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

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The main differences between Fast food and McDonald's Big Mac

  • Fast food is richer in Vitamin B3, Iron, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B1, Folate, Manganese, and Zinc, yet McDonald's Big Mac is richer in Calcium.
  • Daily need coverage for Vitamin B3 from Fast food is 14% higher.
  • Fast food contains 2 times more Vitamin B1 than McDonald's Big Mac. Fast food contains 0.317mg of Vitamin B1, while McDonald's Big Mac contains 0.176mg.
  • Fast food contains less Sodium.

Food types used in this article are Fast foods, hamburger; single, regular patty; plain and McDONALD'S, BIG MAC.

Infographic

Fast food 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 +53%
Contains more Magnesium +35%
Contains less Sodium -28%
Contains more Zinc +31.9%
Contains more Copper +23.5%
Contains more Manganese +73.3%
Contains more Calcium +87.1%
Equal in Phosphorus - 122
Equal in Potassium - 181
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 19% 115% 20% 58% 18% 44% 69% 41% 47% 111%
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 35% 75% 15% 53% 16% 60% 53% 33% 27% 0%
Contains more Iron +53%
Contains more Magnesium +35%
Contains less Sodium -28%
Contains more Zinc +31.9%
Contains more Copper +23.5%
Contains more Manganese +73.3%
Contains more Calcium +87.1%
Equal in Phosphorus - 122
Equal in Potassium - 181

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 B1 +80.1%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +73.7%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +66%
Contains more Folate +73.9%
Contains more Vitamin A +268.6%
Contains more Vitamin C +∞%
Equal in Vitamin B12 - 0.88
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 4% 8% 3% 0% 80% 84% 106% 32% 49% 60% 112% 13%
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 B1 +80.1%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +73.7%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +66%
Contains more Folate +73.9%
Contains more Vitamin A +268.6%
Contains more Vitamin C +∞%
Equal in Vitamin B12 - 0.88

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains more Protein +39.8%
Contains more Carbs +56.9%
Contains more Fats +24.6%
Contains more Water +33.4%
Contains more Other +21.1%
17% 12% 32% 38%
Protein: 16.52 g
Fats: 12.01 g
Carbs: 31.5 g
Water: 38.45 g
Other: 1.52 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 +39.8%
Contains more Carbs +56.9%
Contains more Fats +24.6%
Contains more Water +33.4%
Contains more Other +21.1%

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +39.2%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +449%
Contains less Saturated Fat -15.4%
41% 44% 15%
Saturated Fat: 4.493 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 4.835 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 1.68 g
50% 46% 4%
Saturated Fat: 3.803 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 3.474 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 0.306 g
Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +39.2%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +449%
Contains less Saturated Fat -15.4%

Carbohydrate type comparison

Carbohydrate type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains more Starch +∞%
Contains more Glucose +97.1%
Contains more Fructose +34.3%
Contains more Maltose +16.3%
Contains more Sucrose +∞%
Contains more Lactose +∞%
82% 7% 8% 2%
Starch: 22.87 g
Sucrose: 0 g
Glucose: 2.05 g
Fructose: 2.27 g
Lactose: 0 g
Maltose: 0.57 g
Galactose: 0 g
12% 26% 42% 8% 12%
Starch: 0 g
Sucrose: 0.46 g
Glucose: 1.04 g
Fructose: 1.69 g
Lactose: 0.32 g
Maltose: 0.49 g
Galactose: 0 g
Contains more Starch +∞%
Contains more Glucose +97.1%
Contains more Fructose +34.3%
Contains more Maltose +16.3%
Contains more Sucrose +∞%
Contains more Lactose +∞%

Comparison summary table

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

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Fast food McDonald's Big Mac Opinion
Net carbs 29.8g 18.48g Fast food
Protein 16.52g 11.82g Fast food
Fats 12.01g 14.96g McDonald's Big Mac
Carbs 31.5g 20.08g Fast food
Calories 297kcal 257kcal Fast food
Starch 22.87g Fast food
Fructose 2.27g 1.69g Fast food
Sugar 4.88g 3.97g McDonald's Big Mac
Fiber 1.7g 1.6g Fast food
Calcium 62mg 116mg McDonald's Big Mac
Iron 3.06mg 2mg Fast food
Magnesium 27mg 20mg Fast food
Phosphorus 134mg 122mg Fast food
Potassium 197mg 181mg Fast food
Sodium 331mg 460mg Fast food
Zinc 2.52mg 1.91mg Fast food
Copper 0.121mg 0.098mg Fast food
Manganese 0.357mg 0.206mg Fast food
Selenium 20.3µg Fast food
Vitamin A 51IU 188IU McDonald's Big Mac
Vitamin A RAE 9µg Fast food
Vitamin E 0.38mg Fast food
Vitamin D 2IU Fast food
Vitamin D 0.1µg Fast food
Vitamin C 0mg 0.4mg McDonald's Big Mac
Vitamin B1 0.317mg 0.176mg Fast food
Vitamin B2 0.363mg 0.209mg Fast food
Vitamin B3 5.617mg 3.384mg Fast food
Vitamin B5 0.53mg Fast food
Vitamin B6 0.212mg Fast food
Folate 80µg 46µg Fast food
Vitamin B12 0.89µg 0.88µg Fast food
Vitamin K 4.9µg Fast food
Tryptophan 0.144mg Fast food
Threonine 0.46mg Fast food
Isoleucine 0.642mg Fast food
Leucine 1.13mg Fast food
Lysine 0.785mg Fast food
Methionine 0.306mg Fast food
Phenylalanine 0.67mg Fast food
Valine 0.728mg Fast food
Histidine 0.402mg Fast food
Cholesterol 33mg 36mg Fast food
Trans Fat 0.514g 0.588g Fast food
Saturated Fat 4.493g 3.803g McDonald's Big Mac
Omega-3 - DHA 0.001g Fast food
Omega-3 - EPA 0.005g Fast food
Omega-3 - DPA 0.009g Fast food
Monounsaturated Fat 4.835g 3.474g Fast food
Polyunsaturated fat 1.68g 0.306g Fast food
Omega-6 - Eicosadienoic acid 0.003g Fast food
Omega-6 - Linoleic acid 1.391g Fast food
Omega-6 - Gamma-linoleic acid 0.004g Fast food
Omega-3 - ALA 0.121g Fast food
Omega-6 - Dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid 0.009g Fast food

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Fast food McDonald's Big Mac
Low Fats diet ok
Low Carbs diet ok
Low Calories diet ok
Low Glycemic Index diet Equal

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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
46%
Fast food
26%
McDonald's Big Mac
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
54%
Fast food
36%
McDonald's Big Mac

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Sugar?
McDonald's Big Mac
McDonald's Big Mac is lower in Sugar (difference - 0.91g)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
McDonald's Big Mac
McDonald's Big Mac is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 0.69g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Fast food
Fast food contains less Sodium (difference - 129mg)
Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
Fast food
Fast food is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 3mg)
Which food is richer in minerals?
Fast food
Fast food is relatively richer in minerals
Which food is richer in vitamins?
Fast food
Fast food is relatively richer in vitamins
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
?
The foods have equal glycemic indexes (66)
Which food is cheaper?
?
The foods are relatively equal in price ($)

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. Fast food - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170693/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.