14 DAY TRIAL // Earlier this month, KFC proudly announced that, on the 12th, it would introduce a sandwich that had been tested in two separate locations about a year back, called the Double Down. This breadless bacon sandwich was hailed by KFC as a revolution in the fast-food industry, while health experts lamented what it would do to the buyer’s health. As it turns out, things could actually be worse than that.
The Double Down replaces bread with two pieces of chicken breast, which can be either deep fried or grilled. KFC claims those looking to choose the healthier option of the two should go for the latter. Between these two pieces is one piece of bacon, cheese and, of course, the Colonel’s sauce, which makes of the Double Down a nutritionist’s nightmare. The same goes for those on a diet who might crave some fast food and go into one such establishment thinking they can always choose a salad.
As That’s Fit notes in an older post, the Double Down may actually be healthier than some salads on the menu – and it’s all supported by facts, no matter how unbelievable it might sound. As it turns out, some of these salads are actually fat traps, just like it is the case with diet versions of food and beverages, for instance. “Don’t judge the food by what it’s called. When you see a food called a ‘salad’ that doesn’t mean that it’s equivalent to a low-calorie meal,” American Dietetic Association Spokesperson Bonnie Taub-Dix says for the aforementioned publication.
“The Double Down is by no means healthy. It has 540 calories, 32 grams of fat and 1,380 milligrams of sodium. But The Consumerist found 10 items – including three popular salads – from Burger King, McDonald’s and Wendy’s that are worse than the sandwich. Burger King’s Tendercrisp Garden Salad, billed as their ‘salad for chicken lovers,’ has 670 calories, 45 grams of fat and 1,740 milligrams of sodium. The Chicken BLT Salad at Wendy’s, which comes with cheese, bacon, chicken and honey-dijon dressing, has 790 calories, 53 grams of fat and 1,660 milligrams of sodium. Wendy’s Southwest Taco Salad with ranch dressing and tortilla strips has 680 calories, 39 grams of fat and 1,620 milligrams of sodium,” That’s Fit further writes, citing figures from The Consumerist.
Again, this doesn’t mean that the Double Down is a healthy choice for dieters and not only. This should, though, serve as an alarm horn for how some fast-food products can actually pose to be healthier than they are, and a warning for how we should never allow ourselves to be deceived by their name. Labels should include all types of nutritional details, so, if you’re looking to stick to a diet or are watching your weight, make sure you check them first before ordering.