1. Milkshakes
Just like their chicken products, Chick-fil-A is also well known for its delicious and tasty beverages, including its milkshakes, which change according to the seasons. For instance, during the summertime, they'll have a peach milkshake, and have even had 'autumn spice' milkshakes during the fall. However, while this may sound obvious, it's important to note that frequently indulging in their thick milkshakes is not great for you. Bakovic notes they're "high in added sugars, unhealthy saturated fats, and overall caloric load."
"Chick-fil-A milkshakes can provide just as many calories as an entire meal," she continues.
2. Waffle Fries
Unlike typical fast food chains, where they all have their own renditions of average fries, Chick-fil-A is known for switching it up with its iconic waffle fries. The fries are large in size, crispy, salty, and super popular. However, if you're always getting them as your side when you go, you're eating a lot of extra calories and added fat.
"[They're] high in calories and unhealthy fats," says Bakovic. "The fries offer little nutritional value, and are a source of relatively empty calories."
3. Sausage, Egg & Cheese Biscuit
Chick-fil-A has a breakfast menu that's definitely unique from other fast food chains, incorporating their classic chicken patties into indulgent fast food items like biscuits and more. However, they also have some classic fast-food breakfast options, like a sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit. Still, Bakovic notes this is one of the "worst" things you could order for weight loss.
"It's high in saturated fat and sodium content, which when consumed in excess, can both contribute to chronic disease risk and weight gain," she explains.
4. Chicken Strips
Aside from their chicken nuggets, which are one of their most frequently ordered items, people love Chick-fil-A's chicken strips, which they'll often dip in their popular sauces like Chick-fil-A sauce, ranch, and more. However, while they don't come on a sandwich bun, they're still not a very weight-loss-friendly option.
Bakovis says the strips have a "high fat content and caloric load, especially when drizzled with calorie-dense sauces."
5. Mac & Cheese
While it's decadent, creamy, cheesy, and undoubtedly delicious, it probably doesn't come as much of a surprise that Chick-fil-A's mac & cheese isn't the most nutrient-dense item on their menu. While it does contain an impressive 13 grams of protein in a serving, it's still packed with fatty cheese and starchy pasta.
"Similar to the menu items listed above, the mac & cheese is high in fat content and calories, also contributing to weight gain if consumed regularly or excessively," says Brakovic.
6. Chick-fil-A Deluxe Sandwich
Aside from their chicken nuggets, the fast food chain is very famous for their deluxe chicken sandwich, which contains a fried chicken patty, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and American cheese all on a buttered bun. It's a classic and favored menu item, but it's also very calorie-dense and can easily throw your weight loss journey off track.
"This is a large sandwich made with high-fat breaded chicken," notes Brakovic. "The menu item also comes with cheese and mayonnaise, additionally contributing to a relatively high caloric load."
7. Spicy Deluxe Sandwich
While it's not all too different from its original counterpart, it's worth noting that the spicy version of the deluxe sandwich comes with the same downsides, in addition to a spicy breading and, occasionally, some kind of added sauce put on the sandwich, which boosts the calories.
"Like the Deluxe Sandwich, this Spicy version [sometimes] has added sauces and a spicy breading, expanding its calorie and fat count," adds Brakovic.
Do any of these menu items surprise you?