KFC’s new Double Down: no bread, lots of fat

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Listen up, fast-food fanatics! There’s a new sandwich coming down the pike. And as you’ve probably guessed, it’s not remotely healthful.

It’s called the Double Down, and before we tell you who conjured it up, here’s what’s in it: two fried chicken fillets surrounding two slices of Monterey Jack and pepper jack cheese, two slices of bacon, and sauce. Where’s the bun, you ask? There is no bun.

This morsel from KFC weighs in at 540 calories, 32 grams of fat and 1,380 milligrams of sodium. A grilled version is not much better -- 460 calories, 23 grams of fat and 1,430 milligrams of sodium. What would keep us from ordering either version, more than the calories and fat, is having to handle those things with bare hands. Super ick.

The Double Down will be available April 12, and although the calories and fat aren’t exactly in the realm of ‘good for you,’ this is not the only fast-food sandwich that can stop a heart at 20 paces. A Big Mac has 540 calories and 29 grams of fat, and a Burger King Tendercrisp chicken sandwich has 800 calories and 46 grams of fat.

What bothers us is that KFC was praised for going in the right direction, health-wise, when it launched its grilled chicken line in 2009. But the fried version of this sandwich seems like taking a step backward. It also seems like something invented by drunk college kids with a mini-fridge and a hot plate.

Is there any way to feel better about eating this fat-laden dish? On its website KFC says that since the Double Down is bun-less, the company is donating the ‘unneeded’ sandwich buns (and some money) to food banks across the country. OK, but maybe taking a spin on the elliptical trainer after eating one might not be a bad idea as well.

-Jeannine Stein