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

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What are the differences between chicken McNuggets and mcDonald's hamburgers?

  • Chicken McNuggets are higher in phosphorus and vitamin B3; however, mcDonald's hamburgers are richer in iron, vitamin B12, zinc, calcium, vitamin B2, manganese, and vitamin B1.
  • McDonald's hamburgers' daily need coverage for iron is 25% more.
  • McDonald's hamburgers contain 3 times less phosphorus than chicken McNuggets. Chicken McNuggets contain 272mg of phosphorus, while mcDonald's hamburgers contain 107mg.
  • McDonald's hamburgers have less cholesterol.

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

Infographic

Chicken McNuggets vs McDonald's hamburger 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 15% 38% 17% 108% 32% 53% 46% 64% 42% 143%
Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium +14.3%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium +31.3%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus +154.2%
Contains more CalciumCalcium +1054.5%
Contains more IronIron +222.5%
Contains more CopperCopper +95.9%
Contains more ZincZinc +230.5%
Contains less SodiumSodium -12.7%
Contains more ManganeseManganese +130%

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 2% 0% 0% 0% 62% 55% 85% 0% 0% 104% 0% 48% 0%
Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C +100%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3 +62.9%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5 +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6 +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1 +54.4%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2 +117.3%
Contains more Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 +151.5%
~equal in Vitamin A ~µg
~equal in Vitamin E ~mg
~equal in Vitamin D ~µg
~equal in Vitamin K ~µg
~equal in Choline ~mg

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
13% 10% 30% 45% 2%
Protein: 12.92 g
Fats: 10.09 g
Carbs: 30.28 g
Water: 44.53 g
Other: 2.18 g
Contains more ProteinProtein +22.2%
Contains more FatsFats +96.3%
Contains more CarbsCarbs +100.7%
~equal in Water ~44.53g
~equal in Other ~2.18g

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
40% 43% 16%
Saturated fat: Sat. Fat 3.504 g
Monounsaturated fat: Mono. Fat 3.768 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 1.42 g
Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated fat +115.9%
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat +295.1%
~equal in Saturated fat ~3.504g

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
35% 55% 10%
Starch: 0 g
Sucrose: 0 g
Glucose: 2.1 g
Fructose: 3.3 g
Lactose: 0 g
Maltose: 0.63 g
Galactose: 0 g
Contains more SucroseSucrose +∞%
Contains more GlucoseGlucose +∞%
Contains more FructoseFructose +∞%
Contains more MaltoseMaltose +∞%
~equal in Starch ~0g
~equal in Lactose ~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 hamburger
Lower in Cholesterol ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Saturated fat ok
Lower in price Equal
Rich in minerals Equal
Rich in vitamins Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Chicken McNuggets McDonald's hamburger DV% diff.
Selenium 26.2µg 48%
Vitamin B6 0.398mg 31%
Polyunsaturated fat 5.61g 1.42g 28%
Iron 0.89mg 2.87mg 25%
Phosphorus 272mg 107mg 24%
Vitamin B12 0.33µg 0.83µg 21%
Vitamin B3 7.4mg 4.544mg 18%
Vitamin B5 0.88mg 18%
Folate 64µg 16%
Fats 19.81g 10.09g 15%
Calcium 11mg 127mg 12%
Zinc 0.59mg 1.95mg 12%
Monounsaturated fat 8.134g 3.768g 11%
Vitamin B2 0.11mg 0.239mg 10%
Manganese 0.14mg 0.322mg 8%
Vitamin B1 0.16mg 0.247mg 7%
Cholesterol 44mg 27mg 6%
Protein 15.79g 12.92g 6%
Fiber 1.3g 5%
Copper 0.049mg 0.096mg 5%
Carbs 15.09g 30.28g 5%
Fructose 0g 3.3g 4%
Sodium 566mg 494mg 3%
Calories 302kcal 264kcal 2%
Potassium 252mg 192mg 2%
Saturated fat 3.261g 3.504g 1%
Magnesium 24mg 21mg 1%
Vitamin C 1.2mg 0.6mg 1%
Net carbs 15.09g 28.98g N/A
Sugar 0.08g 6.03g N/A
Trans fat 0.114g 0.428g N/A
Omega-3 - EPA 0.001g 0.002g N/A
Omega-3 - DHA 0.003g 0g N/A
Omega-3 - ALA 0.296g 0.134g N/A
Omega-3 - DPA 0.004g 0.006g N/A
Omega-3 - Eicosatrienoic acid 0.001g 0.001g N/A
Omega-6 - Gamma-linoleic acid 0.025g 0.004g N/A
Omega-6 - Dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid 0.015g 0.011g N/A
Omega-6 - Eicosadienoic acid 0.014g 0.004g N/A
Omega-6 - Linoleic acid 5.105g 1.135g N/A

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Chicken McNuggets McDonald's hamburger
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
30%
Chicken McNuggets
27%
McDonald's hamburger
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
32%
Chicken McNuggets
56%
McDonald's hamburger

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
McDonald's hamburger
McDonald's hamburger is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 17mg)
Which food contains less Sodium?
McDonald's hamburger
McDonald's hamburger contains less Sodium (difference - 72mg)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
McDonald's hamburger
McDonald's hamburger is lower in glycemic index (difference - 46)
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets is lower in Sugar (difference - 5.95g)
Which food is lower in Saturated fat?
Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets is lower in Saturated fat (difference - 0.243g)
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 hamburger - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170717/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.