McDonald's is one of the most successful and recognizable fast-food restaurant chains in the world. It has more than 30,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries, 75 percent of which are owned independently. McDonald's is famous for its fries, Big Mac hamburgers, Quarter Pounder hamburgers, Egg McMuffin breakfast sandwiches, and of course, its signature Golden Arches.
History of McDonald's
McDonald's started as a barbecue restaurant in San Bernadino, California, opened by brothers Dick and Mac McDonald. After closing for repairs in 1948, the restaurant opened as the McDonald's we now know. The menu changed to cheeseburgers, soft drinks and chips, and was famous for its 15-cent hamburger. In 1955, the first McDonald's franchise opened in Illinois, and over the next 10 years, 700 restaurants opened across the United States. In 1958, McDonald's sold its 100-millionth burger. By the celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2005, McDonald's had expanded its menu and its locations all across the United States.
McDonald's Salads
McDonald's first added salads in 1987 and expanded its options by adding premium salads in 2003. The chain now features 11 salads, including a fruit and snack salad. The salad options include a bacon ranch salad with chicken, plain and chicken Caesar salads, plain and chicken southwest-inspired salads and the ever-popular side salad.
Ingredients in McDonald's Side Salad
The side salad always contains iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, carrots, grape tomatoes and a spring mix of lettuces. The spring lettuce mix might contain baby red romaine, baby green romaine, baby red leaf, baby green leaf, baby red Swiss chard, baby red oak, baby green oak, lolla rosa, tango, tatsoi, arugula, mizuna, radicchio and frisee. The salads usually are served with a separate package of croutons and your choice of dressing.
Nutrition Information for McDonald's Side Salad
One serving of a McDonald's side salad is 3.1 oz. and contains 20 calories, no saturated fat or trans fat, 10 mg of sodium, 4 g of carbohydrates, 1 g of dietary fiber, 2 g of sugar and 1 g of protein. The salad offers 8 percent DV of calcium and 2 percent DV of iron.
Healthy Meal Options
Salads are a quick and easy way to make your fast food meals more healthful. Swapping fries for a side salad removes 210 calories per meal. Paired with a hamburger at 250 calories, cheeseburger at 300 calories, a double cheeseburger at 440 calories, a McDouble at 390 calories or a Quarter Pounder at 410 calories, the meal will stay be less than 500 calories, since a side salad has only 20 calories. Extras like croutons and salad dressing will add another 60 to 190 calories per meal, so opt for low-fat versions or skip the croutons.
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