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

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A recap on differences between Falafel and McDonald's Big Mac

  • Falafel is higher in Manganese, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Folate, and Phosphorus, yet McDonald's Big Mac is higher in Vitamin B12, and Vitamin B3.
  • McDonald's Big Mac covers your daily Vitamin B12 needs 37% more than Falafel.
  • Falafel contains 4 times more Magnesium than McDonald's Big Mac. While Falafel contains 82mg of Magnesium, McDonald's Big Mac contains only 20mg.

Food varieties used in this article are Falafel, home-prepared and McDONALD'S, BIG MAC.

Infographic

Falafel 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.
Contains more Iron +71%
Contains more Magnesium +310%
Contains more Phosphorus +57.4%
Contains more Potassium +223.2%
Contains less Sodium -36.1%
Contains more Copper +163.3%
Contains more Manganese +235.4%
Contains more Calcium +114.8%
Contains more Zinc +27.3%
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 17% 129% 59% 83% 52% 39% 41% 86% 91% 6%
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 35% 75% 15% 53% 16% 60% 53% 33% 27% 0%
Contains more Iron +71%
Contains more Magnesium +310%
Contains more Phosphorus +57.4%
Contains more Potassium +223.2%
Contains less Sodium -36.1%
Contains more Copper +163.3%
Contains more Manganese +235.4%
Contains more Calcium +114.8%
Contains more Zinc +27.3%

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 C +300%
Contains more Folate +102.2%
Contains more Vitamin A +1346.2%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +20.5%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +25.9%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +224.1%
Contains more Vitamin B12 +∞%
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 1% 0% 0% 6% 37% 39% 20% 18% 29% 70% 0% 0%
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 12% 0% 0% 2% 44% 49% 64% 0% 0% 35% 111% 0%
Contains more Vitamin C +300%
Contains more Folate +102.2%
Contains more Vitamin A +1346.2%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +20.5%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +25.9%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +224.1%
Contains more Vitamin B12 +∞%

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains more Protein +12.6%
Contains more Fats +19%
Contains more Carbs +58.6%
Contains more Other +32.1%
Contains more Water +48.2%
13% 18% 32% 35% 2%
Protein: 13.31 g
Fats: 17.8 g
Carbs: 31.84 g
Water: 34.62 g
Other: 2.43 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 Protein +12.6%
Contains more Fats +19%
Contains more Carbs +58.6%
Contains more Other +32.1%
Contains more Water +48.2%

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains less Saturated Fat -37.3%
Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +192.8%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +1259.5%
14% 61% 25%
Saturated Fat: 2.383 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 10.171 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 4.16 g
50% 46% 4%
Saturated Fat: 3.803 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 3.474 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 0.306 g
Contains less Saturated Fat -37.3%
Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +192.8%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +1259.5%

Comparison summary table

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

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Falafel McDonald's Big Mac Opinion
Net carbs 31.84g 18.48g Falafel
Protein 13.31g 11.82g Falafel
Fats 17.8g 14.96g Falafel
Carbs 31.84g 20.08g Falafel
Calories 333kcal 257kcal Falafel
Fructose 1.69g McDonald's Big Mac
Sugar 3.97g Falafel
Fiber 1.6g McDonald's Big Mac
Calcium 54mg 116mg McDonald's Big Mac
Iron 3.42mg 2mg Falafel
Magnesium 82mg 20mg Falafel
Phosphorus 192mg 122mg Falafel
Potassium 585mg 181mg Falafel
Sodium 294mg 460mg Falafel
Zinc 1.5mg 1.91mg McDonald's Big Mac
Copper 0.258mg 0.098mg Falafel
Manganese 0.691mg 0.206mg Falafel
Selenium 1µg Falafel
Vitamin A 13IU 188IU McDonald's Big Mac
Vitamin A RAE 1µg Falafel
Vitamin C 1.6mg 0.4mg Falafel
Vitamin B1 0.146mg 0.176mg McDonald's Big Mac
Vitamin B2 0.166mg 0.209mg McDonald's Big Mac
Vitamin B3 1.044mg 3.384mg McDonald's Big Mac
Vitamin B5 0.292mg Falafel
Vitamin B6 0.125mg Falafel
Folate 93µg 46µg Falafel
Vitamin B12 0µg 0.88µg McDonald's Big Mac
Tryptophan 0.134mg Falafel
Threonine 0.492mg Falafel
Isoleucine 0.567mg Falafel
Leucine 0.944mg Falafel
Lysine 0.856mg Falafel
Methionine 0.187mg Falafel
Phenylalanine 0.707mg Falafel
Valine 0.562mg Falafel
Histidine 0.364mg Falafel
Cholesterol 0mg 36mg Falafel
Trans Fat 0g 0.588g Falafel
Saturated Fat 2.383g 3.803g Falafel
Monounsaturated Fat 10.171g 3.474g Falafel
Polyunsaturated fat 4.16g 0.306g Falafel

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Falafel McDonald's Big Mac
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
18%
Falafel
26%
McDonald's Big Mac
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
60%
Falafel
36%
McDonald's Big Mac

Comparison summary

Which food is cheaper?
McDonald's Big Mac
McDonald's Big Mac is cheaper (difference - $4)
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Falafel
Falafel is lower in Sugar (difference - 3.97g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Falafel
Falafel contains less Sodium (difference - 166mg)
Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
Falafel
Falafel is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 36mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
Falafel
Falafel is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 1.42g)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Falafel
Falafel is lower in glycemic index (difference - 33)
Which food is richer in minerals?
Falafel
Falafel is relatively richer in minerals
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. Falafel - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/172455/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.