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

McChicken Sandwich vs. Chicken McNuggets — In-Depth Nutrition Comparison

Compare

The main differences between McChicken Sandwich and Chicken McNuggets

  • McChicken Sandwich is richer in Iron, Manganese, Calcium, and Vitamin B2, yet Chicken McNuggets are richer in Vitamin B3, Phosphorus, and Vitamin B12.
  • Daily need coverage for Vitamin B3 from Chicken McNuggets is 22% higher.
  • McChicken Sandwich contains 8 times more Calcium than Chicken McNuggets. McChicken Sandwich contains 88mg of Calcium, while Chicken McNuggets contain 11mg.
  • McChicken Sandwich contains less Saturated Fat.

Food types used in this article are McDONALD'S, McCHICKEN Sandwich and McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS.

Infographic

McChicken Sandwich vs Chicken McNuggets 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 14% 26% 15% 65% 27% 17% 60% 81% 47% 0%
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%
Contains more CalciumCalcium +700%
Contains more IronIron +95.5%
Contains more CopperCopper +67.3%
Contains more ManganeseManganese +155.7%
Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium +20%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium +45.7%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus +95.7%
~equal in Zinc ~0.59mg
~equal in Sodium ~566mg
~equal in Selenium ~µg

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 0% 0% 0% 0% 53% 46% 74% 0% 0% 24% 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 4% 0% 0% 0% 40% 25% 139% 53% 92% 41% 0% 0% 0%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1 +32.5%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2 +81.8%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3 +87.7%
Contains more Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 +73.7%
~equal in Vitamin A ~IU
~equal in Vitamin E ~mg
~equal in Vitamin D ~µg
~equal in Vitamin K ~µg
~equal in Folate ~µg
~equal in Choline ~mg

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
10% 13% 28% 46% 2%
Protein: 10.43 g
Fats: 13.21 g
Carbs: 27.97 g
Water: 46.11 g
Other: 2.28 g
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
Contains more CarbsCarbs +85.4%
Contains more ProteinProtein +51.4%
Contains more FatsFats +50%
~equal in Water ~47.13g
~equal in Other ~2.18g

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
20% 38% 42%
Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 2.346 g
Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 4.401 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 4.964 g
19% 48% 33%
Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 3.261 g
Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 8.134 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 5.61 g
Contains less Sat. FatSaturated Fat -28.1%
Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated Fat +84.8%
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat +13%

Carbohydrate type comparison

Carbohydrate type breakdown side-by-side comparison
5% 29% 54% 12%
Starch: 0 g
Sucrose: 0.17 g
Glucose: 1.03 g
Fructose: 1.93 g
Lactose: 0 g
Maltose: 0.43 g
Galactose: 0 g
100%
Starch: 0 g
Sucrose: 0.08 g
Glucose: 0 g
Fructose: 0 g
Lactose: 0 g
Maltose: 0 g
Galactose: 0 g
Contains more SucroseSucrose +112.5%
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.
McChicken Sandwich Chicken McNuggets
Lower in Cholesterol ok
Lower in Saturated Fat ok
Rich in minerals ok
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Lower in price Equal
Rich in vitamins Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient McChicken Sandwich Chicken McNuggets Opinion
Calories 273kcal 302kcal Chicken McNuggets
Protein 10.43g 15.79g Chicken McNuggets
Fats 13.21g 19.81g Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin C 1.2mg Chicken McNuggets
Net carbs 26.67g 15.09g McChicken Sandwich
Carbs 27.97g 15.09g McChicken Sandwich
Cholesterol 27mg 44mg McChicken Sandwich
Magnesium 20mg 24mg Chicken McNuggets
Calcium 88mg 11mg McChicken Sandwich
Potassium 173mg 252mg Chicken McNuggets
Iron 1.74mg 0.89mg McChicken Sandwich
Sugar 3.57g 0.08g Chicken McNuggets
Fiber 1.3g McChicken Sandwich
Copper 0.082mg 0.049mg McChicken Sandwich
Zinc 0.63mg 0.59mg McChicken Sandwich
Phosphorus 139mg 272mg Chicken McNuggets
Sodium 624mg 566mg Chicken McNuggets
Manganese 0.358mg 0.14mg McChicken Sandwich
Vitamin B1 0.212mg 0.16mg McChicken Sandwich
Vitamin B2 0.2mg 0.11mg McChicken Sandwich
Vitamin B3 3.942mg 7.4mg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin B5 0.88mg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin B6 0.398mg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin B12 0.19µg 0.33µg Chicken McNuggets
Trans Fat 0.079g 0.114g McChicken Sandwich
Saturated Fat 2.346g 3.261g McChicken Sandwich
Monounsaturated Fat 4.401g 8.134g Chicken McNuggets
Polyunsaturated fat 4.964g 5.61g Chicken McNuggets
Fructose 1.93g 0g McChicken Sandwich
Omega-3 - EPA 0g 0.001g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-3 - DHA 0.003g 0.003g
Omega-3 - ALA 0.43g 0.296g McChicken Sandwich
Omega-3 - DPA 0.002g 0.004g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-3 - Eicosatrienoic acid 0.001g 0.001g
Omega-6 - Gamma-linoleic acid 0.016g 0.025g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-6 - Dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid 0.01g 0.015g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-6 - Eicosadienoic acid 0.009g 0.014g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-6 - Linoleic acid 4.396g 5.105g Chicken McNuggets

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
McChicken Sandwich Chicken McNuggets
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
15%
McChicken Sandwich
30%
Chicken McNuggets
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
35%
McChicken Sandwich
32%
Chicken McNuggets

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
McChicken Sandwich
McChicken Sandwich is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 17mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
McChicken Sandwich
McChicken Sandwich is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 0.915g)
Which food is richer in minerals?
McChicken Sandwich
McChicken Sandwich is relatively richer in minerals
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets is lower in Sugar (difference - 3.49g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets contains less Sodium (difference - 58mg)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets is lower in glycemic index (difference - 20)
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. McChicken Sandwich - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/173305/nutrients
  2. Chicken McNuggets - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/173297/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.