{"id":18370,"date":"2024-04-18T16:41:02","date_gmt":"2024-04-18T16:41:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/?p=18370"},"modified":"2024-04-18T16:58:24","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T16:58:24","slug":"8-healthy-mcdonalds-food-orders-according-to-a-dietitian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/everything-else\/8-healthy-mcdonalds-food-orders-according-to-a-dietitian\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Healthy McDonald\u2019s Food Orders, According to a Dietitian"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"502\" src=\"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/healthy-options-at-mcdonalds-1024x643-1.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image\" alt=\"8 Healthy McDonald&#039;s Food According to a Dietitian\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/healthy-options-at-mcdonalds-1024x643-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/healthy-options-at-mcdonalds-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/healthy-options-at-mcdonalds-768x482.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/healthy-options-at-mcdonalds.png 1504w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s face it: McDonald\u2019s is everywhere. Whether you\u2019re making a quick Micky D\u2019s run to fuel up for a busy day or your body is craving the McNuggets you fell in love with as a kid, it\u2019s normal to dine now and then at one of the most recognizable fast-food chains on the planet.<\/p>\n<p>The good news is that you\u2019ll find some healthy options at McDonald\u2019s that will let you enjoy your favorite fast-food restaurant without derailing your nutrition and weight loss progress.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-can-you-be-healthy-eating-mcdonald-s\">Can You Be Healthy Eating McDonald\u2019s?<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/health.clevelandclinic.org\/heres-how-fast-food-can-affect-your-body\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fast food<\/a> is often high in sodium, calories, and fat. Too many of these things can affect both your mental and physical health. That\u2019s why moderation is key. If you crave those iconic fries or a classic burger, it\u2019s okay to indulge once in a while. Making smart choices and simple swaps at fast-food joints like McDonald\u2019s means you can still honor your cravings in a way that feels good for your mind and body.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some handy things to remember the next time you order at McDonald\u2019s:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The chicken menu items are usually just as high in protein as the beefy burgers but often have less fat.<\/li>\n<li>It can be tempting to supersize your meal, but sticking to smaller portions will help you feel good about your choices later.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-8-healthy-mcdonald-s-food-and-meals-according-to-a-dietitian\">8 Healthy McDonald\u2019s Food and Meals According to a Dietitian<\/h2>\n<p>Daisy Mercer is a registered dietitian who works with MyFitnessPal. We asked her what she looks for when considering the healthiest McDonald\u2019s items.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe healthiest options, in my view, tend to include more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.annualreviews.org\/doi\/abs\/10.1146\/annurev-food-111519-014337\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u2018whole\u2019 ingredients<\/a>, with options for reduced serving sizes (4-piece instead of 10) as well as a lower calorie count (400ish and below),\u201d Mercer explains.<\/p>\n<p>Keeping that in mind, some of the healthiest options we\u2019ve chosen are ones that follow Mercer\u2019s guidelines. We\u2019ve covered you for breakfast, lunch, and dinner so that you can enjoy McDonald\u2019s anytime!<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/MAR-1467_McD_Blog_Healthiest-1024x1024-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-55186\" srcset=\"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/MAR-1467_McD_Blog_Healthiest-1024x1024-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/MAR-1467_McD_Blog_Healthiest-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/MAR-1467_McD_Blog_Healthiest-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/MAR-1467_McD_Blog_Healthiest-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/MAR-1467_McD_Blog_Healthiest-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/MAR-1467_McD_Blog_Healthiest-2048x2048.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-fruit-and-maple-oatmeal\">1. Fruit and maple oatmeal<\/h3>\n<p>Snag a McDonald\u2019s healthy breakfast and start your day with a bowl of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcdonalds.com\/us\/en-us\/product\/fruit-maple-oatmeal.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fruit and maple oatmeal<\/a>. Oats have tons of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8625765\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">health benefits<\/a> since they\u2019re high in antioxidants, are a source of whole-grain fiber, and can help lower cholesterol. For these reasons, oatmeal is considered one of the healthiest breakfast items to help you start your day.<\/p>\n<p>This oatmeal has 320 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, and six grams of protein, making it an all-around healthy choice.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-egg-mcmuffin\">2. Egg McMuffin<\/h3>\n<p>If you like a savory fast-food breakfast, opt for the original <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcdonalds.com\/us\/en-us\/product\/egg-mcmuffin.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Egg McMuffin<\/a>. It has 310 calories, 13 grams of fat, and 17 grams of protein. This could be a better option if you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/essential-guide-macros\/\">counting macros<\/a>, as it has 30 grams of carbs compared to oatmeal, which has 64. Thanks to the egg, cheese, and lean Canadian bacon, it also has a nice protein boost.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-4-piece-chicken-mcnuggets-with-small-fries\">3. 4-piece Chicken McNuggets with small fries<\/h3>\n<p>McDonald\u2019s chicken nuggets are iconic. If McNuggets are your jam, go for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcdonalds.com\/us\/en-us\/product\/chicken-mcnuggets-4-piece.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">4-piece size<\/a>, which has just 170 calories, 10 grams of fat, and nine grams of protein.<br \/>\u201cChicken options,&#8221; notes Mercer, &#8220;generally contain a lower ratio of saturated fat than the options that go heavy on the beef and cheese.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And thanks to the low-calorie count, you can pair your nuggets with a side of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcdonalds.com\/us\/en-us\/product\/small-french-fries.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">small fries<\/a> and still keep your meal under 500 calories. An order of small fries has 230 calories and 11 grams of fat, not including dipping sauces like ketchup.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-filet-o-fish-sandwich\">4. Filet-O-Fish sandwich<\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcdonalds.com\/us\/en-us\/product\/filet-o-fish.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Filet-O-Fish<\/a> is a McDonald\u2019s classic with 390 calories, 19 grams of fat, and 16 grams of protein. Even though it\u2019s better to eat fish broiled or seared to save on fat, fish has <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/34455321\/#:~:text=Fish%20is%20proven%20to%20possess,and%20prevent%20protein%2Dcalorie%20malnutrition.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">several health benefits<\/a> and is usually quite lean. You can ask for it without cheese or sauce to lower the fat content or enjoy it as is.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-mcdonald-s-classic-hamburger\">5. McDonald\u2019s classic hamburger<\/h3>\n<p>When thinking about the lowest-calorie food at McDonald\u2019s, you might be surprised to discover that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcdonalds.com\/us\/en-us\/product\/hamburger.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the classic burger<\/a> has just 250 calories. With the included toppings, it has nine grams of fat and 12 grams of protein, which isn\u2019t too bad. As with the nuggets, you can pair a burger with small fries and still come in under 500 calories.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-apple-slices\">6. Apple slices<\/h3>\n<p>A side of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcdonalds.com\/us\/en-us\/product\/apple-slices.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">apple slices<\/a> is the healthiest food you\u2019ll find at McDonald\u2019s, so feel free to pair it with anything else on the menu. One serving has just 15 calories, zero fat, and just three grams of sugar. When considering sides, it\u2019s a healthier choice than fries or other sweet treats.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-7-hash-browns\">7. Hash browns<\/h3>\n<p>Perfectly golden and crispy, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcdonalds.com\/us\/en-us\/product\/hash-browns.html#accordion-c921f9207b-item-842cb18782\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hash browns<\/a> are hard to resist when stopping by McD\u2019s in the morning for breakfast. Each has 140 calories, eight grams of fat, and two grams of protein. A hash brown alone might not fill you up, so pair it with any of the other breakfast items mentioned on this list and still enjoy an entire meal for under 500 calories.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-8-sausage-burrito\">8. Sausage burrito<\/h3>\n<p>If you&#8217;re craving something a little different for breakfast, try the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcdonalds.com\/us\/en-us\/product\/sausage-burrito.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sausage burrito<\/a>, which has 310 calories, 17 grams of fat, and 13 grams of protein. It\u2019s a nice alternative to a breakfast sandwich filled with eggs and sausage for protein and peppers and onions for a bit of veggies. You\u2019ll also find some melty cheese inside, which always makes everything taste better!<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-make-healthy-eating-a-habit-even-while-enjoying-mcdonald-s\">Make Healthy Eating a Habit Even While Enjoying McDonald\u2019s<\/h2>\n<p>The bottom line is that restaurants like McDonald\u2019s aren\u2019t out of bounds when you\u2019re trying to make healthy choices. As Mercer reminds us, sticking with McDonald\u2019s low-calorie items makes it easy to find items that are tasty and sure to satisfy. The trick is mindfulness and moderation \u2014 to enjoy what you\u2019re eating in the moment and not overthink things. \u201cBut for the ultimate in wholesome ingredients, predictability, and mindful preparation,\u201d Mercer says, \u201cthere\u2019s simply no place like home.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>To make things even easier the next time you grab McDonald&#8217;s, track your calories and macros with the <a href=\"https:\/\/myfitnesspal.app.link\/tkHPoliSTIb\">MyFitnessPal app<\/a>. Setting good habits around food \u2014 such as mindful eating, moderation, and fueling your body with what it needs \u2014 may be things you\u2019re already doing, so logging your food is just one more tool in your nutrition arsenal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/myfitnesspal.app.link\/tkHPoliSTIb\"><strong><em>Download the app today to get started!<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/healthy-mcdonalds-food\/\">8 Healthy McDonald&#8217;s Food Orders, According to a Dietitian<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\">MyFitnessPal Blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You can find healthy options at McDonald\u2019s that will let you enjoy your favorite fast-food restaurant without derailing your health goals.<br \/>\nThe post 8 Healthy McDonald\u2019s Food Orders, According to a Dietitian appeared first on MyFitnessPal Blog.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18372,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":""},"categories":[20,1,21,22,19],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18370"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18370"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18370\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18375,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18370\/revisions\/18375"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18372"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18370"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18370"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18370"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}