The Worst McDonald’s Menu Items Health Experts Say You Should Never Order
Most people know that fast food is never exactly the healthiest option around. However, some meals are better than others. While there are some fast food meals that can help you stay on track with your health goals, others should be avoided as much as possible if you’re trying to keep your wellness in check. McDonald’s is one of the most notoriously unhealthy restaurants out there—but which of their items are the worst? Below, we’ll dive into a few of the most detrimental choices on their menu, from Big Macs to Hot Cakes.
1. Big Mac
The Big Mac is perhaps the most iconic item on the McDonald's menu. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most unhealthy. Clocking in at 590 calories, 11g of saturated fat, and a whopping 1,050mg of sodium, you're better off steering clear of this burger.
"The Big Mac itself is a calorie-dense option with two beef patties, special sauce, cheese, and high levels of unhealthy saturated fats and sodium," Lisa Richards, nutritionist and creator of The Candida Diet says. And if you get a meal with a soda and fries, you're setting yourself up for an even bigger effect on your health, especially when it comes to your heart. "This combination of high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sodium items promotes an unbalanced diet that is not conducive to maintaining a healthy weight or supporting cardiovascular well-being," Richards concludes.
2. Caramel Frappe
If you may need a bit of a pick-me-up, you may think that a frappe is a great way to have a treat while getting your caffeine fix. However, the high sugar and calorie content of McDonald's Caramel Frappe makes it a poor choice for your health. Believe it or not, just one of these beverages (medium) packs in 62g of sugar and 490 calories.
Experts recommending any sort of blended coffee for this reason. All that sugar can lead to a range of health issues, especially when you have it first thing in the morning. "The sugar used is usually in the form of fructose, which the body cannot easily recognize, further slowing down metabolism," says Rachel Scott, medical practitioner and Co-Founder of National TASC. "This sugar then is directly converted into fats and not immediately used as a sugar source." All in all, it's best to take your coffee black.
3. Sausage Egg & Cheese McGriddle
Craving something greasy for breakfast? We feel you—but ordering a McGriddle may not be the best idea for your body. The Sausage Egg & Cheese McGriddle, for example, contains 550 calories, 33g fat, and 1290mg sodium. Yikes! That already puts you at over half the recommended daily intake of sodium for adults (2,300mg). Consuming too much salt can result in serious health risks, including heart attack, high blood pressure, and more.
Ground sausage, in particular, is one type of meat experts recommend avoiding. "Ground sausage is often considered an artery-clogging meat due to its high content of saturated fat and cholesterol," Richards warns. "Sausage is often processed with additives, preservatives, and high levels of sodium, which can exacerbate these health concerns by contributing to hypertension and water retention." You're better off sticking to lean proteins for breakfast!
4. Breakfast With Hot Cakes
If you prefer sweeter breakfasts, hot cakes may be your meal of choice. Unfortunately, though, these are another health risk waiting to happen. The Hot Cakes meal at McDonald's contains 1,340 calories, 63g fat, and 2,070mg sodium. Say it ain't so! That's nearly double the fat content of a Big Mac.
"Eating this regularly can be detrimental to your health," Katie Tomaschko, a registered dietitian and nutritionist warns. "At 1,340 calories per meal, this singular meal has a little over half of your recommended daily calories," which could "lead to weight gain, obesity, and even morbid obesity." We'll take some fiber-rich fruit, instead.
