Foodstruct Nutrition Search | Diet Analysis | Food Comparison | Glycemic Index Chart | Insulin Index Chart | Blog | Subscribe | Sign Up

Chicken McNuggets vs. McDonald's french fries — In-Depth Nutrition Comparison

Compare

What are the differences between Chicken McNuggets and McDonald's french fries?

  • Chicken McNuggets are higher in Vitamin B3, Phosphorus, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B2, and Polyunsaturated fat, however, McDonald's french fries are richer in Potassium, and Copper.
  • Chicken McNuggets' daily need coverage for Vitamin B3 is 26% more.
  • McDonald's french fries contain 3 times less Sodium than Chicken McNuggets. Chicken McNuggets contain 566mg of Sodium, while McDonald's french fries contain 189mg.

We used McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS and McDONALD'S, french fries types in this article.

Infographic

Chicken McNuggets vs McDonald's french fries 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.
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 17% 3.3% 22% 33% 16% 16% 117% 74% 18% 0%
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 26% 5.7% 53% 30% 38% 14% 54% 25% 32% 2.2%
Contains more IronIron +11.3%
Contains more ZincZinc +15.7%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus +114.2%
Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium +54.2%
Contains more CalciumCalcium +72.7%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium +136.5%
Contains more CopperCopper +132.7%
Contains less SodiumSodium -66.6%
Contains more ManganeseManganese +77.9%

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.
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 4% 0% 0% 0% 40% 25% 139% 53% 92% 41% 0% 0% 0%
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 19% 0% 28% 0% 45% 8.5% 60% 35% 88% 0% 40% 0% 22%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2 +197.3%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3 +129.8%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5 +49.2%
Contains more Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 +∞%
Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C +366.7%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1 +12.5%
~equal in Vitamin A ~0IU
~equal in Vitamin D ~µg
~equal in Vitamin B6 ~0.38mg
~equal in Folate ~µg

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
16% 20% 15% 47% 2%
Protein: 15.79 g
Fats: 19.81 g
Carbs: 15.09 g
Water: 47.13 g
Other: 2.18 g
3% 15% 43% 37% 2%
Protein: 3.41 g
Fats: 15.47 g
Carbs: 42.58 g
Water: 36.63 g
Other: 1.91 g
Contains more ProteinProtein +363%
Contains more FatsFats +28.1%
Contains more WaterWater +28.7%
Contains more OtherOther +14.1%
Contains more CarbsCarbs +182.2%

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
19% 48% 33%
Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 3.261 g
Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 8.134 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 5.61 g
16% 51% 33%
Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 2.271 g
Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 7.379 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 4.727 g
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat +18.7%
Contains less Sat. FatSaturated Fat -30.4%
~equal in Monounsaturated Fat ~7.379g

Carbohydrate type comparison

Carbohydrate type breakdown side-by-side comparison
100%
Starch: 0 g
Sucrose: 0.08 g
Glucose: 0 g
Fructose: 0 g
Lactose: 0 g
Maltose: 0 g
Galactose: 0 g
99%
Starch: 38.23 g
Sucrose: 0.21 g
Glucose: 0 g
Fructose: 0 g
Lactose: 0 g
Maltose: 0 g
Galactose: 0 g
Contains more StarchStarch +∞%
Contains more SucroseSucrose +162.5%
~equal in Glucose ~0g
~equal in Fructose ~0g
~equal in Lactose ~0g
~equal in Maltose ~0g
~equal in Galactose ~0g

Comparison summary table

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

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Chicken McNuggets McDonald's french fries Opinion
Calories 302kcal 323kcal McDonald's french fries
Protein 15.79g 3.41g Chicken McNuggets
Fats 19.81g 15.47g Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin C 1.2mg 5.6mg McDonald's french fries
Net carbs 15.09g 38.68g McDonald's french fries
Carbs 15.09g 42.58g McDonald's french fries
Cholesterol 44mg McDonald's french fries
Magnesium 24mg 37mg McDonald's french fries
Calcium 11mg 19mg McDonald's french fries
Potassium 252mg 596mg McDonald's french fries
Iron 0.89mg 0.8mg Chicken McNuggets
Sugar 0.08g 0.21g Chicken McNuggets
Fiber 3.9g McDonald's french fries
Copper 0.049mg 0.114mg McDonald's french fries
Zinc 0.59mg 0.51mg Chicken McNuggets
Starch 38.23g McDonald's french fries
Phosphorus 272mg 127mg Chicken McNuggets
Sodium 566mg 189mg McDonald's french fries
Vitamin E 1.38mg McDonald's french fries
Manganese 0.14mg 0.249mg McDonald's french fries
Selenium 0.4µg McDonald's french fries
Vitamin B1 0.16mg 0.18mg McDonald's french fries
Vitamin B2 0.11mg 0.037mg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin B3 7.4mg 3.22mg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin B5 0.88mg 0.59mg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin B6 0.398mg 0.38mg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin B12 0.33µg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin K 16µg McDonald's french fries
Trans Fat 0.114g 0.064g McDonald's french fries
Choline 39.8mg McDonald's french fries
Saturated Fat 3.261g 2.271g McDonald's french fries
Monounsaturated Fat 8.134g 7.379g Chicken McNuggets
Polyunsaturated fat 5.61g 4.727g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-3 - EPA 0.001g 0g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-3 - DHA 0.003g 0g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-3 - ALA 0.296g 0.382g McDonald's french fries
Omega-3 - DPA 0.004g 0g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-3 - Eicosatrienoic acid 0.001g 0g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-6 - Gamma-linoleic acid 0.025g 0.031g McDonald's french fries
Omega-6 - Dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid 0.015g 0g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-6 - Eicosadienoic acid 0.014g 0.009g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-6 - Linoleic acid 5.105g 4.251g Chicken McNuggets

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Chicken McNuggets McDonald's french fries
Low Calories diet ok
Low Fats diet ok
Low Carbs diet ok
Low Glycemic Index diet ok

People also compare

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
30%
Chicken McNuggets
27%
McDonald's french fries
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
32%
Chicken McNuggets
28%
McDonald's french fries

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
McDonald's french fries
McDonald's french fries is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 44mg)
Which food contains less Sodium?
McDonald's french fries
McDonald's french fries contains less Sodium (difference - 377mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
McDonald's french fries
McDonald's french fries is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 0.99g)
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets is lower in Sugar (difference - 0.13g)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets is lower in glycemic index (difference - 24)
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.
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. Chicken McNuggets - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/173297/nutrients
  2. McDonald's french fries - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170721/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.