Indiana Has 173 Locations of America's Unhealthiest Chain

While it might be delicious, one restaurant with over 170 locations in Indiana has been crowned the most unhealthy in the United States. Any guesses?

We live in a world now where most people are more health-conscious than they were twenty years ago, and for good reason. We only get one life, one body. It's best to take care of it the best you can. This is especially true when it comes to the food that we eat. Now look, I'll be the first to admit that fast food and Hamburger Helper are delicious, and I eat more of them than I probably should. The older I get, the more I realize that I can't eat like I used to back in the day. It used to be that I could eat all of the food that I wanted and not gain a pound. Now, it seems like I eat it once in a blue moon, and I gain five pounds.

A new study just crowned one fast food chain the unhealthiest in the United States, and you’ll find 173 of its locations right here in the Hoosier State. This recent study from the number crunchers at World Atlas examined all the major fast food chains in the U.S. to determine which one's food is the most unhealthy.

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Most Unhealthy Fast-Food Chains Study

So in this study, World Atlas reviewed nutrition data, menu gimmicks, and marketing tactics at major chains. From there, they found ten restaurant chains that routinely serve meals that go beyond daily calorie limits in a single sitting while encouraging visits through bargain pricing and around-the-clock service. One might assume that's pretty much most fast-food chains.

Just for reference, the estimated calorie needs for adult females is 1,600-2,400 calories per day. Likewise, the estimated daily calorie needs for adult males are 2,200-3,000 per day, according to Health.com.

That being said, let's find out which fast-food chain was named the most unhealthy in America.

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America's Most Unhealthy Fast-Food Chain

According to the study from World Atlas, the fast-food chain that is considered the most unhealthy is one that has 173 locations in Indiana. That "honor" goes to Wendy's. Just how unhealthy is Wendy's? Here's what the study found:

Wendy's square burgers and Frosty desserts create a caloric minefield. A Triple Baconator meal with large fries and medium Frosty hits about 2,160 calories, 54 g saturated fat and 3,400 mg sodium, exceeding most daily limits in one sitting. Seasonal beasts like the Pretzel Bacon Pub Triple top 1,500 calories by themselves. Breakfast croissant combos, Biggie Bag bargains and late-night hours foster oversized, frequent visits, landing Wendy's firmly atop America's most waist-widening, heart-straining chains.

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Now, personally, I enjoy Wendy's. Give me a Baconator or their delicious chicken nuggets with a baked potato, and I am a happy camper. However, I was surprised that of all fast-food chains, this was named the most unhealthy. What about you? Did you expect something else?

KEEP READING: 40 Real Indiana Towns with Quirky, Weird, and Funny Names

Outside the major cities, the Hoosier state is full of tiny little towns you've probably passed through on your way to one of those cities. Most of them are likely 100 to 150 years old, or older, and have been around far longer than the large metropolitan areas such as Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Evansville. Typically, they were started by early settlers who found their way to the state and decided to make it home. Eventually, others would join them, and a community was formed. Over time, as the surrounding areas grew, most of them were folded into those areas and governed by the nearest city or county's governing body officially making them "unincorporated," meaning they did not have their own formally organized municipal government.

A scroll through Wikipedia's long list of unincorporated communities in Indiana shows several of them have names that by today's standards would be considered weird, quirky, or just downright right funny. These are my 40 favorities.

Gallery Credit: Ryan O'Bryan

25 Most Common Last Names in Indiana

Do you share the same last name as thousands of your fellow Hoosiers? Forebears looked at hundreds of names across the state and ranked them based on the number of people who have them. Take a look at the list below to see where (or if) your last name is on the list.

Gallery Credit: Ryan O'Bryan

See 11 Unique Attractions You'll Only Find in Indiana

From the World's Largest Ball of Paint to a pink elephant drinking a martini, the Hoosier State is filled with quirky little things worth a detour on your next road trip.

Gallery Credit: Ryan O'Bryan

Source: America’s Most Unhealthy Fast Food Has 173 Indiana Locations