How Many Calories Are in a Cheeseburger and a Big Mac?
Cheeseburger nutritional information: (from Five Guys Restaurant, 303 g, 10.7 ounces) 840 calories; 40 g carbs; 47 g protein; 55 g fat; 2 g fiber; 9 g sugar; 1,050 mg sodium
Quarter Pounder with Cheese nutritional information: (199 g, 7 ounces) 520 calories; 42 g carbs; 29 g protein; 26 g fat; 3 g fiber; 10 g sugar; 1,110 mg sodium
Big Mac nutritional information: (211 g, 7.4 ounces) 530 calories; 27 g fat; 960 mg sodium; 47 g carbs; 3 g fiber; 9 g sugar; 24 g protein
Unfortunately, burgers of any kind are not exactly diet food, although research has demonstrated that a diet high in protein helps you feel full longer. A 6-ounce burger has more than 400 calories, but when you count the bun and all the toppings (mayo, cheese, bacon, ketchup, etc.), you can hit 700 or even 800 calories.
To make a tasty but healthier burger, mix the meat with chopped mushrooms, peppers and onions. You'll have the same size burger, but it will be lower in calories, and you'll also be getting the health benefits of all those vegetables. Instead of cheese (70 to 120 calories a deli slice), top your burger with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles or even celery. Or try "lite" or reduced-fat cheese.
Avoid mayo (100 calories per tablespoon) and stick to ketchup, mustard or steak sauce. But stay away from barbecue sauce: It has 30 calories per tablespoon instead of the 15 in either ketchup or steak sauce. Those calories can add up fast if you're not paying attention. Dump 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce on your burger and fries and you've just eaten 240 extra calories.
More: The Diet Detective: 8 Ways to Cook a Healthier Burger
How Many Calories Are in Watermelon?
Nutritional information: (1 cup diced, 152 g) 46 calories; 0.2 g fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 2 mg sodium; 11.5 g total carbs; 0.6 g fiber; 9.4 g sugars; 0.9 g protein
Watermelon is low in calories, but it fills you up. It's not too expensive, and because it's 92 percent water, it can quench your thirst and rehydrate your body on a hot summer day. On average, watermelon provides 7.5 to 10 milligrams of the antioxidant lycopene per cup—about 40 percent more than is found in raw tomatoes. That's because lycopene's bioavailability is low when tomatoes are eaten raw, and increases in heat-processed products such as tomato juices and sauces.
Watermelons, however, don't need to be heated in order for you to obtain maximum lycopene, which is believed to guard against heart disease and some cancers. Additionally, watermelon is a good source of vitamins A (1 cup has almost 20 percent of your daily values) and C (20 percent of daily values), and it also contains potassium, vitamin B6 and thiamin.
How Many Calories Are in an Orange?
Nutritional information: (140 g, 5 ounces) 69 calories; 0.2 g fat; 1 mg sodium; 17.5 g carbs; 3 g fiber; 12 g sugar; 1.3 g protein
Oranges are low in calories and easily transported because of their protective peel. There are multiple varieties from which to choose, but if you think you can simply drink your oranges, think again. Orange juice is not a terrible choice, but it doesn't have anywhere near the level of hunger satisfaction, nutrient content or disease-fighting ability as the whole fruit. Packed with vitamin C and fiber, oranges also contain thiamin, folate, vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), potassium and calcium. In fact, researchers have found more than 170 phytochemicals in oranges, including more than 20 carotenoids.
How Many Calories Are in a Slice of Pizza?
Nutritional information: (DiGiorno Primo Pepperoni, 1/4 pizza, 133 g) 340 calories; 14 g fat; 800 mg sodium; 39 g carbs; 2 g fiber; 3 g sugar; 14 g protein
Nutritional information: (Pizza Hut 14-inch Large Pan Pizza, 1 slice, 1/8 pizza) 350 calories; 17 g fat; 730 mg sodium; 36 g carbs; 1 g fiber; 1 g sugar; 14 g protein
To make pizza a bit healthier and lower in calories, try going cheeseless (or use just half the cheese; you'll hardly taste the difference). Also, you can order a pizza with healthy toppings such as grilled chicken or vegetables, and sprinkle your cheeseless pizza with Parmesan for extra flavor. Steer clear of extra cheese, sausage or other meats, deep dish and stuffed-crust pizzas—all of which pack on calories and fat.
More: 15 Foods to Help You Lose Weight
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