Heading to In-N-Out and hoping for some healthy options? I’m here to break down the entire In-N-Out menu, along with a calorie calculator you can use to build your ideal meal.
Highlights
- An In-N-Out hamburger with mustard & ketchup instead of spread is the lowest calorie option at 300 calories, offering a healthier alternative by substituting the spread. If you’re looking to cut carbs, you can order the same burger “protein style” with lettuce instead of a bun.
- The “4×4” burger, a secret menu item, contains the highest protein at 62g but also has 970 calories and 56g of fat, making it less macro-friendly.
- For a high-protein yet lower-calorie option, the “Double Meat with mustard & ketchup instead of spread” provides 26g of protein at 410 calories.
If you live on the West Coast, there’s a strong chance that you love In-N-Out.
Those burgers, those French fries, and oh, that secret menu—it’s the stuff of legends. Unfortunately, as someone in the Midwest, I don’t have any In-N-Out locations near me. After looking over the menu for this blog post (and hearing rave reviews from pretty much everyone) that really bums me out.
And while I never want to deter anyone from ordering a Double-Double or Animal Style fries, I think it’s important we dive into the nutrition facts to help you guys make informed decisions.
I’ve gone ahead and broken down the nutrition facts of the entire In-N-Out menu for you. But I’m not stopping there. I’m also giving you my top tips for making healthier choices without sacrificing flavor. Trust me, In-N-Out offers some solid customizations to do just that.
But wait, there’s more!
I’ve even included a handy nutrition calculator to help you customize your order and keep track of those macros. No longer will you need to do any math in your head.
If you need more context & explanation for specific items, don’t worry, we’re about to do a deep-dive.
In-N-Out Nutrition Calculator
Use the In-N-Out nutrition calculator below to find the nutrition facts for any In-N-Out order. Whether you want to select a regular menu item or build your own burger, the calculator has you covered.
In-N-Out Nutrition Calculator
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 0
Fat: 0g
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 0g
In-N-Out Healthiest Options
Let’s be real: When you’re craving In-N-Out, “healthy” might not be the first word that comes to mind. But hey, life’s all about balance, right?
Whether you’re counting macros, watching your calorie intake, or just trying to make a slightly better choice, I’ve got you covered. Below, I’m highlighting the best options for various dietary goals, from the lowest-calorie burger to the most protein-packed feast.
Lowest Calorie Burger
Winner: Hamburger w/Onion with mustard & ketchup instead of spread
300 Calories, 9g Fat, 37g Carbs, 16g Protein
If you’re counting calories, a simple hamburger is a great option. Swapping out the spread for mustard and ketchup shaves off a good chunk of calories (80, to be exact).
Highest Protein Menu Item
Winner: 4×4 (secret menu item)
970 Calories, 56g Fat, 45g Carbs, 62g Protein
If you’re all about that protein, the 4×4 contains by far the most protein…and the most calories. It’s not necessarily a “macro-friendly” option with almost nearly 1,000 calories, but it most certainly contains the most protein.
If you’re trying to gain weight and need the extra calories, or simply want to eat as much protein as possible, this is the way to do it. But if you want a lower-calorie option, let’s keep going…
Highest Protein Item Under 500 Calories
Winner: Double Meat with mustard & ketchup instead of spread
410 Calories, 17g Fat, 37g Carbs, 26g Protein
If you want to eat high-protein but don’t want to indulge in a burger with over 1,000 calories, a Double Meat burger is the way to go. This is simply a Double-Double without the American cheese, which ends up saving quite a bit of calories.
If you prefer the In-N-Out spread to ketchup and mustard, this burger will still come in just under 500 calories with 470 total.
Lowest Fat Item
Winner: Hamburger w/Onion with mustard & ketchup instead of spread
300 Calories, 9g Fat, 37g Carbs, 16g Protein
If you’re watching your fat intake, this burger with mustard and ketchup instead of the spread is your best bet. Most items at In-N-Out are on the higher fat side, but with just 9 grams of fat in a single burger, you could do much worse.
Lowest Carb Item(s)
Winner: Any Protein Style Burger
“Protein Style” at In-N-Out means swapping the bun out of lettuce, which is a go-to move for anyone on a keto or low-carb diet.
For example, a Protein Style hamburger has0 Calories, 14g Fat, 8g Carbs, and 12g Protein. Ditching the bun is the quickest way to cut carbs, and it will drop roughly 29 grams of carbs from any sandwich.
Most Well-Rounded Nutrition
Winner: Cheeseburger w/Onion with mustard & ketchup instead of spread
370 Calories, 15g Fat, 39g Carbs, 19g Protein
If you want a macro-friendly or balanced option, a cheeseburger is a great option to go with. It offers a good mix of protein, carbs, and fats without going overboard on calories.
In-N-Out Full Menu Nutrition
While the In-N-Out menu is on the smaller side compared to other fast food restaurants like McDonald’s, it’s for good reason: they do burgers right.
And when your burgers speak for themselves, you really don’t need to overcomplicate your menu.
But have you ever wondered what exactly goes into that burger, nutritionally speaking? Well, wonder no more because today we’re breaking it down, layer by layer.
The In-N-Out menu contains a hamburger, cheeseburger, double-double, fries, and drinks. Not much, I know. But they also highlight their “not-so-secret” menu which contains a Double Meat, 3×3, 4×4, and grilled cheese.
I did my best to include every possible customization at In-N-Out. I even went through and calculated the calories & macros for every individual component so you can build your own sandwich from scratch!
But before you go swapping out buns for lettuce or adding extra cheese, there are a few things you should know. First off, these are estimates. Even though the figures are close to the real deal, they’re not exact.
Why aren’t they exact? Fast-food chains like In-N-Out often round their nutrition facts to the nearest 5 or 10 units. Sure, it’s convenient, but it also means we lose a bit of accuracy.
Plus, let’s not forget that portion sizes can vary. One patty might be slightly thicker than another, or maybe, just maybe, you got a little extra sauce this time (score!).
Then there are the toppings. Onions, lettuce, and tomatoes don’t pack a ton of calories, but they still count, especially when we’re talking about grilled onion. So, while these estimates are a fantastic starting point, they’re not the be-all and end-all. But hey, they get you pretty darn close to understanding what’s fueling your In-N-Out cravings.
Don’t worry: the nutrition calculator on this page will handle all that tricky math for you.
And while I ran out of room on the handy infographic above, here are the nutrition facts for In-N-Out’s 15oz shakes:
Chocolate Shake: 610 Calories, 30g Fat, 74g Carbs, 16g Protein
Vanilla Shake: 590 Calories, 31g Fat, 74g Carbs, 16g Protein
Strawberry Shake: 590 Calories, 31g Fat, 74g Carbs, 15g Protein
5 Healthy Ordering Tips for In-N-Out
So you’re craving In-N-Out but still want to keep things on the healthier side? No worries—I’ve got you covered. While the calculator above will have all the choices for you, here are five simple tips to make your In-N-Out experience a bit more health-conscious.
- Swap the Sauce: The In-N-Out spread is delicious, but it’s also high in fat and calories. If you’re looking to cut back, consider swapping it out for mustard and ketchup. You’ll still get that tangy, sweet flavor but with fewer calories.
- Go Protein Style: If you’re watching your carbs, opt for the Protein Style option. Your burger will come wrapped in lettuce instead of a bun, saving you a good chunk of carbs and calories.
- Skip the Cheese: Cheese adds flavor, but it also adds calories and fat. If you’re okay with a simpler taste, consider going cheese-less. Trust me, the burger itself is flavorful enough!
- Mind the Fries: French fries are a classic side, but they’re also a calorie bomb. If you’re really watching your intake, maybe skip them altogether or share with a friend. If you absolutely can’t resist, try to avoid the Animal Style Fries—they’re loaded with extra calories from the cheese and sauce.
- Be Smart with Shakes: If you’re craving something sweet, remember that the shakes are high in both calories and sugar (about 600 calories each). If you need something sweet, the hot cocoa could be a great addition to your meal with only 130 calories.
Remember, “healthy” is subjective and these are just guidelines. The most important thing is to enjoy your meal while making choices that align with your personal goals!
Is In-N-Out Healthy?
Ah, the million-dollar question: Is In-N-Out actually healthy? Well, let’s get one thing straight—what’s “healthy” is super subjective and varies from person to person.
But In-N-Out can absolutely fit into a variety of diets if you know what (and how) to order.
First off, let’s talk about the food quality, since I didn’t touch on that in this post. In-N-Out takes their commitment to quality seriously.
According to their site, they use fresh, 100% USDA ground chuck for their patties—free of additives, fillers, and preservatives. They even have their own patty-making facilities to ensure top-notch quality and freshness. And it doesn’t stop at the burgers. All their ingredients are delivered fresh.
No microwaves, no freezers. Even their fries are cut in-store from fresh potatoes and cooked in 100% sunflower oil. So, in terms of ingredient quality, they’re quite solid.
Now, it’s still fast food, and it’s still a treat. But if you’re mindful of what you’re ordering, you can definitely make it work.
Whether you’re going low-cal, high-protein, or low-carb, there’s an option for you. And let’s not forget those little tweaks and customizations that can make all the difference.
So, is In-N-Out healthy? It can be, depending on how you order. It’s all about making choices that align with your personal health goals.
And hey, sometimes that goal is just to enjoy a really good burger, and that’s perfectly okay too.
Kayle
Tuesday 4th of June 2024
My favorite ALL TIME favorite nutritional/wellness blogger. Word is law to me lol!