McDonald’s, founded in 1940 by the two McDonald brothers Maurice and Richard, is the largest restaurant chain in the world. Ray Kroc bought the business in 1955 and started an expansion that continues to this day. It has over 14,000 locations in the United States and over 22,000 more in the rest of the world. The restaurant chain serves about 68 million customers per day and its worldwide revenue is over US$24 billion annually.

McDonald’s had problems during 2014 with a food supplier in China that sold the chain some food materials that were past the expiration date. The chain is also having trouble attracting millennials, who are the group of people born after 1980 and between 18 to 32 years old. Compared with the baby boomers, the millennials are an even larger segment of the population. In total, they represent a huge amount of buying power.

McDonald’s recently introduced new uniforms to have a more contemporary look. The response from millennials was that they look like the uniforms worn by evil “Star Wars” actors. Clearly, if McDonald’s wants to impress millennials, the company still has a long way to go.

Even though customer numbers have been declining for the past four straight years, profits are up due to the turnaround orchestrated by current CEO, Steve Easterbrook. The company cut overhead substantially, closed hundreds of non-performing locations, started serving breakfast all day, and in the United States stopped using chicken that was fed antibiotics.

The company continues to try to move towards a “healthier” menu, trying to change its image from a fast-food chain selling an unhealthy product.

On April 25, 2017, Reuters reported that shares in the McDonald’s company are trading at an all-time high. Many people still eat McDonald’s food in massive amounts.

For our food ratings of the nutritional values, we relied on Fooducate. Fooducate is a social media website that has a grading algorithm to rate foods for their nutritional density. The ratings are from A to D-. There are no commercially sold A+ rated items. To get an A+ rating means you would have to grow the organic food yourself. No food ever gets an “F” rating either because every food, even the poorest quality, has some nutrition.

Here are 20 popular items, the calories for each one and what is in them, so that you can decide for yourself if McDonald’s claim to use only quality ingredients is true and if the restaurant lives up to its current slogan theme, which is that people say “I’m Lovin’ It!”

20. Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait®

150 calories, 4 grams of protein, 4 grams of fat, and 30 grams of carbohydrates.

Ingredients: Low Fat Yogurt, Strawberries, Low Fat Crunchy Granola, Blueberries.

Here is what each ingredient contains:

Low Fat Yogurt: Cultured Pasteurized Grade-A Reduced Fat Milk, Sugar, Modified Food Starch, Fructose, Whey Protein Concentrate, Corn Starch, Gelatin, Natural Flavor, and Potassium Sorbate (a preservative).

Strawberries: Strawberries and Konjac Flour (flour made from a type of potato that is used as a thickening agent similar to pectin, another natural product used to make jams and jellies)

Low Fat Crunchy Granola: Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Brown Sugar, Crisp Rice (Rice Flour, Barley Malt Extract, Salt), Sugar, Corn Syrup, Sunflower Oil, Salt, Baking Soda, Citric Acid, Cinnamon, Crushed Oranges, Natural Flavor.

Blueberries: Blueberries

This is a sugary dessert masquerading as a healthy snack. The “low fat” label that is found on many products is misleading for many consumers. Low fat does not mean the product is not fattening when you eat it. The 30 grams of carbohydrates comes in part from 17 grams of added sugar. 30 grams of sugars is equivalent to six teaspoons. Most people would not put six teaspoons of sugar in a cup of coffee. This little parfait cup has so much sugar in it that it has 80% to 125% of the recommended daily allowance of sugar, which the American Heart Association says is 24 grams for an average woman and 37.5 grams for an average man.

Fooducate gives this product a C+, just slightly above average, when compared to other products in this category.

19. McFlurry® with Brownie Pieces or OREO® Cookie Pieces

510 calories, 12 grams of protein, 17 grams of fat, and 60 grams of carbohydrates.

Ingredients: Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream with Brownie Pieces or OREO® cookie pieces.

Here is what each ingredient contains:

Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream: Milk, Liquid Sucrose (Sugar, Water), Cream, Nonfat Milk Solids, Corn Syrup Solids, Mono- and Diglycerides, Guar Gum, Dextrose, Sodium Citrate, Artificial Vanilla Flavor, Sodium Phosphate, Carrageenan, Disodium Phosphate, Cellulose Gum, Vitamin A Palmitate.

OREO® Cookie Pieces: Unbleached Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Riboflavin [Vitamin B2], Folic Acid), Sugar, Palm and/or Canola Oil, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), High Fructose Corn Syrup, Leavening (Baking Soda and/or Calcium Phosphate), Cornstarch, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Vanillin (Artificial Flavor), Chocolate.

Since this is a desert, no one expects it to be good for their health; although it is very tasty. This one is ice cream with cookie bits in it. Other versions of the McFlurry are ice cream with candy in it.

Excessive intake of sugars is one of the main contributing factors for the dramatically increasing rates of diabetes. In the regular sized McFlurry® of this type, there is the equivalent of 16 teaspoons of sugar, which represents a whopping 250% of the recommended daily intake of sugars. This is not something you want to eat if you are on a diet.

It also contains Carrageenan, which was approved for use in foods by the FDA based on industry-financed studies and not by a review of independent studies. Carrageenan may cause intestinal problems for some people.

When compared to other products in this category, Fooducate gives this product a D+, which is worse than average.

18. McCafé® Shakes

There are vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry flavored shakes available. Green-colored Shamrock shakes (vanilla flavor with green food coloring) are popular around St. Patrick’s Day. For this example, we used chocolate, which is the most popular flavor.

Small Size:
530 calories, 12 grams of protein, 15 grams of fat, and 66 grams of carbohydrates.

Medium Size:
630 calories, 14 grams of protein, 18 grams of fat, and 79 grams of carbohydrates.

Large Size:
840 calories, 19 grams of protein, 23 grams of fat, and 107 grams of carbohydrates.

Ingredients: Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream, Chocolate Shake Syrup, and Whipped Topping (optional).

Here is what each ingredient contains:

Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream: Milk, Sugar, Cream, Corn Syrup, Natural Flavor, Mono and Diglycerides, Cellulose Gum, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate.

Chocolate Shake Syrup: High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Water, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Natural and Artificial Flavors, Caramel Color, Salt, Potassium Sorbate (a preservative), Artificial Flavor (Vanillin), Red 40.

Whipped Topping: Cream, Nonfat Milk, Corn Syrup, Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Contains 1% or Less: Mono-And Diglycerides, Carrageenan, Polysorbate 80, Beta Carotene (Color), Natural and Artificial Flavor, Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E) to Protect Flavor. Whipping Propellant (Nitrous Oxide).

A large size chocolate shake has the caloric equivalent of eating three cheeseburgers. These are so-called “empty” calories mostly because they come from carbohydrates, which in this case is the equivalent of having 30 teaspoons of sugar. That amount is five times the recommended daily intake. The large size also has about 88% of the recommended daily intake of saturated fat. This drink also contains Carrageenan, which may cause intestinal problems.

When compared to other products in this category, Fooducate gives this product a D, which is much worse than others.

17. McCafé® Mocha

Small size:
340 calories, 10 grams of protein, 11 grams of fat, and 48 grams of carbohydrates.

Medium Size:
410 calories, 12 grams of protein, 14 grams of fat, and 60 grams of carbohydrates.

Large size:
500 calories, 16 grams of protein, 17 grams of fat, and 72 grams of carbohydrates.

Ingredients: Whole Milk, Espresso, Chocolate Syrup, Whipped Topping, and Chocolate Drizzle.

Here is what each ingredient contains:

Whole Milk: Milk with Vitamin D3 added.

Espresso: Espresso.

Chocolate Syrup: Sugar, Water, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Chocolate Liquor, Caramel Color (with Sulfites), Vanilla Extract, Salt, Gellan Gum, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate (a preservative), Red 40, Soy Lecithin.

Whipped Topping: Cream, Nonfat Milk, Corn Syrup, Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Contains 1% or Less: Mono-And Diglycerides, Carrageenan, Polysorbate 80, Beta Carotene (Color), Natural and Artificial Flavor, Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E) to Protect Flavor. Whipping Propellant (Nitrous Oxide).

Chocolate Drizzle: Corn Syrup, Dextrose, Water, Sugar, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Modified Food Starch, Nonfat Milk, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Salt, Gellan Gum, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Sorbate (a preservative), Soy Lecithin, Artificial Flavor (Vanillin).

This product is very high in saturated fats because it contains fully hydrogenated oils. This drink also contains Carrageenan, which may cause intestinal problems.

A medium-sized McCafé® Mocha has the equivalent of 13.5 teaspoons of sugar, which is two and one-half times the recommended daily intake of sugars. Even the small size of this drink has twice the suggested daily amount of sugars. In comparison, a large regular Coca-Cola® has 300 calories, which is as much as a cheeseburger; however less than a small McCafé® Mocha.

Black coffee with no cream or sugar has zero calories. For those trying to reduce daily carbohydrate intake, developing a taste for plain black coffee is a very good idea. McDonald’s serves black coffee also.

When compared to other products in this category, Fooducate gives this product a D+, which is not as good as the average.

16. Filet-O-Fish®

390 calories, 17 grams of protein, 19 grams of fat, and 38 grams of carbohydrates

Ingredients: Fish Filet Patty, Regular Bun, Tartar Sauce, and Pasteurized Process American Cheese Half Slice.

Here is what each ingredient contains:

Fish Filet Patty: Pollock, Water, Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil), Wheat Flour, Modified Food Starch, Contains 2% or Less: Yellow Corn Flour, Bleached Wheat Flour, Salt, Whey (Milk), Dextrose, Dried Yeast, Sugar, Cellulose Gum, Paprika and Turmeric Extract (Color), and Natural Flavors.

Regular Bun: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Sugar, Yeast, Soybean Oil, Contains 2% or Less: Salt, Wheat Gluten, Potato Flour, May Contain One or More Dough Conditioners (DATEM, Ascorbic Acid, Mono and Diglycerides, Enzymes), and Calcium Propionate (a preservative).

Tartar Sauce: Soybean Oil, Pickle Relish (Diced Pickles, Vinegar, Salt, Capers, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate (a preservative), Calcium Chloride, Spice Extractives, Polysorbate 80), Egg Yolks, Water, Onions, Distilled Vinegar, Sugar, Spice, Salt, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate (a preservative), and Parsley.

Pasteurized Process American Cheese Half Slice: Milk, Cream, Water, Sodium Citrate, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Color Added, Sorbic Acid (Preservative), Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Acetic Acid, Enzymes, and Soy Lecithin.

McDonald’s proudly and rightfully boasts that the pollock fish are wild-caught and sourced from sustainable fisheries. A sustainable fishery is a dedicated area managed by a governmental authority, where the fish population is maintained in good condition by restrictions on the amount of fish that can be caught. This makes sustainable harvesting possible. That is a good thing.

This product is very high in saturated fats because it contains fully hydrogenated oils. There may be DATEM contained in the bun and the controversial additive TBHQ may be an ingredient in the oil they use to fry the fish patties.

DATEM is Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides and is used to make the dough have a uniform consistency and higher volume. The FDA approves of the use of DATEM for human consumption; however, in studies done with rats, DATEM caused adrenal overgrowth and heart muscle fibrosis.

TBHQ is tertiary butylhydroquinone. It is an antioxidant and a petroleum product. It is used to make lighter fluid. When added to oils it helps keep them from going rancid. At the dosage level of one-thirtieth of an ounce, TBHQ causes delirium, nausea, and ringing in the ears. Because of its toxicity, the FDA limits TBHQ to 0.02% by volume in oils. However; it is still poisonous.

In spite of the potential toxins, compared to other products in this category, Fooducate gives this product a C+, which is better than average.

15. McChicken®

350 calories, 15 grams of protein, 15 grams of fat, and 40 grams of carbohydrates.

Ingredients: McChicken Patty, Regular Bun, Shredded Lettuce, and Mayonnaise Dressing.

Here is what each ingredient contains:

McChicken® Patty: Boneless Chicken, Bleached Wheat Flour, Water, Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil), Wheat Flour, Modified Corn Starch, Sea Salt, Spice, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Paprika, Dextrose, Sodium Phosphates, Leavening (Ammonium Bicarbonate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Baking Soda, Monocalcium Phosphate), Wheat Gluten, Natural Flavors with Extractives of Paprika, Yeast, Corn Starch, Garlic Powder.

Regular Bun: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Sugar, Yeast, Soybean Oil, Contains 2% or Less: Salt, Wheat Gluten, Potato Flour, May Contain One or More Dough Conditioners (DATEM, Ascorbic Acid, Mono and Diglycerides, Enzymes), Calcium Propionate (Preservative).

Shredded Lettuce: Lettuce

Mayonnaise Dressing: Water, Soybean Oil, Maltodextrin, Modified Food Starch, Enzyme Modified Egg Yolk, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Sugar, Spices, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate (a preservative), Lemon Juice Concentrate, Polysorbate 80, Natural Flavor, Calcium Disodium EDTA to protect flavor.

This product has the same problems with DATEM and TBHQ as the Filet-O-Fish® because it uses the same type of bun and the chicken patty is fried in the same type of oil. The one distinctive thing about this product is that it has one ingredient that is simply what it says it is and nothing more. That is lettuce.

Compared to other products in this category, Fooducate gives this product a C+, which is a ranking that is better than average.

14. McRib®

480 calories, 25 grams of protein, 22 grams of fat, and 45 grams of carbohydrates.

Ingredients: McRib® Pork Patty, Home-style Roll, McRib® Sauce, Pickle Slices, and Slivered Onions.

Here is what each ingredient contains:

McRib® Pork Patty: Pork, Water, Salt, Dextrose, Rosemary Extract.

Home-style Roll: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Sugar, Yeast, Soybean Oil, Contains 2% or Less: Corn Meal, Salt, Wheat Gluten, Mono and Diglycerides, Enzymes, Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Propionate (a preservative).

McRib® Sauce: Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Tomato Paste, Distilled Vinegar, Molasses, Natural Smoke Flavor, Modified Food Starch, Salt, Sugar, Spices, Soybean Oil, Xanthan Gum, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Chili Pepper, Sodium Benzoate (a preservative), Caramel Color, Beet Powder.

Pickle Slices: Cucumbers, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Alum, Potassium Sorbate (a preservative), Natural Flavors, Polysorbate 80, Extractives of Turmeric (Color).

Slivered Onions: Onions.

This sandwich is very high in saturated fat. It contains the equivalent of three teaspoons of sugar and it is very salty, having over 40% of the recommended daily requirement for salt. It is not made from pork ribs. Instead, it is made from pork meat that is pressed into a shape that resembles a pork rib.

Compared to other products in this category, Fooducate gives this product a C.

13. Hamburger

280 calories, 13 grams of protein, 8 grams of fat, and 31 grams of carbohydrates.

Ingredients: Regular Bun, 100% Beef Patty, Ketchup, Pickle Slices, Onions, and Mustard.

Here is what each ingredient contains:

Regular Bun: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Sugar, Yeast, Soybean Oil, Contains 2% or Less: Salt, Wheat Gluten, Potato Flour, May Contain One or More Dough Conditioners (DATEM, Ascorbic Acid, Mono and Diglycerides, Enzymes), Calcium Propionate (a preservative).

100% Beef Patty: 100% Pure USDA Inspected Beef; No Fillers, No Extenders. Prepared with Grill Seasoning (Salt, Black Pepper).

Ketchup: Tomato Concentrate from Red Ripe Tomatoes, Distilled Vinegar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Water, Salt, Natural Flavors.

Pickle Slices: Cucumbers, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Alum, Potassium Sorbate (a preservative), Natural Flavors, Polysorbate 80, Extractives of Turmeric (Color).

Onions: Onions.

Mustard: Distilled Vinegar, Water, Mustard Seed, Salt, Turmeric, Paprika, Spice Extractive.

This is the one that started it all. Not much has changed to the style in the past 77 years; however, the additives changed. The bun may contain DATEM. Studies with rats show that DATEM may cause damage to the heart muscle and overgrowth of the adrenal gland. It is nice to see that the onions used are simply onions. There is no guarantee that they are not genetically modified since GMO labeling is not yet required for agricultural products.

Compared to other products in this category, Fooducate gives this product a C+ for being better than average. On the Fooducate scale, C+ was the top score for any food in this category making the McDonald’s hamburger the best in its class.

12. Quarter Pounder with Cheese

530 calories, 31 grams of protein, 27 grams of fat, and 41 grams of carbohydrates.

Ingredients: Quarter Pound 100% Beef Patty, Sesame Seed Bun, Pasteurized Process American Cheese, Ketchup, Pickle Slices, Slivered Onions, and Mustard.

Here is what each ingredient contains:

Quarter Pound 100% Beef Patty: 100% Pure USDA Inspected Beef; No Fillers, No Extenders. Prepared with Grill Seasoning (Salt, Black Pepper).

Sesame Seed Bun: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Sugar, Yeast, Soybean Oil, Contains 2% or Less: Salt, Wheat Gluten, Sesame Seeds, Potato Flour, May Contain One or More Dough Conditioners (DATEM, Ascorbic Acid, Mono and Diglycerides, Enzymes), Calcium Propionate (a preservative).

Pasteurized Process American Cheese: Milk, Cream, Water, Sodium Citrate, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Color Added, Sorbic Acid (Preservative), Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Acetic Acid, Enzymes, Soy Lecithin.

Ketchup: Tomato Concentrate from Red Ripe Tomatoes, Distilled Vinegar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Water, Salt, Natural Flavors.

Pickle Slices: Cucumbers, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Alum, Potassium Sorbate (a preservative), Natural Flavors, Polysorbate 80, Extractives of Turmeric (Color).

Slivered Onions: Onions.

Mustard: Distilled Vinegar, Water, Mustard Seed, Salt, Turmeric, Paprika, Spice Extractive.

This hamburger contains the equivalent of two and one-half teaspoons of sugar. The sugar is in the bun. The bun may also contain DATEM. Even though DATEM is FDA approved for use, research studies have discovered diseases that were caused by DATEM fed to rats. The Quarter Pounder with Cheese has 50% of the daily recommended allowance for saturated fats and 45% of the daily maximum allowance for salt.

Compared to other products in this category, Fooducate gives this product a D+ for being worse than average.

11. Hash Browns

150 calories, 1 gram of protein, 9 grams of fat, and 16 grams of carbohydrates.

Ingredients: Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Natural Beef Flavor [Wheat and Milk Derivatives]*), Salt, Corn Flour, Dehydrated Potato, Dextrose, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (Maintain Color), Extractives of Black Pepper. *Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients.

McDonald’s expanded their serving times for breakfast and now sells hash browns all day. This makes a good snack. It is low in carbohydrates because it has no added sugars, which makes it an unusual product because sugar is an ingredient in almost everything else. It has 14% of both the daily recommendation for fat and the daily recommendation for sodium (salt).

Fooducate gives this product the rating of a B, which is the top rating in this class.

10. McGriddles® Breakfast Sandwich

Sausage McGriddles® 430 calories, 11 gram of protein, 24 grams of fat, and 42 grams of carbohydrates.

Sausage, Egg, and Cheese McGriddles® 550 calories, 20 grams of protein, 32 grams of fat, and 45 grams of carbohydrates.

Ingredients: Griddle Cakes, Pasteurized Process American Cheese, Sausage Patty, Folded Egg, and Salted Butter

Here is what each ingredient contains:

Griddle Cakes: Water, Enriched Flour (Bleached Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sugar, Dextrose, Palm Oil, Contains 2% or Less: Brown Sugar, Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Modified Tapioca Starch, Rice Flour, Whey Powder, Salt, Natural Flavors (Plant and Dairy Sources) and Artificial Flavors, Buttermilk Powder, Soybean Oil, Caramel Color, Soy Lecithin.

Pasteurized Process American Cheese: Milk, Cream, Water, Sodium Citrate, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Color Added, Sorbic Acid (a preservative), Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Acetic Acid, Enzymes, Soy Lecithin.

Sausage Patty: Pork, Water, Seasoning (Salt, Corn Syrup Solids, Spices, Dextrose, Sugar, Spice Extractives, Preservatives (BHA, Citric Acid, and Propyl Gallate)

Folded Egg: Eggs, Nonfat Milk (Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3 Added), Modified Food Starch, Salt, Citric Acid, Soy Lecithin.

Salted Butter: Cream, Salt.

This product is two maple-flavored pancakes wrapped around a piece of sausage, or sausage (or bacon), egg, and cheese. It has the equivalent of four teaspoons of sugar, over 50% of the recommended daily amount of saturated fat from the use of fully hydrogenated oils, and over 50% of the maximum daily sodium (salt) intake that is recommended.

Compared to other products in this category, Fooducate gives this product a D+, which is much worse than the average.

9. Double Cheeseburger

430 calories, 25 grams of protein, 21 grams of fat, and 35 grams of carbohydrates.

Ingredients: 100% Beef Patty, Regular Bun, Pasteurized Process American Cheese, Pickle Slices, Ketchup, Onions, and Mustard.

Here is what each ingredient contains:

100% Beef Patty: 100% Pure USDA Inspected Beef; No Fillers, No Extenders. Prepared with Grill Seasoning (Salt, Black Pepper).

Regular Bun: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Sugar, Yeast, Soybean Oil, Contains 2% or Less: Salt, Wheat Gluten, Potato Flour, May Contain One or More Dough Conditioners (DATEM, Ascorbic Acid, Mono and Diglycerides, Enzymes), Calcium Propionate (a preservative).

Pasteurized Process American Cheese: Milk, Cream, Water, Sodium Citrate, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Color Added, Sorbic Acid (Preservative), Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Acetic Acid, Enzymes, Soy Lecithin.

Pickle Slices: Cucumbers, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Alum, Potassium Sorbate (a preservative), Natural Flavors, Polysorbate 80, Extractives of Turmeric (Color).

Ketchup: Tomato Concentrate from Red Ripe Tomatoes, Distilled Vinegar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Water, Salt, Natural Flavors

Onions: Onions.

Mustard: Distilled Vinegar, Water, Mustard Seed, Salt, Turmeric, Paprika, Spice Extractive.

In 2002, McDonald’s began to offer its “Dollar Menu”, with choices of value-priced products that featured the Double Cheeseburger. The Double Cheeseburger was the most popular item ordered from the Dollar Menu, stimulating three years of strong sales growth at McDonald’s restaurants. The Double Cheeseburger remains to this day one of the top-ten selling items at McDonald’s. While the profits from the sale of a Double Cheeseburger are only a few cents, the profits margins on sodas are around 90% and French fries around 55%. The idea was to lure customers in with an inexpensive cheeseburger, in the hopes that they also would buy a drink and fries to go with it. This marketing concept worked extremely well.

Compared to other products in this category, Fooducate gives this product a C-, which is about average.

8. Premium Salads – Bacon Ranch Grilled Chicken Salad

320 calories, 42 grams of protein, 14 grams of fat, and 9 grams of carbohydrates.

Ingredients: Artisan Grilled Chicken Fillet, Salad Blend, Grape Tomatoes, Thick Cut Applewood Smoked Bacon, Shredded Cheddar/Jack Cheese, and Grill Seasoning.

Here is what each ingredient contains:

Artisan Grilled Chicken Filet: Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast with Rib Meat, Water, Salt, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Honey, Onion Powder, Natural Flavor, Dried Vinegar, Rice Starch. Grilled with Clarified Butter (Pasteurized Milk [Butterfat]).

Salad Blend: Romaine Lettuce, Baby Spinach, Carrots, Baby Kale, Lollo Rossa Lettuce, Red Leaf Lettuce, Red Oak Lettuce, Red Tango Lettuce, Red Romaine Lettuce, Red Butter Lettuce. Ingredients May Vary.

Grape Tomatoes: Grape Tomato.

Thick Cut Applewood Smoked Bacon: Pork Bellies Cured with Water, Salt, Sugar, Natural Smoke Flavor, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite.

Shredded Cheddar/Jack Cheese: Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto [Color]), Monterey Jack Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes), Potato Starch, Corn Starch, Dextrose, Powdered Cellulose (Prevent Caking), Calcium Sulfate, Natamycin (Natural Mold Inhibitor), Enzyme.

Grill Seasoning: Salt, Pepper.

During 2003, McDonald’s added premium salads to its menu. This was a smart move in the face of growing trends toward healthier eating. Since then, it has sold close to one billion salads with no end in sight for this trend. McDonald’s is now the largest seller of salads in the world.

There are a few problems with this product. One is that is very high in saturated fat due to the salad dressings used and if meat is added. The second is it is very salty. On average, each salad provides over half of the daily recommended maximum intake for salt. This means if you are on a salt-restricted diet you should be careful about eating these salads. On the other hand, these premium salads are one of the healthiest choices on the McDonald’s menu.

Compared to other products in this category, Fooducate gives this product a C-, which is worse than average for this category. However, if you order a plain Bacon Ranch Salad without the grilled chicken, the calories go down from 320 to 140 and the rating rises to a B, which is the very best in its class.

7. Chicken McNuggets® (four pieces)

180 calories, 10 grams of protein, 11 grams of fat, and 11 grams of carbohydrates (without any dipping sauce).

Ingredients: White Boneless Chicken, Water, Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil), Enriched Flour (Bleached Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Bleached Wheat Flour, Yellow Corn Flour, Vegetable Starch (Modified Corn, Wheat, Rice, Pea, Corn), Salt, Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Calcium Lactate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Spices, Yeast Extract, Lemon Juice Solids, Dextrose, Natural Flavors.

Chicken McNuggets® were first offered on the McDonald’s menu during 1983. Within three years, this product accounted for over 7% of the total sales in North America. Chicken McNuggets® are immensely popular, especially among children.

This is a highly processed product that contains fully hydrogenated oils due to the way it is fried. A small serving has few calories and there is no added sugar, which is a good thing. However, few people can eat just four of these and some opt for an order of 20 or more (sizes up to 50 are available). If you add a dipping sauce, as most people do, such as McDonald’s Creamy Ranch Sauce, the calories go up by 110.

Compared to other products in this category, Fooducate gives this product a C+ for being about average.

6. Baked Apple Pie and Apple Slices

Apple Pie – 230 calories, 2 grams of protein, 10 grams of fat, and 32 grams of carbohydrates.

Ingredients: Apples (Apples, Salt, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid), Enriched Flour (Bleached Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Palm Oil, Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Contains 2% or Less: Modified Food Starch, Sorbitol, Dextrose, Brown Sugar, Yeast, Salt, Cinnamon, Apple Powder (Dehydrated Apples, Citric Acid), Sodium Alginate, Spice, Trisodium Citrate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Hydroxylated Soy Lecithin, Yeast Extract, Enzyme, L-Cysteine, Color (Annatto, Turmeric, Beta Carotene, Caramel Color).

Apple Slices – 15 calories, 0 grams of protein, 0 grams of fat, and 4 grams of carbohydrates.

Ingredients: Apples, Calcium Ascorbate (a blend of Calcium and Vitamin C to maintain freshness and color).

The Baked Apple Pie has natural sugars from the apples plus added sugars. Each pie contains the equivalent of three and one-half teaspoons of sugar. It contains the artificial sweetener Sorbitol, which is a laxative. It also contains 16% of the daily recommended amount of fiber, which is a good thing. It is high in saturated fat and contains about 29% of the recommended daily allowance of saturated fat.

The Apple Slices are simply apples with a preservative added so they do not change color. After McDonald’s introduced the apple slices it now sells more apple products than any other restaurant chain in the world.

Compared to other products in this category, Fooducate gives Baked Apple Pie a C+ for being much better than average and gives Apple Slices an A-, which is close to that highest ranking possible (A) on Fooducate, making this product an excellent choice for a low-calorie healthy snack as long as you avoid the caramel dip, which is solid sugar.

5. Egg McMuffin®

290 calories, 17 grams of protein, 12 grams of fat, and 29 grams of carbohydrate.

Ingredients: English Muffin, Egg, Canadian Bacon, Pasteurized Process American Cheese, Salted Butter, and Clarified Butter.

Here is what each ingredient contains:

English Muffin®: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Yeast, Yellow Corn Meal (Degermed Yellow Corn Meal and Corn Flour), Contains 2% or Less: Sugar, Soybean Oil, Salt, Dough Conditioners (Mono-, Di- and Tricalcium Phosphate, DATEM, Ascorbic Acid, Enzymes, Ethylated Mono and Digylcerides), Wheat Gluten, Calcium Propionate (a preservative), Citric Acid, Calcium Citrate, Baking Soda, Fumaric Acid.

Egg: USDA Grade A Eggs.

Canadian Bacon: Pork Cured with Water, Sugar, Salt, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Phosphate, Natural Flavor, Sodium Diacetate and Sodium Nitrite (preservatives).

Pasteurized Process American Cheese: Milk, Cream, Water, Sodium Citrate, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Color Added, Sorbic Acid (a preservative), Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Acetic Acid, Enzymes, Soy Lecithin.

Salted Butter: Cream, Salt.

Clarified Butter: Pasteurized Cream (Butterfat).

This product contains DATEM, which may be harmful. It is very high in saturated fat because it is cooked using fully hydrogenated oils. It is salty, with over 30% of the daily maximum recommendation for salt. If you add sausage to this sandwich, it adds 180 calories, 13 extra grams of protein, and 18 extra grams of fat.

The idea for the Egg McMuffin® was invented by Herb Peterson in 1971. He was a McDonald’s franchisee. Patty Turner, who was married to McDonald’s president Fred Turner came up with the name. McDonald’s had a tremendous advantage over the competing fast-food restaurants because others did not add a breakfast menu for about ten years. McDonald’s is the largest fast-food server of breakfast, which now accounts for around 15% of the restaurant chain’s total sales.

Compared to other products in this category, Fooducate gives this product a C for being about average.

4. Happy Meal®

A Happy Meal® ranges in calories from about 470 to 539. For example, with kid-sized fries, a hamburger, apple slices, and kid-sized regular Coke, it has 470 calories, with 14 grams of fat (4 grams of saturated fat). A Happy Meal ® with McNuggets®, kid-sized fries, and kid-sized regular Coke has 520 calories, with 23 grams of fat (3.5 grams of saturated fat). The average carbohydrates are 61 grams! Yikes, that is way too much sugar. This is more than five times the recommended daily allowance of the American Heart Association for sugar intake by younger children.

Ingredients: Kid-Sized French Fries, a choice of one of each of these three categories: 1) a Cheeseburger, Hamburger or Chicken McNuggets®; 2) Apple Slices, Yoplait Go-GURT Low-Fat Strawberry Yogurt, or Cuties (mandarin orange slices); and 3) 1% Low Fat Milk Jug, Minute Maid® Apple Juice Box, and Fat-Free Chocolate Milk Jug. Plus a small toy.

Here is what each ingredient contains:

Kid-Sized French Fries: Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Natural Beef Flavor [Wheat and Milk Derivatives]*), Dextrose, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (Maintain Color), Salt. *Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients.

Cheeseburger: 100% Beef Patty, Regular Bun, Pasteurized Process American Cheese, Pickle Slices, Ketchup, Onions, and Mustard. See item #9 on this list for detailed ingredients.

Hamburger: Regular Bun, 100% Beef Patty, Ketchup, Pickle Slices, Onions, and Mustard. See item #13 on this list for detailed ingredients.

Chicken McNuggets®: See item #13 on this list for detailed ingredients.

Apple Slices: Apples, Calcium Ascorbate (a blend of Calcium and Vitamin C to maintain freshness and color).

Yoplait Go-GURT Low-Fat Strawberry Yogurt: Cultured Pasteurized Grade A Low Fat Milk, Sugar, Modified Corn Starch, Gelatin, Nonfat Milk, Natural Flavor, Tricalcium Phosphate, Colored with Beet Juice, Potassium Sorbate added to maintain freshness, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3.

Cuties: Mandarin orange slices

1% Low Fat Milk Jug: Low Fat Milk, Non-Fat Milk, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3.

Minute Maid® Apple Juice Box: Pure Filtered Water, Concentrated Apple Juice, less than 0.5% of Calcium Citrate (Calcium Source), Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Potassium Phosphate.

Fat-Free Chocolate Milk Jug: Nonfat Milk, Liquid Sucrose, Fructose, Cocoa, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Natural Flavor, Salt, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3.

The Happy Meal® first appeared on the McDonald’s menu during 1979. Since that time, more than four billion have been sold in just the United States alone. The sale of this product represents about 20% of the total sales for McDonald’s.

Fooducate only rates the individual items but does not rate the Happy Meal® in total because of all the various choices.

3. Mac Snack Wrap®

340 calories, 15 grams of protein, 20 grams of fat, and 26 grams of carbohydrates.

Ingredients: Flour Tortilla, Quarter Pound 100% Beef Patty, Shredded Lettuce, Big Mac Sauce, Pickle Slices, Pasteurized Process American Cheese, and Onions

Here is what each ingredient contains:

Flour Tortilla: Enriched Flour (Bleached Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Shortening (Intereserified Soybean Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil), Contains 2% or Less: Sugar, Leavening (Baking Soda, Corn Starch, Sodium Aluminum Sulfate, Calcium Sulfate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Salt, Mono-diglycerides, Vital Wheat Gluten, Dough Conditioner (Sodium Metabisulfite, Corn Starch, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Dicalcium Phosphate).

Quarter Pound 100% Beef Patty: 100% Pure USDA Inspected Beef; No Fillers, No Extenders. Prepared with Grill Seasoning (Salt, Black Pepper).

Shredded Lettuce: Lettuce.

Big Mac Sauce: Soybean Oil, Pickle Relish (Diced Pickles, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sugar, Vinegar, Corn Syrup, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate [a preservative], Spice Extractives, Polysorbate 80), Distilled Vinegar, Water, Egg Yolks, Onion Powder, Spices, Salt, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Sodium Benzoate (a preservative), Mustard Bran, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Vegetable Protein (Hydrolyzed Corn, Soy and Wheat), Caramel Color, Extractives of Paprika, Soy Lecithin, Turmeric (Color), Calcium Disodium EDTA (Protect Flavor).

Pickle Slices: Cucumbers, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Alum, Potassium Sorbate (a preservative), Natural Flavors, Polysorbate 80, Extractives of Turmeric (Color).

Pasteurized Process American Cheese: Milk, Cream, Water, Sodium Citrate, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Color Added, Sorbic Acid (Preservative), Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Acetic Acid, Enzymes, Soy Lecithin.

Onions: Onions.

McDonald’s created the Snack Wrap to appeal to millennials. Younger people from the ages of 18 to 24 like it, as opposed to a traditional hamburger. If you look at the ingredients it is simply a hamburger wrapped in a tortilla instead of being served on a hamburger bun. This product comes in many varieties, chicken wrap, grilled chicken wrap, spicy chicken wrap, Angus beef wrap etc. and is a huge hit. From the year after it was introduced in 2006, it sold over 500 million and continues to hold third place in the top-ten selling items in North America.

Compared to other products in this category, Fooducate gives this product a D, which is much worse than average. A burger in a tortilla is still essentially a burger and not any healthier.

2. Big Mac®

540 calories, 25 grams of protein, 28 grams of fat, and 46 grams of carbohydrates.

Ingredients: Big Mac Bun, 100% Beef Patty, Shredded Lettuce, Big Mac Sauce, Pasteurized Process American Cheese, and Pickle Slices.

Here is what each ingredient contains:

Big Mac® Bun: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Sugar, Yeast, Soybean Oil, Contains 2% or Less: Salt, Wheat Gluten, Sesame Seeds, Potato Flour, May Contain One or More Dough Conditioners (DATEM, Ascorbic Acid, Mono and Diglycerides, Enzymes), Calcium Propionate (Preservative).

100% Beef Patty: 100% Pure USDA Inspected Beef; No Fillers, No Extenders. Prepared with Grill Seasoning (Salt, Black Pepper).

Shredded Lettuce: Lettuce.

Big Mac® Sauce: Soybean Oil, Pickle Relish (Diced Pickles, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sugar, Vinegar, Corn Syrup, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate [a preservative], Spice Extractives, Polysorbate 80), Distilled Vinegar, Water, Egg Yolks, Onion Powder, Spices, Salt, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Sodium Benzoate (a preservative), Mustard Bran, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Vegetable Protein (Hydrolyzed Corn, Soy and Wheat), Caramel Color, Extractives of Paprika, Soy Lecithin, Turmeric (Color), Calcium Disodium EDTA (Protect Flavor).

Pasteurized Process American Cheese: Milk, Cream, Water, Sodium Citrate, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Color Added, Sorbic Acid (Preservative), Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Acetic Acid, Enzymes, Soy Lecithin.

Pickle Slices: Cucumbers, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Alum, Potassium Sorbate (a preservative), Natural Flavors, Polysorbate 80, Extractives of Turmeric (Color).

Onions: Onions.

During 1968, a franchisee of McDonald’s, Jim Delligatti, invented the Big Mac®. It was an immediate sensation and the chain started selling them nationally.

In 1974, the advertising agency from New York called Needham Harper & Steers came up with the catchy jingle of “Twoallbeefpattiesspecialsaucelettucecheesepicklesonionsonasesameseedbun,” describing the ingredients. Just about anyone who was old enough to be alive at that time can probably recite this jingle from memory.

The nutritional complaints abut this huge burger with 540 calories is the use of DATEM to make the bun and that it contains the equivalent of two and one-half teaspoons of sugar. Moreover, it has of 50% of the daily recommended level of saturated fats and over 40% of the maximum level of salt recommended.

Nevertheless, the Big Mac® remains popular and is the #2 best-seller for the restaurant chain. If the Big Mac® is not big enough for you, there is the new Grand Mac® with 840 calories, 41 grams of protein, 52 grams of fat, and 62 grams of carbohydrates. The heart starts to palpitate just thinking abut eating one of those.

1. French Fries (small size)

230 calories, 3 grams of protein, 11 grams of fat, and 29 grams of carbohydrates.

Ingredients: Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Natural Beef Flavor [Wheat and Milk Derivatives]*), Dextrose, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (Maintain Color), Salt. *Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients.

Ever since McDonald’s started during the 1940s, in San Bernardino, California, its French fries have been the most popular item on the menu. They have a distinctive flavor that is quite different from any other fast-food chain. This comes from the addition of beef flavor. This ingredient got the company into trouble and they were sued by vegetarians because, at first, McDonald’s did not reveal this “secret” ingredient fearing that the competition would copy the recipe.

In 2002, McDonald’s settled the lawsuit for US$10 million and then publicly revealed all the ingredients for all of its food. McDonald’s kept the same recipe for the French fries that was the basis for so much of its success. A Zagat survey conducted during 2007, ranked McDonald’s fries as tasting the best by 63% of those surveyed. Burger King and Wendy’s were tied in second place at a measly 10% each.

McDonald’s serves about 10 million pounds of French fries every day. Fooducate rates them as C- for their category, which is about average in terms of nutritional values.

Summary

There are many alternative healthcare practitioners and nutritionists that complain about how unhealthy the food served at McDonald’s is. Most of these complaints can be made about virtually any processed food. As you can see, there are up to eleven ingredients in the French fries, which could otherwise be simply potatoes, oil (pick one), and salt. Of course, the beef flavor is what makes them so special.

The main complaint that is a very valid one is the excessive use of sugar especially added sugar. The American Heart Association (AHA) gives these recommendations for the maximum amount of added sugars to eat in one day, which are: 37.5 grams or 9 teaspoons for men and boys nine years old or older, 25 grams or 6 teaspoons for women and girls nine years old or older, 17 grams or 4 teaspoons for pre-school children, and 17 grams or 4 teaspoons for children from the ages of four to eight years old.

Except for black coffee and hash browns, pretty much every other McDonald’s product has too much sugar in it. Even the salads have too much sugar if you use the salad dressings on them.

The addiction to sugar and over-use of sugar are responsible for the dramatic increase in obesity and diabetes in America. The problem is not just with food from McDonald’s. The problem is systemic. One is hard-pressed to find anything in a regular grocery store in North America that does not contain sugar.

If, as a society, we want to improve our overall health, the goal for McDonald’s and everyone else is to reduce the added sugars dramatically, not just cut them in half but cut them down to about one-tenth of what an average person is currently eating. If we can do that then we all will be “lovin’ it.”

Sources: statista.com, reuters.com, mcdonalds.com, vancouversun.com, fooducate.com