4 fast-food fish sandwiches: one may be healthier than the others

Cod fish sandwich.Photo byCulver's via Facebook.

If you're a fan of fish sandwiches on the go, you might want to know what kind of fish is in that sandwich you're about to consume. Other factors might also be important to you like the cost, the calorie count, and which one is the healthiest.

There are fast food chains that use real fish fillets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are known for their heart-healthy properties. If they came grilled, then you'd be cutting down on unhealthy fats and calories.

Pairing a fish sandwich with a side salad instead of fries and choosing water over soda can enhance its health benefits. If you order one from any of the following fast-food restaurants, it's good to know which one has the better fish option for you.

Culver's North American Cod Sandwich

This one is my favorite if I want a fast-food fish sandwich, but it didn't used to be. Even after Culver's came to the area where I live, it was a while before I finally tried it.

Culver's fish sandwich is battered just right and has a thick cut of cod. I keep the cheese off and go light on the sauce. I like the overall flavor of the sandwich. Whenever you have a sandwich that comes with too much sauce, you can request that it be light on the sauce, or just remove what you don't want.

I only have this sandwich once or twice a year because while it tastes good, it's also not the healthiest. According to Food Nutrition, it contains 663 calories with 54% fat. You can walk or run off most of that. The cost in my area is $7.09 plus tax.

Craig and Lea Culver established Culvers in 1984. It's come a long way since then. They seem to have the friendliest operation once you step inside.

McDonald's Filet-O-Fish

Every time I have ordered a fish sandwich from McDonald's, I get it without the cheese and I remove half the sauce. If you want to taste a good fish sandwich, don't hide the flavor of the fish with too much sauce or cheese.

This is a small sandwich with a square piece of fish content covered in thin batter that doesn't have a lot of flavor. It's okay if you don't want a lot of bread, or fish, or like all that tartar sauce.

The size of the sandwich would explain why it's only 390 calories with 44% fat which would lead you to believe it's healthier than the one at Culver's. You could probably burn that off by walking a little over 30 minutes.

McDonald's was originally founded in 1940 by Richard and Maurice McDonald. Ray Kroc helped to globally expand the brand. The fish making up this sandwich is pollock. The cost of a sandwich in my area is around $5.89 plus tax.

Long John Silver's Ciabatta Jack Fish Sandwich

There don't seem to be as many Long John Silver's around as there used to be in the city where I live in Missouri.

The Ciabatta Jack Fish Sandwich contains 570 calories, with 55% fat. According to Fast Food Nutrition, running for 50 minutes or walking for 81 minutes could burn that off.

Long John Silver's was launched in 1969. According to Safe Harbor Fishing, Long John Silver's uses pollock in its fish sandwich. The cost in my area is $4.99 plus tax.

Burger King's Big Fish

Photo byBurger King Big Fish via Facebook.

BK's Big Fish Sandwich is one I used to order before Culver's arrived.

According to the company, Burger King was started in 1954 by James W. McLamore and David Edgerton in Miami. Other sources, however, trace Burger King back to Insta-Burger King, a venture founded in Jacksonville, Florida, by Keith Kramer and Matthew Burns in 1953. (Source.)

The ingredients include Alaskan Pollock, panko breading, tartar sauce, and tangy pickles on a brioche bun. The cost in my area is $5.79 plus tax.

This sandwich has 513 calories, which include 48% fat and 39% carbs. According to Food Nutrition, you can run that off in 45 minutes or take a 73-minute walk.

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