of fat, and a shocking 2,220 milligrams of sodium—nearly the daily limit for many adults.

Here's a quick breakdown of Chick-fil-A's salad nutrition:

Market Salad: 550 calories, 1,010 mg sodium

Spicy Southwest Salad: 680 calories, 1,570 mg sodium

Cobb Salad: 830 calories, 2,220 mg sodium

With over 3,200 locations across the US—including drive-thru spots, food court kiosks, and airport counters—Chick-fil-A is easy to find. Texas leads the way with about 500 locations statewide.

Chick-fil-A joins big names like McDonald's, Wendy's, Taco Bell, and Little Caesars on WorldAtlas' list of the 10 least healthy chains.

Despite its ranking, fans still flock to the chain for its crispy chicken sandwiches and signature sauces.

As one traveler at a Texas location put it, "I know it's not the best for me, but it just tastes better than the others."

Originally published on vcpost.com