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Beer vs. McDonald's Big Mac — In-Depth Nutrition Comparison

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Significant differences between beer and mcDonald's Big Mac

  • The amount of vitamin B12, iron, vitamin B3, zinc, phosphorus, vitamin B1, and vitamin B2 in mcDonald's Big Mac is higher than in beer.
  • McDonald's Big Mac covers your daily vitamin B12 needs 36% more than beer.
  • Beer contains less sodium.
  • Beer has a higher glycemic index. The glycemic index of beer is 104, while the glycemic index of mcDonald's Big Mac is 66.

Specific food types used in this comparison are Alcoholic beverage, beer, regular, all and McDONALD'S, BIG MAC.

Infographic

Beer vs McDonald's Big Mac 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.
Beer
2
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 4.3% 1.2% 2.4% 0.75% 1.7% 0.27% 6% 0.52% 1% 3.3%
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 14% 35% 16% 75% 33% 52% 52% 60% 27% 0%
Contains less SodiumSodium -99.1%
Contains more SeleniumSelenium +∞%
Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium +233.3%
Contains more CalciumCalcium +2800%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium +570.4%
Contains more IronIron +9900%
Contains more CopperCopper +1860%
Contains more ZincZinc +19000%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus +771.4%
Contains more ManganeseManganese +2475%

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.
Beer
3
Vitamin C Vit. C Vitamin A Vit. A Vitamin E Vit. E Vitamin D Vit. D Vitamin B1 Vit. B1 Vitamin B2 Vit. B2 Vitamin B3 Vit. B3 Vitamin B5 Vit. B5 Vitamin B6 Vit. B6 Vitamin B12 Vit. B12 Vitamin K Vit. K Folate Folate Choline Choline 0% 0% 0% 0% 1.3% 5.8% 9.6% 2.5% 11% 2.5% 0% 4.5% 5.5%
Vitamin C Vit. C Vitamin A Vit. A Vitamin E Vit. E Vitamin D Vit. D Vitamin B1 Vit. B1 Vitamin B2 Vit. B2 Vitamin B3 Vit. B3 Vitamin B5 Vit. B5 Vitamin B6 Vit. B6 Vitamin B12 Vit. B12 Vitamin K Vit. K Folate Folate Choline Choline 1.3% 0% 0% 0% 44% 48% 63% 0% 0% 110% 0% 35% 0%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5 +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6 +∞%
Contains more CholineCholine +∞%
Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1 +3420%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2 +736%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3 +559.6%
Contains more Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 +4300%
Contains more FolateFolate +666.7%
~equal in Vitamin A ~µg
~equal in Vitamin E ~mg
~equal in Vitamin D ~µg
~equal in Vitamin K ~µg

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
Beer
2
4% 92% 4%
Protein: 0.46 g
Fats: 0 g
Carbs: 3.55 g
Water: 91.96 g
Other: 4.03 g
12% 15% 20% 51% 2%
Protein: 11.82 g
Fats: 14.96 g
Carbs: 20.08 g
Water: 51.3 g
Other: 1.84 g
Contains more WaterWater +79.3%
Contains more OtherOther +119%
Contains more ProteinProtein +2469.6%
Contains more FatsFats +∞%
Contains more CarbsCarbs +465.6%

Comparison summary table

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

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Beer McDonald's Big Mac DV% diff.
Vitamin B12 0.02µg 0.88µg 36%
Iron 0.02mg 2mg 25%
Fats 0g 14.96g 23%
Protein 0.46g 11.82g 23%
Sodium 4mg 460mg 20%
Vitamin B3 0.513mg 3.384mg 18%
Zinc 0.01mg 1.91mg 17%
Saturated fat 0g 3.803g 17%
Phosphorus 14mg 122mg 15%
Vitamin B2 0.025mg 0.209mg 14%
Vitamin B1 0.005mg 0.176mg 14%
Cholesterol 0mg 36mg 12%
Calories 43kcal 257kcal 11%
Calcium 4mg 116mg 11%
Copper 0.005mg 0.098mg 10%
Folate 6µg 46µg 10%
Manganese 0.008mg 0.206mg 9%
Monounsaturated fat 0g 3.474g 9%
Carbs 3.55g 20.08g 6%
Fiber 0g 1.6g 6%
Potassium 27mg 181mg 5%
Vitamin B6 0.046mg 4%
Magnesium 6mg 20mg 3%
Polyunsaturated fat 0g 0.306g 2%
Choline 10.1mg 2%
Fructose 0g 1.69g 2%
Selenium 0.6µg 1%
Vitamin B5 0.041mg 1%
Vitamin C 0mg 0.4mg 0%
Net carbs 3.55g 18.48g N/A
Sugar 0g 3.97g N/A
Trans fat 0g 0.588g N/A

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Beer McDonald's Big Mac
Low Calories diet ok
Low Fats diet ok
Low Carbs 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
3%
Beer
23%
McDonald's Big Mac
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
2%
Beer
36%
McDonald's Big Mac

Comparison summary

Which food is richer in minerals?
McDonald's Big Mac
McDonald's Big Mac is relatively richer in minerals
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
McDonald's Big Mac
McDonald's Big Mac is lower in glycemic index (difference - 38)
Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
Beer
Beer is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 36mg)
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Beer
Beer is lower in Sugar (difference - 3.97g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Beer
Beer contains less Sodium (difference - 456mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated fat?
Beer
Beer is lower in Saturated fat (difference - 3.803g)
Which food is cheaper?
?
The foods are relatively equal in price ($)
Which food is richer in vitamins?
?
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. Beer - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168746/nutrients
  2. McDonald's Big Mac - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170720/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.