Physicians Warn Consumers to Avoid “Sickening Six” on Fast-Food Summer Menus

The Physicians Committee, a nonprofit of 17,000 doctors, has reviewed recently released summer fast-food items and is urging consumers to avoid the most “Sickening Six” summer menu options:

*Sources: fastfoodnutrition.org, Subway.com **This sandwich is available as a double, triple

“Putting new twists on old high-fat, high-cholesterol, and high-sodium foods as part of a ‘new’ summer menu has become an annual marketing ploy for fast-food outlets,” says Susan Levin, MS, RD, director of nutrition education for the Physicians Committee. “Summer 2021 is no different, and consumers deserve to know the truth about these items’ poor nutritional content.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 42% of U.S. adults are now obese. A study published in the journal Circulation found that people who eat fast food once a week increase their risk of dying from heart disease by 20%. Two to three fast-food meals a week increase the risk of premature death by 50%. Four or more fast-food meals a week increase the risk of dying from heart disease by nearly 80%.

Despite this health crisis, fast-food restaurants continue to introduce foods that are exceedingly unhealthful. Among several items added for Summer 2021, the Physicians Committee suggests that consumers avoid the “Sickening Six,” designated as such because of the exorbitant amounts of cholesterol, fat, calories, and sodium per item. Some items also contain carcinogens.

“Though it did not make the list because it consists of two items rather than one, McDonald’s new BTS meal receives our Dishonorable Mention because it uses South Korean pop band BTS to peddle long-offered 10-piece Chicken McNuggets and french fries” Levin says. “Sonic’s Twisted Texan Chili Cheese Coney contains more than 50 grams of processed meat, which significantly increases the risk of colorectal cancer if eaten daily.”

Studies show that a plant-based diet can help people prevent and even reverse diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure, among other conditions. To that end, consumption of meat and dairy products has been declining for years, and consumers are embracing meat alternatives.

Note to reporters: To interview a dietitian and for more information about the criteria used to determine the healthfulness of each item, contact Leslie.

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