Caloric Content of a Standard Fast-Food Cheeseburger
A standard fast-food cheeseburger contains approximately 310 kilocalories, based on nutritional data from major U.S. chain restaurants 1.
Detailed Nutritional Profile
The complete nutritional breakdown of a standard cheeseburger includes:
- Energy content: 310 kcal per single cheeseburger 1
- Protein: 28 grams 1
- Phosphorus: 310 mg (actual content), with 186 mg adjusted for bioavailability 1
- Phosphorus-to-protein ratio: 11.0 mg per gram of protein 1
Context Within Complete Meals
When considering cheeseburgers as part of combination meals, the caloric impact increases substantially:
- Default combination meals (cheeseburger, fries, beverage) average 1,193 kcal for lunch/dinner 2
- Large bundled meals in 2013 represented 65-80% of a 2,000 kcal daily diet 3
- Maximum option combination meals can reach 1,685 kcal 2
Nutritional Concerns
Sodium Content
- A single cheeseburger contributes significantly to daily sodium intake 2
- Complete meals provide 63-91% of the 2,300 mg daily sodium recommendation and 97-139% of the 1,500 mg recommendation 3
Saturated Fat
- Cheeseburgers and combination meals frequently exceed recommended limits for saturated fat 2
- 50% of default combination meals exceeded Healthier Restaurant Meal Guidelines for saturated fat 2
Meal Frequency Impact
- Fast-food consumption among children increases daily energy intake by 126 kcal, while adolescents experience a 310 kcal increase 4
- Fast-food consumption is associated with higher intake of total fat (7-14 g), saturated fat (2-5 g), and sugar (6-16 g) 4
Public Health Perspective
Burgers, sandwiches, and tacos collectively represent 13.8% of total energy consumption in the United States, making them the single largest contributor to daily caloric intake 1. This category, combined with other nutrient-poor, calorie-dense foods, accounts for 43.2% of total energy intake across all age groups 1.
The American Heart Association identifies these foods as primary sources of excess energy consumption that contribute to overconsumption of nutrient-poor, calorie-dense foods 1. These items often replace nutrient-dense foods, leading to dietary shortfalls in essential micronutrients including calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and dietary fiber 1.