Donuts are one of the top 10 unhealthiest foods

The Top 10 Unhealthiest Foods According to AI

Dec 11, 2025

By Richard D. Harroch and Dominique A. Harroch

In a world filled with culinary indulgences and temptations, This list sets forth the unhealthiest foods, analyzing their calorie, carbohydrate, and fat content, as well as the reasons they are considered detrimental to your health. While an occasional indulgence in these items can be part of life’s pleasures, understanding their impacts can help guide us to healthier choices.

We noted that many of these items are served at carnivals, fairs, and sporting events, so it’s a good idea to prepare yourself in advance if you know you’ll be tempted in one of these settings.

We used research assistance from ChatGPT to curate this list of the top 10 unhealthiest foods, and we also explain their nutritional makeup and why they’re flagged as poor dietary options. As always, consult your medical professionals for your unique dietary needs and limitations.

1. Deep-Fried Oreos

Calories (per serving of 5): 890
Carbohydrates: 95g
Fat: 51g
Why It’s Unhealthy: Deep-fried Oreos combine high-calorie cookies with the additional fat and calories from frying batter. This treat is essentially sugar and fat layered together, providing minimal nutritional benefit while significantly raising risks for obesity and heart disease when consumed regularly.
Other Details: Popular at fairs and carnivals, these are often paired with sugary toppings like powdered sugar or syrups. Their deep-fried preparation means they likely contain trans fats, which are linked to higher cholesterol levels.

2. Loaded Nachos

Calories (per large serving): 1,250
Carbohydrates: 95g
Fat: 79g
Why It’s Unhealthy: A plate of loaded nachos often contains layers of chips, melted cheese, sour cream, and processed meats like bacon or chili. While tasty, they’re high in saturated fats, sodium, and calories, making them a calorie bomb with limited nutritional value.
Other Details: Sodium levels can exceed daily recommended limits in one serving. Frequent consumption is linked to increased blood pressure and cardiovascular risks.

3. Cheesecake

Calories (per slice): 860
Carbohydrates: 63g
Fat: 58g
Why It’s Unhealthy: Cheesecake is a dessert loaded with cream cheese, sugar, and butter, making it high in both saturated fat and sugar. The rich, creamy texture comes at a cost: a single slice can take up nearly half of the recommended daily calorie intake for some individuals.
Other Details: Its high sugar content contributes to weight gain and blood sugar spikes. It is often topped with syrups or candies, which add even more calories.

4. Fried Chicken

Calories (per piece, thigh): 420
Carbohydrates: 13g
Fat: 26g
Why It’s Unhealthy: Fried chicken, a comfort food staple, is cooked in oil and coated in batter, absorbing significant amounts of unhealthy fats. The deep-frying process also means it contains trans fats, which contribute to heart disease and inflammation.
Other Details: Often paired with high-calorie sides like fries or biscuits. The high sodium content increases risk for hypertension and kidney issues.

5. Milkshakes

Calories (per 16 oz): 720
Carbohydrates: 84g
Fat: 32g
Why It’s Unhealthy: Milkshakes combine ice cream, whole milk, and sugary syrups into a calorie-dense beverage. Many fast-food milkshakes also include whipped cream and candy toppings, adding to their sugar and fat content.
Other Details: Can contain up to 90g of added sugar, far exceeding daily limits. Consuming liquid calories often leads to overeating later in the day.

6. Pizza with Extra Cheese and Meat Toppings

Calories (per slice, 14-inch pizza): 450
Carbohydrates: 36g
Fat: 21g
Why It’s Unhealthy: Pizza is a classic indulgence, but when loaded with extra cheese and processed meats like pepperoni and sausage, its saturated fat and sodium levels skyrocket. Multiple slices can quickly lead to consuming more than a day’s worth of calories, fat, and salt.
Other Details: Processed meat toppings have been linked to higher risks of heart disease and cancer. High sodium levels increase the risk of water retention and high blood pressure.

7. Donuts

Calories (per donut): 300
Carbohydrates: 34g
Fat: 17g
Why It’s Unhealthy: Donuts are deep-fried pastries coated in sugar or filled with high-sugar creams and jellies. Their high fat and sugar content make them a poor choice for regular consumption, as they lead to rapid blood sugar spikes and crashes.
Other Details: Often consumed with coffee, which adds more sugar if the coffee drink is sweetened. Lack of fiber or protein makes them less filling and more likely to contribute to overeating.

8. Ice Cream Sundaes

Calories (per 1-cup serving with toppings): 650
Carbohydrates: 67g
Fat: 35g
Why It’s Unhealthy: Ice cream sundaes are rich in sugar and saturated fat, with toppings like whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and candy further increasing calorie counts. They provide little to no vitamins or minerals, making them an empty-calorie dessert.
Other Details: Frequent consumption can lead to insulin resistance and weight gain among other health-related issues. High dairy fat content may increase cholesterol levels.

9. French Fries (This one makes us particularly sad)

Calories (per medium serving): 365
Carbohydrates: 48g
Fat: 17g
Why It’s Unhealthy: French fries are high in unhealthy fats due to deep frying and are often loaded with salt. While made from potatoes, the frying process strips them of most nutrients, leaving behind a calorie-dense, low-nutrient snack.
Other Details: Contains acrylamide, a compound formed during frying, which may increase cancer risk. French fries are often consumed in large portions, further inflating calorie intake.

10. Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs

Calories (per serving): 650
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fat: 48g
Why It’s Unhealthy: Combining processed meats like hot dogs (which can be very unhealthy by themselves) and bacon doubles the intake of saturated fats and sodium. This dish is particularly high in preservatives and nitrates, which have been linked to increased cancer risk.
Other Details: Popular at barbecues and street food vendors, often paired with high-calorie toppings. It can contribute to clogged arteries and increased cholesterol levels.

Conclusion on the Unhealthiest Foods

This list highlights some of the most indulgent and unhealthiest foods consumed globally, though they are consumed most frequently in the United States. While these items may be enjoyed occasionally depending on your personal health status, their high calorie, fat, and carbohydrate content, combined with low nutritional value, makes them less than ideal for regular consumption.

By understanding the nutritional profile and risks associated with these foods, individuals can make more informed decisions about their diets. Moderation, balance, and awareness are key to enjoying such treats without compromising health.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical concerns or symptoms.

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About the Authors

Richard D. Harroch is a Senior Advisor to CEOs, management teams, and Boards of Directors. He is an expert on M&A, venture capital, startups, and business contracts. He was the Managing Director and Global Head of M&A at VantagePoint Capital Partners, a venture capital fund in the San Francisco area. His focus is on internet, digital media, AI and technology companies. He was the founder of several Internet companies. His articles have appeared online in Forbes, Fortune, MSN, Yahoo, Fox Business and AllBusiness.com. Richard is the author of several books on startups and entrepreneurship as well as the co-author of Poker for Dummies and a Wall Street Journal-bestselling book on small business. He is the co-author of a 1,500-page book published by Bloomberg on mergers and acquisitions of privately held companies. He was also a corporate and M&A partner at the international law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. He has been involved in over 200 M&A transactions and 250 startup financings. He can be reached through LinkedIn.

Dominique Harroch is the Chief of Staff at AllBusiness.com. She has acted as a Chief of Staff or Operations Leader for multiple companies where she leveraged her extensive experience in operations management, strategic planning, and team leadership to drive organizational success. With a background that spans over two decades in operations leadership, event planning at her own start-up and marketing at various financial and retail companies. Dominique is known for her ability to optimize processes, manage complex projects and lead high-performing teams. She holds a BA in English and Psychology from U.C. Berkeley and an MBA from the University of San Francisco. She can be reached via LinkedIn.