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Fast food is not characterized as the healthiest option. However, sometimes out of convenience or on a whim it can be difficult for you to resist it. To choose the healthiest foods on the menu, the ideal is to choose your foods in advance. If you are a fan of McDonald’s food, we have selected six best options that you can order on your next visit.
Checking the nutritional information of the McDonald’s menu It is possible to find foods with fewer calories as well as with the less amount of unhealthy ingredients such as sodium, saturated fat and added sugars.
5 healthier McDonald’s options
1. Hamburger
Calories: 250; total fat: 9 g (3.5 g saturated); carbohydrates: 30 g; sugars: 6 g; sodium: 510 mg; and proteins: 12 g
The original hamburger (no cheese ) is one of the lowest calorie options on the menu. Contains beef seasoned with a pinch of salt and pepper, a spicy pickle, diced onion, tomato sauce and mustard.
2. Cheeseburger
Calories: 250; total fat: 13 g (6 g saturated); carbohydrates: 31 g; sugars: 7 g; sodium: 801 mg; and proteins: 15 g
This hamburger is low in calories , although it has a higher amount of saturated fat and sodium (31% Daily Value) than the original hamburger, is less than that found in other hamburgers such as quarter pound double cheese with 1360 mg of sodium.
Contains beef seasoned with a pinch of salt and pepper. It’s topped with a pickle, onion, ketchup, mustard, and a slice of melted American cheese.
3. Chicken McNuggets (six pieces)
Calories : 300; total fat: 15 g (2.5 g saturated); carbohydrates: 14 g; sugars: 0 g; sodium: 400 mg; and proteins: 14 g
Chicken McNuggets are low in calories, sugar free and they remain as one of the low sodium options, but to this we must add the calories that the sauces contain. Buffalo hot sauce has only 30 calories, but ranch dressing has 110 calories.
4. Filet-o-Fish
Calories: 320; total fat: 18 g (4 g saturated); carbohydrates: 36 g; sugars: 5 g; sodium: 720 mg; and proteins: 16 g
McDonald’s fish burger is low in calories. The steak is accompanied by melted American cheese and creamy tartar sauce. You can lower the sodium and fat content even more if you order it without that creamy sauce.
5. McChicken
Calories: 400; total fat: 21 g (3.5 g saturated); carbohydrates: 36 g; sugars: 5 g; sodium: 560 mg; and proteins: 14 g
This chicken burger is only topped with lettuce and mayo. Ordering it without mayonnaise can help you reduce sodium and calories.
How about McDonald’s breakfast oatmeal?
Maple Fruit Oatmeal is much lower in sodium and saturated fat than Burrito and Egg McMuffin, However, should be considered as McDonald’s oatmeal has 31 grams of sugar per serving, which would equal almost 8 teaspoons of sugar.
Calories: 320; total fat: 4.5 g (1.5 g saturated); carbohydrates: 39 g; sugars: 31 g; sodium: 250 mg ; and proteins: 6 g
To take into account
Daily salt consumption. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans consider an intake of up to 2, 300 mg of sodium. The World Health Organization suggests consuming less than 2 grams of sodium per day, while the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends an ideal limit of no more than 1, 500 mg sodium per for those with high blood pressure.
Daily consumption of added sugars. The AHA suggests a limit of added sugar of no more than 100 calories per day (approximately 6 teaspoons or 24 grams of sugar) for most women and not more than 150 calories per day (approximately 9 teaspoons or 36 grams of sugar) for most men.
High sodium content can increase blood pressure. The AHA states that it can also increase the risk of osteoporosis, cancer of stomach and kidney disease.
High sugar consumption favors obesity and it is also related to an increased risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and inflammation in the body, they can increase the risk of heart disease.
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