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McDonald's Quarter Pounder vs. McChicken Sandwich — In-Depth Nutrition Comparison

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How are McDonald's Quarter Pounder and McChicken Sandwich different?

  • McDonald's Quarter Pounder is higher in Vitamin B12, Zinc, Vitamin B2, and Iron, however, McChicken Sandwich is richer in Manganese, and Polyunsaturated fat.
  • Daily need coverage for Vitamin B12 from McDonald's Quarter Pounder is 45% higher.
  • McDonald's Quarter Pounder contains 4 times more Zinc than McChicken Sandwich. While McDonald's Quarter Pounder contains 2.69mg of Zinc, McChicken Sandwich contains only 0.63mg.
  • McChicken Sandwich has less Saturated Fat.

McDONALD'S, QUARTER POUNDER and McDONALD'S, McCHICKEN Sandwich are the varieties used in this article.

Infographic

McDonald's Quarter Pounder vs McChicken Sandwich infographic
Infographic link

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Contains more Iron +38.5%
Contains more Potassium +31.2%
Contains less Sodium -31.6%
Contains more Zinc +327%
Contains more Copper +30.5%
Contains more Phosphorus +12.1%
Contains more Manganese +79.9%
Equal in Calcium - 88
Equal in Magnesium - 20
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 26% 91% 16% 54% 21% 56% 74% 36% 26% 0%
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 27% 66% 15% 60% 16% 82% 18% 28% 47% 0%
Contains more Iron +38.5%
Contains more Potassium +31.2%
Contains less Sodium -31.6%
Contains more Zinc +327%
Contains more Copper +30.5%
Contains more Phosphorus +12.1%
Contains more Manganese +79.9%
Equal in Calcium - 88
Equal in Magnesium - 20

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
:
Contains more Vitamin B2 +72%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +12.9%
Contains more Vitamin B12 +573.7%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +15.8%
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 4% 0% 0% 3% 46% 80% 84% 0% 0% 43% 160% 0%
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 0% 0% 0% 0% 53% 47% 74% 0% 0% 0% 24% 0%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +72%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +12.9%
Contains more Vitamin B12 +573.7%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +15.8%

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains more Protein +35.2%
Contains more Fats +14.4%
Contains more Carbs +26.2%
Contains more Other +26%
Equal in Water - 46.11
14% 12% 22% 50% 2%
Protein: 14.1 g
Fats: 11.55 g
Carbs: 22.17 g
Water: 50.37 g
Other: 1.81 g
10% 13% 28% 46% 2%
Protein: 10.43 g
Fats: 13.21 g
Carbs: 27.97 g
Water: 46.11 g
Other: 2.28 g
Contains more Protein +35.2%
Contains more Fats +14.4%
Contains more Carbs +26.2%
Contains more Other +26%
Equal in Water - 46.11

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains less Saturated Fat -41.5%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +1654.1%
Equal in Monounsaturated Fat - 4.401
47% 49% 3%
Saturated Fat: 4.008 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 4.202 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 0.283 g
20% 38% 42%
Saturated Fat: 2.346 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 4.401 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 4.964 g
Contains less Saturated Fat -41.5%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +1654.1%
Equal in Monounsaturated Fat - 4.401

Carbohydrate type comparison

Carbohydrate type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains more Sucrose +29.4%
Contains more Glucose +85.4%
Contains more Fructose +14%
Contains more Lactose +∞%
Contains more Maltose +69.8%
4% 37% 43% 14%
Starch: 0 g
Sucrose: 0.22 g
Glucose: 1.91 g
Fructose: 2.2 g
Lactose: 0.07 g
Maltose: 0.73 g
Galactose: 0 g
5% 29% 54% 12%
Starch: 0 g
Sucrose: 0.17 g
Glucose: 1.03 g
Fructose: 1.93 g
Lactose: 0 g
Maltose: 0.43 g
Galactose: 0 g
Contains more Sucrose +29.4%
Contains more Glucose +85.4%
Contains more Fructose +14%
Contains more Lactose +∞%
Contains more Maltose +69.8%

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.
McDonald's Quarter Pounder McChicken Sandwich
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Rich in vitamins ok
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Cholesterol ok
Lower in Saturated Fat ok
Lower in price Equal
Rich in minerals Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient McDonald's Quarter Pounder McChicken Sandwich Opinion
Net carbs 20.57g 26.67g McChicken Sandwich
Protein 14.1g 10.43g McDonald's Quarter Pounder
Fats 11.55g 13.21g McChicken Sandwich
Carbs 22.17g 27.97g McChicken Sandwich
Calories 244kcal 273kcal McChicken Sandwich
Fructose 2.2g 1.93g McDonald's Quarter Pounder
Sugar 5.13g 3.57g McChicken Sandwich
Fiber 1.6g 1.3g McDonald's Quarter Pounder
Calcium 84mg 88mg McChicken Sandwich
Iron 2.41mg 1.74mg McDonald's Quarter Pounder
Magnesium 22mg 20mg McDonald's Quarter Pounder
Phosphorus 124mg 139mg McChicken Sandwich
Potassium 227mg 173mg McDonald's Quarter Pounder
Sodium 427mg 624mg McDonald's Quarter Pounder
Zinc 2.69mg 0.63mg McDonald's Quarter Pounder
Copper 0.107mg 0.082mg McDonald's Quarter Pounder
Manganese 0.199mg 0.358mg McChicken Sandwich
Vitamin A 56IU McDonald's Quarter Pounder
Vitamin C 0.9mg McDonald's Quarter Pounder
Vitamin B1 0.183mg 0.212mg McChicken Sandwich
Vitamin B2 0.344mg 0.2mg McDonald's Quarter Pounder
Vitamin B3 4.452mg 3.942mg McDonald's Quarter Pounder
Folate 56µg McDonald's Quarter Pounder
Vitamin B12 1.28µg 0.19µg McDonald's Quarter Pounder
Cholesterol 39mg 27mg McChicken Sandwich
Trans Fat 0.724g 0.079g McChicken Sandwich
Saturated Fat 4.008g 2.346g McChicken Sandwich
Omega-3 - DHA 0.003g McChicken Sandwich
Omega-3 - DPA 0.002g McChicken Sandwich
Monounsaturated Fat 4.202g 4.401g McChicken Sandwich
Polyunsaturated fat 0.283g 4.964g McChicken Sandwich
Omega-6 - Eicosadienoic acid 0.009g McChicken Sandwich
Omega-6 - Linoleic acid 4.396g McChicken Sandwich
Omega-6 - Gamma-linoleic acid 0.016g McChicken Sandwich
Omega-3 - ALA 0.43g McChicken Sandwich
Omega-3 - Eicosatrienoic acid 0.001g McChicken Sandwich
Omega-6 - Dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid 0.01g McChicken Sandwich

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
McDonald's Quarter Pounder McChicken Sandwich
Low Fats diet ok
Low Carbs diet ok
Low Calories diet ok
Low Glycemic Index diet ok

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Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).
Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score
35%
McDonald's Quarter Pounder
16%
McChicken Sandwich
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
40%
McDonald's Quarter Pounder
35%
McChicken Sandwich

Comparison summary

Which food contains less Sodium?
McDonald's Quarter Pounder
McDonald's Quarter Pounder contains less Sodium (difference - 197mg)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
McDonald's Quarter Pounder
McDonald's Quarter Pounder is lower in glycemic index (difference - 66)
Which food is richer in vitamins?
McDonald's Quarter Pounder
McDonald's Quarter Pounder is relatively richer in vitamins
Which food is lower in Sugar?
McChicken Sandwich
McChicken Sandwich is lower in Sugar (difference - 1.56g)
Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
McChicken Sandwich
McChicken Sandwich is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 12mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
McChicken Sandwich
McChicken Sandwich is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 1.662g)
Which food is cheaper?
?
The foods are relatively equal in price ($)
Which food is richer in minerals?
?
It cannot be stated which food is richer in vitamins. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information.

References

All the values for which the sources are not specified explicitly are taken from FDA’s Food Central. The exact link to the food presented on this page can be found below.

  1. McDonald's Quarter Pounder - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170321/nutrients
  2. McChicken Sandwich - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/173305/nutrients

All the Daily Values are presented for males aged 31-50, for 2000-calorie diets.

Data provided by FoodStruct.com should be considered and used as information only. Please consult your physician before beginning any diet.