McDonald's is one of the world's most successful fast food chains, grossing $23 billion a year, according to Entrepreneur. Thanks to films such as "Super Size Me," McDonald's has also become synonymous with unhealthy food. Though many McDonald's items aren't good for you, that doesn't mean you have to abandon your goals if you need quick nourishment and McD's is the only option.You can stay on track if you know what to choose and what to avoid.
Expert Insight
The biggest problem with McDonald's food is its fat content. You can avoid going overboard on fat by knowing how much you should consume. The Mayo Clinic recommends that adults consume 20 to 35 percent of their daily calories from fat. The clinic reports that, for a person consuming 2,000 calories per day, that is 44g to 78g of fat per day.
Burgers
If you want a burger, try to steer clear of McDonald's "Angus" burgers. The Angus Bacon and Cheese, for example, contains 790 calories, 350 of which come from fat. This burger also contains 39g of fat. Instead, if you're hungry, get a Big and Tasty. Though it contains 260 calories and 24g of fat, leave off the mayonnaise and it drops to 410 calories and 19g of fat. Or, try a regular hamburger, which has 250 calories and 9g of fat.
Chicken
Chicken sounds healthy, but be careful about the preparation. Most of McDonald's "crispy" chicken items aren't much healthier than beef burgers. For example, the Premium Crispy Chicken Club Sandwich has 630 calories and 28g of fat. Instead, look for grilled options. The Premium Grilled Chicken Classic Sandwich has 420 calories and a manageable 10g of fat.
Wraps
If you need a quick bite rather than a full meal, consider McDonald's snack wraps. Even the "crispy" options aren't overwhelmingly high in fat and calories. The Honey Mustard Crispy Snack Wrap has 330 calories and 16g of fat. Grilled wraps are better. The Honey Mustard Grilled Wrap contains 260 calories and only 9g of fat.
Sides and Sweets
Be careful about what you get to go with your entree. Some McDonald's sides can double your meal's fat and calories. A large order of fries, for example, contains 500 calories and 25g of fat. If you must have fries, get a small order, with 230 calories and 11g of fat. If you want something sweet, steer clear of the McFlurry with M&Ms, which has 730 calories and 25g of fat. Instead, order a fruit and walnut salad, which has 210 calories and 8g of fat, or a fruit parfait without granola, which has 130 calories and 2g of fat.
Member Comments