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While McDonald’s is known for its unhealthy burgers and salty fries, there are some healthier options to choose from. Here are11 of McDonald’s healthiest items available when you want food on the go without too many calories.
McDonald’s has a reputation for offering salty fries, greasy burgers, and high-calorie milkshakes. It’s food on the go and not considered the healthiest of options around. However, just because you’re looking for something low in calories or healthy for your diet doesn’t mean you have to skip the joint. There are low-calorie options on the list.
Here’s a look at the McDonalds menu with the 11 healthiest items to choose from. The good news is you don’t have to just have the salad! Initially, the food may not look healthy, but it’s all in the nutrients as well as the calories. You’ll be surprised at what you can eat.
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#1. The McDonalds Side Salad
Let’s get all the salads out of the way first, with the first on the list being the Side Salad. This is a small salad that can be chosen instead of the fries. So you can have your burger without the guilt of the added salt in the side.
The salad comes with lettuce and grape tomatoes, topping at just 15 calories for the whole lot. There’s also only 15mg of sodium, with no fat or saturated fat. Plus, think of the nutrients you get in the lettuce and tomatoes. Tomatoes are actually one of the best foods to eat for the nutrients!
#2. Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken
If you want something extra with your salad, the Southwest Salad is the way to go. This is a mixture of salad greens, with black beans, poblano peppers, roasted tomatoes, shredded cheese, lime juice, chile-lime tortilla strips with a cilantro lime glaze. You’re packing the salad with plenty of nutrients, helping to support the whole body.
You can add some grilled chicken to the salad for the protein if you want. However, if you choose not to then you’re saving a bit on the calories.
For the whole thing, you’re looking at a total of 350 calories and 1,070mg of sodium. You’ll get 12g of fat, of which 4.5g is saturated. This isn’t bad overall for a meal!
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#3. Bacon Ranch Salad with Grilled Chicken
When you’ve had enough of the Southwest Salad, you can opt for the Bacon Ranch Salad instead. This is a little simpler than the other one, with just salad greens and grape tomatoes, mixed with bacon and shredded cheese. The grilled chicken fillet is then added on top for the extra protein.
The salad comes to 320 calories in total, so you’re looking at less than the Southwest. The downside is the fat and sodium. You’ll get 1,230mg of sodium with 14g of fat (of which 6g saturates).
#4. Fruit and Maple Oatmeal
Now it’s onto the breakfast items, which you can now get throughout the day! This is a good thing, since they really are among the best options on the list. One of the best is the fruit and maple oatmeal, which isn’t just good for you but colorful and delicious. You’ll get raisins, cranberries, apples, and oatmeal, with a little brown sugar and light cream.
If you want to cut down the calories, you can always ask for it without the brown sugar and cream. Rather than 310 calories, you’ll reduce your intake to 240 calories with just the oatmeal and fruit. The benefits are also spotted with the fat, saturated fat, and the sugars.
With the sugar and cream, you’re looking at 33g of sugar, 4g of fat, and 1.5g of saturated fat. Without the sugar and cream, you’re looking at 18g of sugar, 2.5g of fat, and 1g of saturated fat.
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#5. Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait
Another good option for breakfast is the Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait, which has a mixture of strawberries and blueberries in a low-fat yogurt with low-fat granola. Of course, low fat doesn’t mean low in sugar and this is where some of the downsides come in.
While the parfait is just 150 calories, you’re looking at 22g of sugar, which is more than the oatmeal when you get it without the sugar and cream. However, you are only looking at 2g of fat, of which half saturates. It’s certainly worth considering the next time you’re grabbing breakfast.
#6. Egg McMuffins
You may initially think that the McMuffins and sandwiches aren’t good for you, but that’s where you’re wrong. Remember that this isn’t just about the calories. We’re looking at the overall nutrients and the Egg McMuffin is packed with protein and good cholesterol. You can reduce the calories by getting rid of the meat, but these stats are for the Egg and Bacon McMuffin.
You’ll get 300 calories to start your day—and now the McMuffins can be ordered at any time, so you can replace your normal burgers with them! You’ll also get 730mg of sodium with 12g of fat. Half of the fat saturates.
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#7. Sausage Burritos
Those who love to start their day with a bit of meat will be happy to know that the Sausage Burrito is still a good option. While the sodium is higher than the Egg McMuffin, the number of calories is down. Fat content may be higher, but the saturated fat content is reduced. Plus, with the Sausage Burrito, you’re getting tomatoes, peppers, eggs, and onions mixed in, so plenty of nutrients to make up for some of the bad stuff.
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Total calories are 290 for the burrito. You’ll also get 800mg of sodium, 15g of fat, and 6g of saturated fat.
#8. Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich
You don’t just want to rely on salads and the breakfasts when you go to McDonald’s though. This is where some of the sandwiches come into play. It’s certainly worth looking at the Artisan sandwiches, which aren’t just packed with goodness, but they’re among the tastiest options on the lunch menu. The Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich is by far the best.
With grilled chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, and a herb vinaigrette sauce, you’d consume 380 calories. There’s 1,110mg of sodium, which is less than some of the salads, and 7g of fat. Of the fat, 2g saturates, so you’re good to go with this one. You can add a side salad to the sandwich to keep it healthy or just get the sandwich on its own.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
#9. Pico Guacamole with Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich
When you want something a little different, you’ll need to look out for the Pico Guacamole Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich. While it sounds like the same as the above, you’re getting the grilled chicken with pico de gallo and guacamole with some lettuce, white cheddar, lime, and a buttermilk ranch sauce. You can ask for no bacon and ranch sauce to take the nutrient figures down.
With everything, you’re consuming 520 calories, 18g of fat (of which 6g saturates) and 1,540mg of sodium. Without the bacon and ranch, you’ll get 420 calories, with 9g of fat, 2.5g of saturated fat, and 1,240mg of sodium. It’s certainly worth skipping the bacon and ranch!
#10. Maple Bacon Dijon with Artisan Grilled Chicken
Another popular option when it comes to the Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich is the Maple Bacon Dijon option. You’ll get the chicken with bacon, white cheddar, and a Dijon sauce. Onion reduction sauce and a maple bacon seasoning finishes the sandwich off. Cut down on the fats and calories by asking for no cheese or bacon.
With the works, you’ll eat 580 calories, 1,890mg of sodium, 21g of fat and 8g of saturated fats. The numbers reduce considerably without the bacon and cheese. You’ll only eat 430 calories, 1,340mg of sodium, 11g of fat and 3g of saturated fat. Because of the chicken, there’s no need to add the cheddar and bacon for the protein!
#11. Sweet BBQ Bacon with Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Finally, it’s over to the BBQ Bacon. This is a delicious option that you can ask for no bacon and no cheese. With the works, you’ll get the chicken and bacon with an onion reduction sauce, a sweet onion barbecue sauce, and crispy onions.
The full sandwich consists of 630 calories, 1,930mg of sodium, 22g of fat, and 7g of saturated fat. Without the bacon, it’s 490 calories, 1,380mg of sodium, 11g of fat, and 2.5g of saturated fat. The sandwich is the worst on this list, but it’s far better than anything else on the McDonalds menu.
Next: 20 Healthiest Fast Food menu items
Which one of McDonald’s healthiest items will you try first? Are you on a mission to find the healthiest options at fast food joints? Let us know in the comments below.