Burger King Vs Wendy's: Which Serves The Healthier Bacon Cheeseburger?

When you're craving a meaty bite and a plain burger just won't cut it, bacon cheeseburgers are a delectable combination of meat and more meat — plus gooey cheese to put the uber-satisfying umami fest over the top. Now, which queso-laden, bacony sandwich between Burger King and Wendy's is more nutritionally sound is subjective — everyone has a different idea of what's healthy and what isn't, and everyone's individual needs are different. In terms of nutrition, though, the bacon burger offerings from some restaurant chains unquestionably exceed the meaty sandwiches from other brands in terms of things like protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

In comparing the premium bacon cheeseburgers at these two popular fast-food chains, a clear nutritional winner emerges. Each brand's sandwich includes crispy bacon, American cheese, ketchup, mayonnaise, and double beef patties (with Wendy's burger showcasing that iconic square meat), but BK's Bacon King exceeds Wendy's Baconator in almost every category.

We examined these two mighty, meaty burgers side by side to crunch their nutrient numbers. Come along as we take a deeper dive into what each offers in terms of the key metrics. If you're undecided regarding which drive-thru to hit up at mealtime, the data may help you make that delicious call.

Ranking highly within the Burger King pantheon of sandwiches, the Bacon King is a serious contender in various feasting areas. Nutritionally, no matter how you slice the bacon, this sandwich brings big numbers. It packs 69 grams of protein and — breaking the mold among typical fast-food burgers — delivers 4 grams of dietary fiber. Many quick-bite hamburgers (including Wendy's Baconator) contain a single gram of fiber (or less than that). If you're engaging in a protein maxxing diet or striving to increase your fiber intake, the Bacon King is the clear choice between the two sandwiches.

If you're watching your intake of calories or fats, though, you'll want to hit up Wendy's rather than BK to satisfy your beef and bacon cravings. With the exception of trans fats, which Wendy's Baconator has a higher amount of, the Bacon King tops the Wendy's burger in terms of fat and calories, containing 1,260 calories and 84 grams of total fat, with 34 grams of saturated fat and 2 grams of trans fat. BK's burger is also higher in unsaturated fats, though, which are considered "healthy fats" and are calculated by subtracting the amount of saturated and trans fats from a food item's total fat. In the case of the Bacon King, that tallies out to a total of 48 grams of "good" fats, which is more than the Baconator.

If you're looking to reduce the amount of sodium in your diet, though, the Bacon King isn't the burger for you. It serves up 2,330 milligrams of sodium, which is significantly higher than the Baconator and is, incidentally, more sodium than the FDA recommends consuming in an entire day (which is less than 2,300 milligrams per day).

By no means a lightweight in the savory scrumptiousness department, Wendy's bacon-, cheese-, and beef-laden Baconator nevertheless falls significantly behind the Bacon King in the protein department, containing 59 grams. It also delivers just 1 gram of fiber.

While it's lighter in fat and calories than the BK sandwich, serving up 890 calories and 58 grams of total fat, with 24 grams saturated, the Baconator contains 2.5 grams of trans fat, which is higher than the Bacon King. The American Heart Association and MedlinePlus advise avoiding processed trans fats altogether in your diet.

The Baconator does contain significantly less sodium than the Bacon King — 1,580 milligrams — which is well under the FDA's recommendation. So, while the sandwich certainly doesn't win the day in terms of protein, fiber, or unsaturated fats, it's the burger that sodium-conscious eaters will want to opt for.

Heads up: You can elevate your Baconator with some ordering tips and turn up the nutrition factor. Swapping the standard potato bun for a pretzel bun, for instance (offered as an option with an upcharge), significantly increases the fiber content to 3 grams, and it slightly upticks your protein, too, increasing it to 62 grams. Adding asiago and muenster cheeses to the included slices of American (also for an upcharge) adds 8 extra grams of protein. You can even pay extra to pile on more slices of applewood-smoked bacon to join the six pieces the Baconator comes standard with. Lettuce, tomato, sweet onion, and pickles can be added free of charge, as well, to bring added freshness and their respective vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional attributes.