My grandfather was a regular at Hardee's for breakfast each morning after my grandmother passed away. He would have the same basic breakfast each morning and the women behind the counter had it ready for him many days when he walked in the door. I would enjoy joining him a morning or two when I was home from college. The Hardee's in my hometown has since closed and my grandfather has passed away but my memories of breakfast with him at Hardee's remain.

Last week it was reported that Hardee's and sister chain Carl's Jr. will be the first national fast-food chains to permanently include turkey burgers on their menu.

It is wonderful that the same chain that sports the 1,320 calorie, 2/3 pound Monster Thickburger with 95 grams of fat is interested in offering a healthier alternative. With a healthy entrée goal of 250 calories and 10 grams of fat or less, something healthier is certainly a step in the right direction, right? Let's take a closer look at this new burger option and the rest of the menu alternatives as part of our ongoing Food on the Run series to see how it measures up.

The restaurant chain takes great pride in presenting four Charbroiled Turkey Burger options that are all under 500 calories. While some nutrition minded folks praise this new direction because turkey is lower in fat, be careful you don't miss the bigger picture which in this case is the nutritional details.

Turkey Burger
Calories – 480
Fat – 17 grams
Sodium – 930 mg
Carbohydrates – 47 grams
Fiber – 4 grams
Protein – 31 grams

BBQ Ranch Turkey Burger (Hardee's only)
Calories – 460
Fat – 15 grams
Sodium – 950 mg
Carbohydrates – 52 grams
Fiber – 4 grams
Protein – 31 grams

Mushroom & Swiss Turkey Burger (Hardee's only)
Calories – 480
Fat – 17 grams
Sodium – 1,380 mg
Carbohydrates – 44 grams
Fiber – 3 grams
Protein – 37 grams

Guacamole Turkey Burger (Carl's Jr. only)
Calories – 490
Fat – 21 grams
Sodium – 1,120 mg
Carbohydrates – 43 grams
Fiber – 3 grams
Protein – 33 grams

Teriyaki Turkey Burger (Carl's Jr. only)
Calories – 470
Fat – 14 grams
Sodium – 1,120 mg
Carbohydrates – 55 grams
Fiber – 3 grams
Protein – 32 grams

These sandwich options are lower in calories by almost half in some comparisons, to other burger choices. However, they are still calorie-rich sandwiches that are also high in sodium. For many people they would be difficult to fit into their daily meal plans. Here are your best lower calorie sandwich choices when you stop at Hardee's although none may fit in your meal plans if lower sodium is required.

Hot Ham 'N' Cheese (Hardee's)
Calories – 280
Fat – 12 grams
Sodium – 1,090 mg
Carbohydrates – 29 grams
Fiber – 1 gram
Protein – 18 grams

Small Hamburger (Hardee's)
Calories – 310
Fat – 15 grams
Sodium – 500 mg
Carbohydrates – 32 grams
Fiber – 1 gram
Protein – 14 grams

Kid's Hamburger (Carl's Jr.)
Calories – 230
Fat – 10 grams
Sodium – 510 mg
Carbohydrates – 24 grams
Fiber – 1 gram
Protein – 9 grams

Charbroiled BBQ Chicken Sandwich (Carl's Jr.)
Calories – 380
Fat – 7 grams
Sodium – 1,070 mg
Carbohydrates – 51 grams
Fiber – 3 grams
Protein – 30 grams

If you must have fries, portion control and being a kid again is the key.

Natural-Cut Kid Size French Fries (Both restaurants)
Calories – 200
Fat – 9 grams
Sodium – 450 mg
Carbohydrates – 28 grams
Fiber – 2 grams
Protein – 2 grams

A better side choice would be a salad.

Side Salad (without dressing at both restaurants)
Calories – 120
Fat – 7 grams
Sodium – 160 mg
Carbohydrates – 7 grams
Fiber – 2 grams
Protein – 7 grams

Hawaiian Grilled Chicken Salad (without dressing at Carl's Jr.)
Calories – 260
Fat – 8 grams
Sodium – 560 mg
Carbohydrates – 34 grams
Fiber – 4 grams
Protein – 22 grams

Original Grilled Chicken Salad (without dressing at Carl's Jr.)
Calories – 270
Fat – 9 grams
Sodium – 780 mg
Carbohydrates – 21 grams
Fiber – 3 grams
Protein – 25 grams

Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing (Both restaurants)
Calories – 35
Fat – 1.5 grams
Sodium – 480 mg
Carbohydrates – 5 grams
Fiber – 0 grams
Protein – 0 grams

If breakfast is what you are interested in, your calorie-wise choices will be limited.

Pancakes (without syrup or butter from Hardee's)
Calories – 300
Fat – 5 grams
Sodium – 830 mg
Carbohydrates – 55 grams
Fiber – 2 grams
Protein – 8 grams

Grits (Hardee's)
Calories – 110
Fat – 5 grams
Sodium – 490 mg
Carbohydrates – 16 grams
Fiber – 1 gram
Protein – 2 grams

The Bottom Line
It is nice to see fast service restaurants making an effort to improve the nutritional content of their food. It is also somewhat encouraging to learn that the Men's Health and Eat This, Not That assisted with the new burger development in addition to leading a marketing promotion. Never the less, it is all in an attempt to offer patron's (especially hungry men) a more health conscious alternative. Nutritionally, a 254 gram Turkey Burger provides 17 grams of fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 75 mg of cholesterol as part of the 480 calories. In comparison, a 220 gram Little Thickburger offers a whopping 39 grams of fat, 12 grams of saturated fat, 80 mg of cholesterol for 100 calories more. The turkey burger provides a significantly lower saturated fat choice and is the way to go if the 480 calories fits into your meal plan when you are selecting a meal away from home. Remember that Subway offers many sandwich choices at half the calories and fat that would make a better quick service option if your calorie allowance doesn't fit with the turkey burger options.

What do you think of the idea of a turkey burger? Is it something you would try?