KFC Double Down: New Sandwich Replaces Bun With Chicken [VIDEO]

Watch this story: KFC’s New Sandwich Replaces Bun With Chicken

First came boneless wings. Now KFC wants you to chow down on a sandwich that uses (what else?) chicken for the bun.

The KFC Double Down, which launches Monday, is essentially a sandwich with two chicken filets taking the place of bread slices. In between are two pieces of bacon, melted slices of Monterey Jack and Pepper Jack cheese and a zesty sauce.

How much will it cost? About $5 and 540 calories (460 for the grilled version), putting it on caloric par with fast-food standards like the McDonald’s Big Mac or a large order of french fries at Burger King.

But calories aren’t everything. Nutritionists caution that consumers also should pay attention to the sandwich’s salt and fat.

The Double Down has 1,380 milligrams of sodium (1,430 milligrams grilled). That’s close to the American Heart Association’s recommendation that adults eat less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day.

“This is not a healthy choice,” said Walter Willett, chairman of the nutrition department at the Harvard School of Public Health.

While Willett said eliminating the white bread is a good thing to do, “what really sets this product apart is the incredible amount of sodium in one sandwich.”

Elisa Zied, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, said the 32 grams of fat is about half the total fat most Americans should be getting in an entire day. She also was concerned about the saturated fat content.

KFC’s timing with the Double Down — which will be available through mid-May — may seem odd when many fast-food restaurants are promoting healthier menu items to please an increasingly health conscious public.

KFC’s parent company, Yum Brands Inc., has committed to placing calorie counts on menu boards at corporate-owned restaurants nationwide by Jan. 1, 2011. A recently passed federal law eventually will require all chain restaurants to do so.

 But the company said the chicken-as-bun concept tested so well in selected markets last year they decided to introduce it nationwide for a limited time. KFC spokesman Rick Maynard noted that “more indulgent” sandwiches like the Double Down share menu space with lower-calorie options.

“That’s one of the things that make our restaurants popular,” he said. “We have something for everyone.” First came boneless wings. Now KFC wants you to chow down on a sandwich that uses (what else?) chicken for the bun.

The KFC Double Down, which launches Monday, is essentially a sandwich with two chicken filets taking the place of bread slices. In between are two pieces of bacon, melted slices of Monterey Jack and Pepper Jack cheese and a zesty sauce.

How much will it cost? About $5 and 540 calories (460 for the grilled version), putting it on caloric par with fast-food standards like the McDonald’s Big Mac or a large order of french fries at Burger King.

But calories aren’t everything. Nutritionists caution that consumers also should pay attention to the sandwich’s salt and fat.

The Double Down has 1,380 milligrams of sodium (1,430 milligrams grilled). That’s close to the American Heart Association’s recommendation that adults eat less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day.

“This is not a healthy choice,” said Walter Willett, chairman of the nutrition department at the Harvard School of Public Health.

While Willett said eliminating the white bread is a good thing to do, “what really sets this product apart is the incredible amount of sodium in one sandwich.”

Elisa Zied, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, said the 32 grams of fat is about half the total fat most Americans should be getting in an entire day. She also was concerned about the saturated fat content.

KFC’s timing with the Double Down — which will be available through mid-May — may seem odd when many fast-food restaurants are promoting healthier menu items to please an increasingly health conscious public.

KFC’s parent company, Yum Brands Inc., has committed to placing calorie counts on menu boards at corporate-owned restaurants nationwide by Jan. 1, 2011. A recently passed federal law eventually will require all chain restaurants to do so.

But the company said the chicken-as-bun concept tested so well in selected markets last year they decided to introduce it nationwide for a limited time. KFC spokesman Rick Maynard noted that “more indulgent” sandwiches like the Double Down share menu space with lower-calorie options.

“That’s one of the things that make our restaurants popular,” he said. “We have something for everyone.”

5,000 calorie monster burger officially debuts [Video]

 

I know a lot of you are familiar with the story of the Fifth Third Burger.It’s a 5,000 calorie monstrosity created by the West Michigan Whitecaps that’s filled with meat, five slices of American cheese, chili, salsa, nacho cheese and Fritos. There may also be half a horse in there too.

But anyway, the burger officially made its debut this week, with the Whitecaps having an Opening Day challenge to see who could eat the whole thing by themselves. 32 brave souls attempted to do it. Only 17 managed to survive accomplish the feat.
A 16-year-old kid, Steve Landis, managed to be the first to finish. And his mom provided possibly the quote of the year for us.

“I wasn’t quite sure. Should I be proud of him or not?”

Are you kidding me? Anyone who finishes a burger of this size deserves not just our admiration, but a bronze statue. 

Watch video of people tackling this monster burger: I Can’t Believe I Ate The Whole Thing: The Fifth Third Burger Makes Its Official Debut

See Also: Reporter takes on 5,000 calorie burger: Burger Wins [Video]

Photo: Flickr user Josh May

Reporter takes on 5,000 calorie burger: Burger Wins [Video]

Morning shows get to have all the fun!

Traffic reporter Dave Kaechele has thrown in the towel, or in this case shirt, on his Fifth-Third Big Burger challenge.

The West Michigan Whitecaps unveiled the Fifth Third Burger on the menu at the ballpark this summer. The burger contains five 1/3lb. burger patties, chili, Fritos, and a load of other items. It contains nearly 5,000 calories, 300 grams of fat, and more than 10,000 milligrams of sodium.

Dave Kaechele attempted to devour the $20 burger during the morning news on Friday. He started around 6:00 a.m., but still had at least one patty left by his 7:00 a.m. deadline.

Watch this fun video: WZZM 13 Traffic reporter vs. 5,000 calorie burger: Burger wins