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Wendy’s

Flavor:

Loaded Nacho Single Cheeseburger

Ingredients:

Jalapeño Cheddar Bun: Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Sugar, Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto and/or Beta Carotene [for color], Potato Starch and Powdered Cellulose [Anti-Caking Agents], Natamycin [Mold Inhibitor]), Degermed Yellow Corn Meal, Yeast, Honey, Soybean Oil, Dehydrated Jalapeno Flakes, Wheat Gluten, Salt, Mold Inhibitor (Cultured Wheat Flour, Vinegar), Natural Corn Type Flavor Blend, Natural Butter Flavor (Milk Solids, Nonfat Dry Milk, Salt, Natural Flavor), Natural Butter Type Flavor (Dextrose, Corn Starch, Maltodextrin, Dextrin, Natural Flavor, Triglycerides, Silicon Dioxide), Soy Lecithin, Enzyme Blend (Wheat Starch, Salt, Enzymes), Shine Agent (Modified Starch, Sodium Alginate, Mono and Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Polysorbate 60), Turmeric, Paprika. CONTAINS: MILK, SOY, WHEAT. MAY CONTAIN: SESAME. BUNS ARE TOASTED IN A COMMON TOASTER WITH PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN WHEAT, SOY, MILK, SESAME.

Hamburger Patty: Ground Beef, Salt. HAMBURGER PATTIES ARE COOKED ON THE SAME GRILL AS AND MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH INGREDIENTS THAT CONTAIN MILK AND SOY.

American Cheese Slice: Milk, Cream, Water, Sodium Citrate, Salt, Contains 2% or less of Apocarotenal and Beta Carotene (Color), Cheese Culture, Citric Acid, Enzymes, Sorbic Acid (Preservative), Soy Lecithin. CONTAINS: MILK, SOY.

Tomato: Tomato.

Poblano Queso: Water, Whipping Cream (Cream, Milk), Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread (American Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Contains less than 2% of Milkfat, Salt, Sodium Alginate, Lactic Acid, Apo-Carotenal [Color]), Roasted Poblano Chili Peppers, Pasteurized Process Monterey Jack Cheese Product (Cultured Milk and Skim Milk, Milkfat, Natural Flavor, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Enzymes), Seasoning (Nonfat Dry Milk, Sodium Caseinate, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Onion Powder, Spices, Guajillo Chili Pepper, Paprika [Color], Citric Acid), Modified Corn Starch, Jalapeno Peppers, Contains less than 2% of the following: Tomato Paste, Minced Garlic (Water, Garlic, Phosphoric Acid), Cheddar Cheese Ingredient (Cheddar, Granular, Semi-Soft and Blue Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Sodium Phosphate, Vinegar, Salt), Red Bell Peppers, Soy Lecithin. CONTAINS: MILK, SOY.

Spicy Chipotle Sauce: Soybean Oil, Water, Chipotle Pepper Puree (Water, Chipotle Pepper), Distilled Vinegar, Egg Yolks, Guajillo Pepper, Salt, Sugar, Contains less than 2% of Garlic, Dehydrated Onion, Paprika, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate (A Preservative). CONTAINS: EGG.

Spicy Corn And Tortilla Strips: Hot & Spicy Crispy Corn (Toasted Corn [Corn, Canola Oil, Sea Salt], Hot & Spicy Seasoning [Salt, Chili Peppers, Cayenne Peppers, Spice Extractives, Torula Yeast, Natural Flavors], Canola Oil), Seasoned Tortilla Strip (Corn Masa Flour, Vegetable Oil [Sunflower, Safflower and/or Canola], Seasoning [Tomato Powder, Salt, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Torula Yeast, Sugar, Green Bell Pepper, Spices, Citric Acid, Chili Pepper, Natural Flavors]).

Lettuce: Lettuce

Rating: We Avoid

Ingredient Score:

Green Leaf Rating: 1/5

The Wendy’s Loaded Nacho Single Cheeseburger carries the lowest green leaf rating due to its extensive list of non-organic, potentially harmful ingredients. The product is not organic, and it incorporates GMOs, contributing to its poor score. It includes added sugars such as sugar and citric acid, and more concerning is the presence of dextrose, a type of sugar associated with negative health impacts.

The burger contains several additives that raise health concerns. Natural flavors, flavorings, diglycerides, enriched wheat flour, polysorbate 60, silicon dioxide, soy lecithin, xanthan gum, potassium sorbate, sodium citrate, and corn starch are among the ingredients that contribute to the product’s low rating. Maltodextrin, in particular, is noted as a known harmful additive.

The use of oils such as canola, soybean, and vegetable oil, which are considered harmful, further diminishes the product’s health value. These oils are often highly processed and may contain trans fats, which are linked to heart disease and other health issues.

The cheeseburger’s construction includes a Jalapeño Cheddar Bun, a beef patty, American cheese, tomato, poblano queso, spicy chipotle sauce, and spicy corn and tortilla strips, accompanied by lettuce. The bun’s ingredient list is complex, with additives and flavor enhancers that contribute to the product’s low score. The beef patty is simple, consisting of ground beef and salt, but it is cooked on the same grill as items containing milk and soy, which might be a concern for those with allergies. The American cheese slice and poblano queso both contain milk and soy, while the spicy chipotle sauce includes egg.

This product is not recommended for individuals seeking cleaner food options. The combination of non-organic ingredients, GMOs, added sugars, harmful oils, and various additives make it a choice to avoid for those aiming for a healthier diet.