Though most people wouldn’t consider fast food even remotely healthy, one fitness expert shared that it’s a better choice than one might think.
In a now-viral video, TikToker and certified personal trainer Jacob Zemer (@jacobzemer) shared why he recommends having Wendy’s chili for lunch.
The video kicked off with Zemer pulling into a Wendy’s drive-thru and ordering a large chili. After he got his food and parked, the content creator shared some personal information on why he recommended the item. He explained that his mom started being concerned about her weight after giving birth to his middle sister. One of the things she did to manage her weight was eating Wendy’s chili for lunch.
“So this sucker’s been around since at least the early 90s, and it still is an amazing actual hack,” he said.
The TikToker then broke down the nutrition facts of a large Wendy’s chili.
“It’s got 340 calories, 22 grams of protein. It’s got 8 grams of fiber; it’s low in fat,” he said. “I was shocked that this was actually a viable option.”
Though he noted that the chili doesn’t “quite pass the test,” he still deemed it a “pretty d*mn good macro food” as a stand-alone option.
He also explained that while he wouldn’t eat it every day, it’s a good option to pivot to if you’re “in a pinch” and can’t have the “ideal” healthy meal.
“This is an option if you’re on the road or you’re in midday crisis mode,” he concluded.
The video racked up over 582,000 views, and many commenters agreed with Zemer.
“Wendy’s chili is top tier,” one viewer wrote.
“I have done this for years! I thought I was the only one,” a second agreed.
“Yes. Love it. I do it as well in a pinch,” a third stated.
In addition, some shared what they like to add to their chili.
“Order it with chopped onions and cheese,” one viewer suggested.
“The hot sauce packets they have are killer too,” a second commented.
Others, however, were concerned with the chili’s sodium content.
“You not gonna mention the sodium,” one viewer remarked.
“Holy Sodium…edema city!” another exclaimed.
According to the Wendy’s website, a large chili contains 1,270 milligrams of sodium. This is approximately 55 percent of the recommended daily sodium allowance for adults, which is under 2,300 milligrams. Furthermore, the chili has 15 grams of total fat, 30 milligrams of cholesterol, and 31 grams of total carbs.
While it’s up to individuals to decide whether the sodium content and other nutritional elements are right for them, Wendy’s also praises the chili as a good option. “With 16g net carbs in a small order and 23g net carbs in a large order, Wendy’s chili is a carb-conscious, high protein OG-favorite when eating on the go,” the company blog states.
The Daily Dot reached out to Zemer via Instagram direct message and TikTok comment.
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*First Published: Nov 2, 2023, 9:49 am CDT
Melody Heald is a culture writer. Her work can be found in Glitter Magazine, BUST Magazine, and more.
FAQs
“It's shocking to learn that Wendy's 'recycles' old burger patties to make their chili,” Dr. Culpepper says, noting that “even when used for their original, intended purpose—and I can't believe I had to use that phrase in reference to burgers—the patties are loaded with fat, cholesterol, and sodium.”
How healthy is Wendy's chili? ›
A large chili has just 340 calories per serving and 15 grams of fat. Thanks to the beans, you'll also get eight grams of fiber and 22 grams of protein.
What is the nutritional value of Wendy's large chili? ›
Nutrition Facts
| Calories 340 | (1423 kJ) |
|---|
| Sodium | 1270 mg | 53% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 31 g | 10% |
| Dietary Fiber | 8 g | 32% |
| Sugars | 8 g | |
9 more rowsIt really does taste more homemade than most other fast food dishes, including the other stuff on the Wendy's menu. This is about as inoffensive as chili can get (unless you're a bean hater), which makes it a perfectly fine choice as a side or a light lunch.
What is the most unhealthy thing on Wendy's menu? ›
The Wendy's Big Bacon Classic Triple Burger may be the worst thing on the menu, with 1,220 calories in just one sandwich. And don't forget about the 36 grams of saturated fat— or 163% of the recommended daily value (DV) of just 22 grams per day—and 10% of your daily calories.
Why is too much chili bad for you? ›
Eating too spicy food causes stomach pain When eating too spicy will make the stomach affected. The signs of the disease are easily recognized such as: Vomiting, heartburn, stomach burning or may cause gastroesophageal reflux. In addition, the stronger the spicy level, the more severe the stomach and duodenal ulcer.
What's the healthiest thing to eat at Wendy's? ›
Wendy's Crispy Chicken Sandwich is made with lean, white meat chicken for a good source of protein, and it clocks in at just 330 calories. Topped with crispy lettuce and mayo, this sandwich is balanced with protein for fullness, carbs for extra energy, and fat for flavor—making it the perfect healthy Wendy's order.
Is Wendy's chili made fresh everyday? ›
Made fresh every day
We prep from scratch every day—slicing our tomatoes by hand, preparing our house-made chili and cooking our bacon to ensure quality and freshness in every order.
Does Wendy's use old hamburgers for chili? ›
He even asked himself, “what do you do with the leftover hamburger?” The answer was simple: combine the beef we use for our hamburgers with a hearty helping of vegetables, chili beans and a dash of spice. Creating the perfect chili recipe wasn't easy, but Dave knew it would be worth it.
Does Wendy's chili have a lot of carbs? ›
So, if you need some help at your next chili cook-off or a family event, you know where to go (we'll keep it our secret). - With 16g net carbs in a small order and 23g net carbs in a large order, Wendy's chili is a carb-conscious, high protein OG-favorite when eating on the go.
We Should. We Could. We Canned.
Enjoy the classic taste of Wendy's® famous chili from the comfort of your own home.
What are the weaknesses of Wendy's? ›
Limited Global Presence: Although Wendy's is a prominent player in the fast-food industry, its global presence is not as extensive as some of its competitors. This limited reach may impact its potential for market expansion and growth.
Why do people want to boycott Wendy's? ›
Instead of using their influence to help protect farmworkers against sexual assault, forced labor, and a host of other human rights violations, Wall Street investors doing business with Wendy's make a fortune investing their money in an industry founded on unconscionable farmworker exploitation.
Does Wendy's put sugar in their chili? ›
Chili Concentrate: Chili Sauce (Water, Tomato Juice, Tomatoes, Calcium Chloride, Seasoning (Sugar, Salt, Corn Starch, Dried Chilies, Spices, Flavor Enhancer [Dextrose, Salt, Yeast Extract, Silicon Dioxide, Modified Corn Starch], Citric Acid, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, Xanthan gum), Beans (Pink Beans, Red ...
Does Wendy's use real beef in their chili? ›
The Wendy's Chili recipe ingredients are simple at their core, but at Wendy's it's all about blending our signature beef with the perfect mix of hearty vegetables, chili beans and savory spices. The result is a taste that's both satisfying and sentimental, and it's the perfect comfort food anytime of the year.
Is Wendy's chili made from leftovers? ›
Okay, so we told you that Wendy's uses its leftover hamburger patties to make its chili, but how does that work, exactly? When a Wendy's chef makes a hamburger patty, it will stay fresh for a little while. However, if they make too many and leave them sitting out for too long, the meat will start to dry out.
What is the Wendy's food poisoning lawsuit? ›
The lawsuit filed last week claims Aspen Lamfers, 11, became ill in early August 2022 after eating a "Biggie Bag" meal from the Jenison Wendy's restaurant on Port Sheldon. On Aug. 1, 2022, the young girl got the meal containing a hamburger, chicken nuggets and french fries, after finishing softball practice.
Is Wendy's chili made fresh every day? ›
Made fresh every day
We prep from scratch every day—slicing our tomatoes by hand, preparing our house-made chili and cooking our bacon to ensure quality and freshness in every order.
