[Big Mac]Reuters Since its debut on the McDonald's menu in 1967, the Big Mac has become an American pop culture phenomenon, and one of the most famous items on the fast food franchise's menu. People who order the iconic burger know exactly what they're getting — two beef patties on a sesame seed bun, topped with pickles, lettuce, and of course, that special secret sauce. They also probably know that with 540 calories and 28 grams of fat, the Big Mac is not the thing to order if you're counting your calories. If you're looking for something on the lighter side, you may think a salad is the best choice. But don't be fooled — some of your favorite fast food restaurant salads have even more calories than the Big Mac. Adding things like bacon, cheese, and of course, creamy dressings can really make the calories add up. And although calories aren't an exact indicator of an item's "healthiness," but these calorie counts are certainly surprising. So before you hit the drive-thru, make sure you know exactly what you're sinking your teeth into. If you're thinking about any of the salads on this list, you might be better off going with a burger. BURGER KING'S CHICKEN CLUB SALAD - 610 CALORIES Hollis Johnson The word "club" in the Chicken Club Salad at Burger King is a clue that it isn't one of the lighter options on the menu. The thick-cut smoked bacon and buttery garlic croutons may sound delicious, but they come with lots of calories. The salad has a total of 610 calories and 41 grams of fat. PANERA BREAD'S SOUTHWEST CHILE LIME RANCH SALAD WITH CHICKEN - 650 CALORIES Panera Bread The smoked pulled chicken and adobo corn blend give Panera Bread's Southwest Chile Lime Ranch Salad With Chicken a perfect blend of southwestern flavors. But this salad has a whopping 650 calories. You can make it a little lighter by holding the Chile Lime Rojo Ranch dressing, which has 70 calories. You can also opt for the half salad portion, which has 320 calories. PANERA BREAD'S FUJI APPLE SALAD WITH CHICKEN - 570 CALORIES Panera Bread The Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken at Panera Bread may sound like a lighter alternative to a burger and fries, but at 570 calories, you should at least get a little grease on your hands. Most of this salad's calories are found in the Greek dressing, which is 230 calories alone. If you want all of the flavors without the guilt, the half portion contains 260 calories. SEE THE REST OF THE STORY AT BUSINESS INSIDER SEE ALSO: * 15 questions every bride should ask when wedding dress shopping * 7 celebrity couples who have gotten real about open relationships * 5 celebrities who actually hate the Met Gala
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