The 5 best fast food burgers for your health, says new study

As President Donald Trump settles into his second term in the White House, his love of burgers is well known.

In Texas, a Trump-themed restaurant inspired by the president’s penchant for burgers opened on Election Day. And a post-election photo of Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. enjoying a McDonald’s meal went viral on social media.

Will these favorite foods be embraced as part of the Make America Healthy Again mission?

Food website Delish recently highlighted some of its picks for the healthiest burger options in America.

To determine the “healthiest,” Delish focused on the nutritional facts, including calories, carbohydrates, fat and sodium levels, of different burgers from more than 15 different menus.

“Burgers are not necessarily unhealthy,” Laura Manaker, a South Carolina-based dietitian and nutritionist who helped compile the Delish rankings, told Fox News Digital.

“Burgers can really be part of a balanced diet as they are a good source of protein and iron, which are essential nutrients for the body. The key is portion control and being aware of what else you’re eating with it.”

In descending order, here’s how Delish ranked the burgers.

5. Whataburger Jr.

Texas-based fast food restaurant chain Whataburger had the fifth healthiest burger with its Whataburger Jr. product.

Whataburger Jr. has 310 calories, 36 grams of carbs and just three grams of saturated fat — the lowest of any burger Delish looked at.

A Whataburger Jr comes with tomato, lettuce, pickles, diced onions and mustard, according to the Whataburger website.

However, the sodium level of Whataburger Jr. it was the second highest at 750 milligrams.

4. In-N-Out Hamburgers

A hamburger at In-N-Out isn’t so bad, Delish said.

“The classic hamburger has 16 grams of protein, only 360 calories, 37 grams of carbohydrates, 4.5 grams of saturated fat and 660 mg of sodium, which for us, gives it a slight edge over the Whataburger Jr.,” according to Delish.

The In-N-Out burger comes standard with onions, spread, tomato and lettuce — though as any In-N-Out lover knows, there’s a lot more to the menu than what’s officially on display at the restaurant.

At In-N-Out, the California-based chain’s “secret” menu includes the option to make everything “protein style” — replacing the bun with a lettuce wrap.

By doing this, the In-N-Out burger is reduced to just 200 calories, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, 390 grams of sodium and eight grams of carbohydrates, Delish said.

3. McDonald’s classic hamburger

The classic hamburger at McDonald’s is a solid fast food option, Delish said.

“The classic (but still delicious) fast food Golden Bow hamburger has 13 grams of protein, 250 calories, 30 carbs, just 3.5 grams of saturated fat and 510 mg of sodium,” Delish said.

A classic McDonald’s burger comes with “a tangy pickle, chopped onions, ketchup and mustard,” according to the Illinois-based chain’s website.

2. Burger King Whopper Jr.

A “slightly smaller” version of Burger King’s flagship Whopper sandwich, the Whopper Jr. was praised by Delish for its high protein content, low calories and low sodium.

Whopper Jr. it’s topped with “fresh tomatoes, fresh lettuce, delicious pickles and crispy onions,” according to Burger King’s website, as well as mayo and ketchup.

“This option comes in with slightly more protein than Micky D’s (15.2 grams), 310 calories, 27 grams of carbs and 5 grams of saturated fat. Plus, it has the lowest sodium content on our entire list at 390 mg,” said Delish.

1. Wendy’s Jr. Hamburger

Wendy’s Jr. Hamburger. was crowned the healthiest fast food burger by Delish, thanks to its “impressively low calorie count” of just 280 calories.

“At 440 mg, the sodium level is still relatively low, and this burger comes in at 15 grams of protein and only 25 grams of carbs,” Delish said.

The Jr. hamburger at Wendy’s comes with pickles, onions, ketchup and mustard, according to the Ohio-based chain’s website.

Tips for a healthier fast food trip

Regardless of the burger, there are some easy trade-offs to make a fast food trip a little healthier, two nutrition professionals told Fox News Digital.

One is to avoid a double meat patty and consider alternatives like grilled chicken breast or a veggie burger, Michael Garko told Fox News Digital.

Garko is a Florida-based nutritional consultant for Strauss Naturals, a supplement company based in Canada.

“Grilled or veggie patties are typically lower in saturated fat and calories than beef patties,” Garko said.

Also, don’t forget about the impact side dishes can have on a meal, Garko said. French fries, Garko said, “are high in trans fat, sodium and calories,” while a side salad — with a light dressing — contains vitamins and fiber.

If skipping fries just isn’t an option, Vanessa Rissetto, a registered dietitian and CEO of Culina Health, had another suggestion: Ditch the buns.

“If you want to have a burger with fries, my recommendation would be to eliminate the bun,” Rissetto, based in New York, told Fox News Digital.

“Not only does the bun add carbs and calories, it also messes up the whole flavor.”

Sodas also play a role, Rissetto said. A person looking for the healthiest ride at a fast food restaurant should “replace soda or sugary drinks with water, unsweetened tea, or sparkling water.”

“Sugar drinks contribute to calorie depletion and can lead to weight gain and insulin resistance,” she said.