Is Chick-fil-A Bad For You?
Short answer
It would be an unhealthy choice to dine at Chick-Fil-A on a regular basis. In addition to being high in fat and sodium content, the food here is highly processed – a veritable minefield of preservatives and additives.
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
With a reputation for having an attentive and enthusiastic frontline staff, Chick-Fil-A is the type of restaurant people love to patronize. Increasing profits show a commitment to what they have to offer, despite recent negative attention paid to the Conservative Christian values which are tightly woven into the fabric of this organization. The first Chick-Fil-A opened its doors in 1967, and it has since grown to include close to 2000 restaurants.
Chick-Fil-A’s slogan “Eat Mor Chikin” unquestionably promotes the health benefits of chicken over red meat, and recently they have been flying on the coattails of a public announcement that will stop using chickens raised with the help of antibiotics. Despite this, the chicken sandwich which this fast food chain claims to have invented is without a doubt the unhealthiest item on the menu. Both chicken and bun are over-processed and contain a long list of ingredients. In addition to the usual suspects – MSG, sodium, saturated fats and high fructose corn syrup, they are loaded with preservatives and additives to make the meal more attractive, as well as giving it a longer shelf life. Buns contain Azodicarbonamide – the yoga mat rubber which Subway came under fire for using as a dough softener, and food coloring appears among the list of chicken coating ingredients.
Skipping the bread and opting for grilled chicken will not save you – sugar, salt, maltodextrin, modified food starches and artificial flavorings and colorings are all encountered here. The waffle fries should be avoided at all costs – not only will they net you 520 calories, they contain color retention and anti-foaming agents, as well as chemical preservatives.
As with most fast food restaurants, a nutritional breakdown of menu items is available for Chick-Fil-A. Accessing this will keep you blissfully unaware of additives and preservatives, but occasional diners should use it to select something low in calories, fat, and sodium, while providing a sufficient supply of protein to suppress appetite until the next mealtime. Several menu items at Chick-Fil-A meet this mark. A Grilled Market Salad is your best bet. It contains both fruit and vegetables and weighs in at 200 calories with 23 grams of protein, and only 5 grams of fat. Chicken nuggets contain 19 grams of fat but will keep you just under 400 calories while providing a full 40 grams of protein.
Possible short-term side effects
- water-retention
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dehydration
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lethargy
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headache
Possible long-term side effects
- obesity
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cancer
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high cholesterol
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diabetes
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heart and kidney disease
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stroke
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high blood pressure
Ingredients to be aware of
Healthier alternatives
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Written by Healthy Living 35
Published on: 02-19-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Healthy Living 35
Published on: 02-19-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
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