Overview
Since 1955, people across the globe have enjoyed McDonald's hamburgers, French fries, Chicken McNuggets and other comfort food. Although more famous for its high-calorie fare, the fast food restaurant also offers healthy alternatives, including salads, snack wraps and fruit.
USDA Dietary Guidelines
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA, advises children ages two to 13 to consume between 1,000 and 2,600 calories per day. The daily range for teenagers under 19 is 1,800 to 3,200; and 2,000 to 3,000 calories for adults over 19. For optimal health, McDonald's customers should stay within the USDA caloric range, which is also impacted by gender and activity level in addition to age.
Breakfast Menu
McDonald's breakfast sandwiches contain between 300 and 660 calories depending on the meat, cheese and what type of bread is used. Lower calorie choices include the English muffin with 100 and hash browns with 150. The unhealthiest items are the Big Breakfast selections with 740 to 1,150 calories.
Dinner Menu
The fast food chain's famous French fries contain between 230 and 500 calories. A plain McDonald's single hamburger has 250 calories while the Angus bacon cheeseburger weighs in at 790. The calories for other dinner choices are Chicken McNuggets containing 190 to 460; Filet-O-Fish with 380; the McChicken at 360; and the McRib sandwich with 500.
Drinks and Desserts
Regarding beverages, McDonald's patrons can opt for the zero-calorie unsweetened iced tea, black coffee or regular soft drinks that contain between 110 and 310 calories each. McCafe Frappes are on the high end of the scale, measuring up to 680 calories. Dessert choices range from the 45-calorie children's ice cream cone to the 1,160 calorie, 32-fl.-oz. Chocolate Triple Thick shake.
Healthy Fare
Surprisingly, Health Magazine named McDonald's the eighth healthiest fast food restaurant in America because of its low-fat, low-calorie choices. For example, the 260-calorie grilled chicken snack wrap is a good source of protein, while the 300-calorie Egg McMuffin "is a smart alternative to other calorie-laden biscuit breakfasts," reports the publication. McDonald's also encourages children to eat healthier by allowing them to replace French fries and soda with the lower calorie apple dippers and water or Powerade drink.
