Shake Shack is a burger joint that serves up burgers made from freshly ground beef, as well as nitrate and nitrite-free hot dogs, fries, shakes and other desserts. Although the fresh ground beef and chemical-free hot dogs are a plus compared with the lower quality meat served at other fast-food restaurants, it doesn't mean that your Shake Shack meal is nutritious. You should also consider the fat, sodium and sugar content of your meal before digging in.
Burgers
A single patty burger at Shake Shack contains 490 calories and 30 grams of fat, of which 11 grams are saturated. The double patty burger has 770 calories and 50 grams of fat, of which 20 grams are saturated. This is a large amount of fat for one meal, and too much saturated fat in your diet can increase your risk of heart disease. The burgers contain a lot of sodium, up to 1,895 milligrams, which is more than the daily 1,500-milligram limit recommended by the American Heart Association.
Hot Dogs
A plain hot dog is your best beef hot dog choice, but it still contains 300 calories and 15 grams of fat, of which 5 grams are saturated. The plain beef hot dog also has 700 milligrams of sodium. The chicken dog is slightly better in terms of calories and fat, with 300 calories and 11 grams of fat, of which 3 grams are saturated. The chicken dog, however, also has 970 milligrams of sodium, which is 65 percent of your daily limit.
Shakes and Desserts
The shakes at Shake Shack range between 640 and 870 calories per serving. The shakes are also quite high in fat. The peanut butter shake, for example, contains 52 grams of fat, of which 24 grams are saturated. The shakes also contain a staggering amount of sugar, and regularly eating too much sugar can lead to weight gain, which, in turn, increases your risk of Type 2 diabetes. The caramel shake contains 84 grams of sugar, which is equal to 21 teaspoons. That is far more than the daily 6-teaspoon limit recommended for women and the 9-teaspoon limit for men, according to the American Heart Association.
Making a Healthy Choice
One of the best ways to eat a healthier meal at Shake Shack is to skip the shake and have a glass of water instead. This will significantly decrease your intake of calories, fat and sugar. Opting for a plain single patty burger or a plain hot dog is another wise choice. If you simply must have the loaded double patty burger, consider splitting it with a friend to keep your calorie, fat and sodium content at a more reasonable amount. Though the fries don't contain trans fat, they still contain between 21 and 43 grams of fat per serving, depending on whether you eat them with cheese or not.
