Introduction
McDonald’s is one of the most popular fast food restaurants in the world. While it may be convenient and tasty, there are some menu items that you should avoid. From unhealthy ingredients to high calorie counts, these 10 McDonald’s menu items are ones you should never order. From the Big Breakfast with Hotcakes to the McFlurry, these items are not only unhealthy, but they can also be loaded with calories and fat. Read on to find out which McDonald’s menu items you should avoid.
10 McDonald’s Menu Items You Should Never Order
McDonald’s is one of the most popular fast-food restaurants in the world. But not all of their menu items are created equal. Here are 10 McDonald’s menu items you should never order.
1. Big Breakfast with Hotcakes
This meal is a whopping 1,150 calories and contains a whopping 57 grams of fat. It also contains a whopping 2,370 milligrams of sodium, which is more than the recommended daily allowance.
2. Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese
This burger contains 740 calories and 40 grams of fat. It also contains 1,310 milligrams of sodium, which is more than half of the recommended daily allowance.
3. Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit
This breakfast sandwich contains 530 calories and 30 grams of fat. It also contains 1,360 milligrams of sodium, which is more than half of the recommended daily allowance.
4. McFlurry with M&M’s
This dessert contains 530 calories and 20 grams of fat. It also contains 130 milligrams of sodium, which is more than half of the recommended daily allowance.
5. Filet-O-Fish
This sandwich contains 390 calories and 19 grams of fat. It also contains 810 milligrams of sodium, which is more than half of the recommended daily allowance.
6. 20-Piece McNuggets
This meal contains 1,040 calories and 60 grams of fat. It also contains 1,820 milligrams of sodium, which is more than the recommended daily allowance.
7. Premium Bacon Ranch Salad with Buttermilk Crispy Chicken
This salad contains 610 calories and 37 grams of fat. It also contains 1,420 milligrams of sodium, which is more than half of the recommended daily allowance.
8. Hot Fudge Sundae
This dessert contains 330 calories and 14 grams of fat. It also contains 140 milligrams of sodium, which is more than half of the recommended daily allowance.
9. Large French Fries
This side dish contains 510 calories and 24 grams of fat. It also contains 270 milligrams of sodium, which is more than half of the recommended daily allowance.
10. McChicken
This sandwich contains 380 calories and 18 grams of fat. It also contains 860 milligrams of sodium, which is more than half of the recommended daily allowance.
There’s no doubt McDonald’s is the biggest player in the fast-food game. With 69 million customers served each day and more than 35,000 restaurants worldwide, you’re bound to be within at least a few miles of the golden arches at any one time. With so many convenient locations (and tasty fries, of course), there’s no shame in hitting up the drive-thru every once in a while—unless you’re planning on ordering one of these 10 McDonald’s menu items.
Despite its bad rap, it is actually possible to eat healthy at McDonald’s. Unfortunately, a McFlurry with M&Ms and a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese don’t make the cut. If you find yourself at a Mickey D’s, be sure to stay away from these fattening, sugary, and high-sodium monstrosities. Then, be sure to read up on our list of the 100 Unhealthiest Foods on the Planet.
Not That! The 10 Worst Orders at McDonald’s
740 calories, 42 g fat (20 g saturated fat, 2.5 g trans fat), 1,360 mg sodium, 43 g carbs (2 g fiber, 10 g sugar), 49 g protein
A quarter pounder with cheese is caloric enough; doubling that sandwich gives you a half-pound of beef and more saturated fat than you need in a day. There’s no reason to eat that much beef just at lunchtime.
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1,340 calories, 63 g fat (25 g saturated fat, 0.5 g trans fat), 2,070 mg sodium, 158 g carbs (5 g fiber, 48 g sugar), 36 g protein
If you’re looking to eat your entire day’s worth of fat, sodium, and sugar just at breakfast, then order the Big Breakfast with Hotcakes. With 5 grams over your recommended daily saturated fat allowance and enough calories to cover breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this meal will start your day off on the wrong foot.
Large size: 670 calories, 27 g fat (17 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 200 mg sodium, 96 g carbs, (0 g fiber, 89 g sugar), 11 g protein
If you think you need a big hit of caffeine in the morning to get your day going, you’re going to want to skip this McCafé drink. This blended drink is made with rich caramel flavor and a hint of coffee and is topped with whipped cream and a caramel drizzle. You’re just guzzling sugar here—a shocking 89 grams.
Regular size: 640 calories, 21 g fat (14 g saturated, 0.5 trans fat), 200 mg sodium, 96 g carbs (2 g fiber, 83 g sugar), 13 g protein
The McFlurry may be an iconic dessert offering at McDonald’s, but with a sweet ice cream base and even more sugar mixed in, this clocks in at a whopping 83 grams of sugar — almost as much as seven McDonald’s Baked Apple Pies! Since the FDA recommends no more than 50 grams of added sugar per day, this is a hard pass.
630 calories, 35 g fat (15 g saturated fat, 1.5 g trans fat), 1,470 mg sodium, 43 g carbs (3 g fiber, 10 g sugar), 36 g protein
The Big Mac has nothing on this single patty item. McDonald’s adds bacon and two slices of American cheese to their quarter pounder, but they did so in classic supersize fashion: by creating a monstrosity of calories, fat, sodium, and carbs. If an indulgent burger is what you’re looking for, stick to the classic Big Mac to save 100 calories, 6 grams of both fat and saturated fat, and 540 milligrams of sodium.
490 calories, 23 g fat (3 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 400 mg sodium, 66 g carbs (6 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 7 g protein
McDonald’s is known for its world-famous fries, but it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. One large order will set you back almost 500 calories—more than a double cheeseburger! That’s not to say you have to give up these tasty French fries for good. Stick to a small order for just 220 calories, 10 grams of fat (1.5 grams saturated), 29 grams of carbs (3 grams of fiber, 0 grams of sugar), and 3 grams of protein.
Per 3 hotcakes, syrup, and butter: 580 calories, 15 g fat (6 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 550 mg sodium, 101 g carbs (2 g fiber, 45 g sugar), 9 g protein
This meal seems simple enough, but it packs almost your entire day’s worth of sugar and more than 101 grams of carbs. Eating something with so many simple carbohydrates so early in the morning sets your body up for an extreme blood sugar spike, leading to an even worse crash. Cue the feelings of tiredness and cravings for more unhealthy sweets.
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Per small: 520 calories, 14 g fat (9 g saturated fat, 0.5 g trans fat), 250 mg sodium, 85 g carbs (1 g fiber, 67 g sugar), 12 g protein
Even if you order the small, you’re still getting more calories than a double cheeseburger and as much sugar as seven glazed Krispy Kreme donuts. (Nab a large, and you’ll gulp down a staggering 830 calories and 110 grams of sugar.) In comparison, a small chocolate Frosty at Wendy’s has just 340 calories.
530 calories, 34 g fat (15 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 1,140 mg sodium, 38 g carbs (2 g fiber, 3 g sugar), 17 g protein
Not only does this sandwich pack half a day’s worth of fat, but it’s also a sodium bomb. Yikes!
540 calories, 26 g fat (4 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 1,150 mg sodium, 48 g carbs (2 g fiber, 10 g sugar), 27 g protein
At fast-food chains, “crispy” is just code for “breaded with sugar and fried in fat.” Not only does this sandwich deep fry this chicken patty, but it’s also topped with a heaping scoop of spicy mayo dressing. Plus, it has over 1,000 milligrams of sodium in one sandwich, which is exactly half of the allotted sodium you should limit in a day.
Eat This! The Best Orders from McDonald’s
Not everything from McDonald’s is bad for your waistline. In fact, there are quite a few better-for-you options that can fit nicely into your weight-loss plan, from breakfast to dessert. Check out these healthier McDonald’s menu items that are Eat This, Not That! approved.
400 calories, 20 g fat (9 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 920 mg sodium, 33 g carbs (2 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 22 g protein
You can still enjoy two patties of beef without going overboard on the calories and fat. Ranked as our #1 best McDonald’s Main, the McDouble has 23 grams of protein for just 400 calories and 20 grams of fat. Although there isn’t as much fiber as we’d like (the only toppings are some pickles and onions), it does have 340 fewer calories than a Double Quarter Pounder with cheese and 50 fewer calories than the Double Cheeseburger, making it the much smarter choice.
310 calories, 13 g fat (6 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 770 mg sodium, 30 g carbs (2 g fiber, 3 g sugar), 17 g protein
The Egg McMuffin consistently ranks as one of our favorite menu items at McDonald’s.
“The sandwich only has 310 calories and it offers 17 grams of satiety-providing protein,” says Christine M. Palumbo, MBA, RDN, FAND, a Chicago-area registered dietitian and nutrition communications consultant. She likes it even better than the Egg White Delight. “I stick with the whole egg sandwich because the yolk contains carotenoids, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals,” says Palumbo. It’s a classic breakfast sandwich that can’t be beat!
1 Soft Baked Chocolate Chip Cookie: 170 calories, 8 g fat (4 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 95 mg sodium, 22 g carbs (0 g fiber, 15 g sugar), 2 g protein
Who says you can’t have dessert? The chocolate chip cookie, overall, is a pretty good steal for a fast-food dessert, considering the small chocolate shake packs five times that amount.
250 calories, 9 g fat (3.5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 510 mg sodium, 31 g carbs (1 g fiber, 6 g sugar), 12 g protein
The McDonald’s classic is still a good option, especially for less than 300 calories.
“Every so often, when I have a long drive and can’t pack food or snacks, McDonald’s is where I go,” says Toby Amidor, MS, RD. She stands behind the original burger. “l order a kid’s meal comprised of a hamburger, small order of fries, a bottle of water, and a Cuties clementine. Then you have a meal with a decent 390 calories and 13 grams of fat.”
6-piece: 250 calories, 15 g fat (2.5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 500 mg sodium, 15 g carbs (1 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 14 g protein
Probably didn’t expect to see this menu favorite on the “best” list, did you? These little guys aren’t terrible for you if eaten plain. In fact, they’re one of our best-ranked fast-food chicken nuggets. We just wish the fat count were a little lower, so be careful when choosing dipping sauces: BBQ or honey mustard are the better choices.
230 calories, 11 g fat (6 g saturated, 0 g trans fat), 100 mg sodium, 33 g carbs, (1 g fiber, 14 g sugar), 2 g protein
This apple pie dessert seems indulgent, but it has less than 14 grams of sugar and comes in at less than 250 calories. It’s also topped with an all-natural sugar and cinnamon blend.
Per medium: 120 calories, 6 g fat (3.5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 90 mg sodium, 10 g carbs (0 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 6 g protein
When it comes to something to drink at McDonald’s, the obviously healthy choice is water. But we all know that’s not always going to cut it. At that point, your next best choice on the McCafe menu for a drink that’s under 30 grams of sugar per serving is going to be an unsweetened iced latte. You’ll get a touch of sweetness, creaminess, and a hit of caffeine.