The Wendy’s son of Baconator is a popular burger option for people looking for a filling, indulgent meal. With two beef patties, applewood smoked bacon, cheeses, condiments, and a bun, this burger definitely packs a caloric punch. For people watching their calorie intake or following a specific diet plan, knowing the calorie count of menu items like the son of Baconator is important. This article will provide a detailed breakdown of the total calories and nutrients in a Wendy’s son of Baconator burger.
Son of Baconator Burger Overview
The son of Baconator is a smaller version of Wendy’s famous Baconator burger. Here are the components that make up a standard son of Baconator:
– Two quarter-pound beef patties
– Two slices of American cheese
– Six half slices of applewood smoked bacon
– Mayonnaise
– Ketchup
– Pickles
– Onions
– Tomato
– Lettuce
– Bun
The two beef patties provide a good amount of protein while the bacon adds saltiness, smokiness, and fat. The mayonnaise, ketchup, and vegetables add moisture and flavor. With all of these high-calorie ingredients sandwiched between a bun, it’s no surprise that the son of Baconator packs a lot of calories.
Total Calories in a Wendy’s Son of Baconator
A standard Wendy’s son of Baconator contains a total of 850 calories.
Here is a breakdown of the calories from each component:
| 2 beef patties | 440 calories |
| 2 slices American cheese | 140 calories |
| 6 half slices bacon | 180 calories |
| Bun | 190 calories |
| Mayonnaise | 90 calories |
| Ketchup | 20 calories |
| Pickles | 10 calories |
| Onions | 15 calories |
| Tomato | 5 calories |
| Lettuce | 5 calories |
| Total | 850 calories |
As you can see, the two beef patties contribute the most calories at 440. The bacon, cheese, and bun are also high in calories. The vegetables and condiments provide relatively few calories. When all the ingredients are combined, the total calories add up to 850 for the entire son of Baconator sandwich.
How the Son of Baconator Compares to Other Wendy’s Burgers
The son of Baconator has 170 calories less than the Baconator, Wendy’s biggest burger. The Baconator has 1020 calories total.
Compared to Wendy’s single patty burgers, the son of Baconator has nearly twice as many calories. For example:
– Dave’s Single: 390 calories
– Junior Bacon Cheeseburger: 380 calories
The son of Baconator also has more calories than many of Wendy’s chicken sandwiches and wraps. Examples:
– Homestyle Chicken Sandwich: 420 calories
– Spicy Chicken Wrap: 350 calories
So while the son of Baconator has fewer calories than Wendy’s biggest burgers, it has significantly more calories than many other menu options. It provides nearly an entire day’s worth of recommended calories in one sandwich.
Nutrition Facts for Son of Baconator
In addition to calories, the son of Baconator provides a significant amount of fat, protein, carbohydrates, and sodium.
Here are the full nutrition facts for a Wendy’s son of Baconator:
| Calories | 850 |
| Fat | 54g |
| Saturated Fat | 22g |
| Trans Fat | 1.5g |
| Cholesterol | 155mg |
| Sodium | 1830mg |
| Carbohydrates | 49g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 12g |
| Protein | 54g |
Some key takeaways from these nutrition facts:
– High in fat at 54g, which is 83% of the daily recommended value
– 22g saturated fat, which is 110% DV
– Very high in sodium at 1830mg, which is 78% DV
– High amount of protein at 54g
– Moderate carbohydrates at 49g
– Low fiber at just 2g
So in addition to being very high in calories, the son of Baconator is also very high in unhealthy saturated fat and sodium. The protein and carbohydrate levels are reasonable for such a large burger. But the low fiber indicates this is not a very balanced meal overall.
How to Make the Son of Baconator Healthier
While the son of Baconator tastes great, it may not be the best option for someone concerned about their health or limiting calorie intake. Here are some tips for making the son of Baconator a little healthier:
– Ask for no mayo and ketchup. This removes 110 calories.
– Ask for extra lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles to increase the fiber and nutrients.
– Order a side salad instead of fries to add nutrients without extra calories.
– Split the burger with a friend or eat half now and half later to cut calories in half.
– Swap the bun for a lettuce wrap to save calories and carbs.
– Choose grilled chicken instead of beef to reduce saturated fat and calories.
Even with these tweaks, the son of Baconator will still be high in calories, fat, and sodium. But making a few simple modifications can slightly improve the nutritional value of this indulgent burger.
Should You Eat a Wendy’s Son of Baconator on a Diet?
The son of Baconator packs a serious calorie punch, so is it wise to eat it when following a diet plan or trying to lose weight? Here are some factors to consider:
– At 850 calories, it’s nearly half the daily recommended 2000 calorie intake for many dieters.
– The high levels of fat, saturated fat and sodium may counteract other healthy diet efforts.
– There are many healthier menu options at Wendy’s within 300-400 calorie range.
– Portion control is key – splitting the sandwich or opting for a smaller side can cut calories.
– Saving it for a rare, special treat day may be better than eating it frequently.
– Adding exercise can help burn some extra calories to allow for this splurge burger.
Overall, the son of Baconator isn’t the best option for frequent consumption on a diet plan aiming for weight loss. Controlling portions, limiting condiments and high-calorie sides, and finding lower calorie Wendy’s options can help keep it as an occasional part of an otherwise balanced diet. With some nutrition awareness, you can still enjoy this indulgent burger without derailing your health goals.
Conclusion
The Wendy’s son of Baconator certainly lives up to its meaty, bacon-loaded name with a whopping 850 calories and high amounts of fat and sodium. Eating this burger requires having awareness of your daily calorie needs and health goals to determine if it fits into your diet. Being mindful of portion size, limiting high-calorie add-ons, and pairing it with healthier side dishes can help offset some of the nutritional impact of indulging in this bacon cheeseburger. While not an everyday value menu item, the son of Baconator can be worked into a balanced diet sparingly for those focused calorie and fat moderation.
