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

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Significant differences between mcDonald's Big Mac and beer

  • The amount of vitamin B12, iron, vitamin B3, zinc, phosphorus, vitamin B1, and vitamin B2 in mcDonald's Big Mac is higher than in beer.
  • McDonald's Big Mac covers your daily vitamin B12 needs 36% more than beer.
  • Beer has a higher glycemic index. The glycemic index of beer is 104, while the glycemic index of mcDonald's Big Mac is 66.

Specific food types used in this comparison are McDONALD'S, BIG MAC and Alcoholic beverage, beer, regular, all.

Infographic

McDonald's Big Mac vs Beer 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% 35% 16% 75% 33% 52% 52% 60% 27% 0%
Beer
2
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 4.3% 1.2% 2.4% 0.75% 1.7% 0.27% 6% 0.52% 1% 3.3%
Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium +233.3%
Contains more CalciumCalcium +2800%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium +570.4%
Contains more IronIron +9900%
Contains more CopperCopper +1860%
Contains more ZincZinc +19000%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus +771.4%
Contains more ManganeseManganese +2475%
Contains less SodiumSodium -99.1%

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 1.3% 0% 0% 0% 44% 48% 63% 0% 0% 110% 0% 35% 0%
Beer
3
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% 1.3% 5.8% 9.6% 2.5% 11% 2.5% 0% 4.5% 5.5%
Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1 +3420%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2 +736%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3 +559.6%
Contains more Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 +4300%
Contains more FolateFolate +666.7%
~equal in Vitamin A ~0µg
~equal in Vitamin E ~0mg
~equal in Vitamin D ~0µg
~equal in Vitamin K ~0µg

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
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
Beer
2
4% 92% 4%
Protein: 0.46 g
Fats: 0 g
Carbs: 3.55 g
Water: 91.96 g
Other: 4.03 g
Contains more ProteinProtein +2469.6%
Contains more FatsFats +∞%
Contains more CarbsCarbs +465.6%
Contains more WaterWater +79.3%
Contains more OtherOther +119%

Comparison summary table

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

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient McDonald's Big Mac Beer DV% diff.
Vitamin B12 0.88µg 0.02µg 36%
Iron 2mg 0.02mg 25%
Fats 14.96g 0g 23%
Protein 11.82g 0.46g 23%
Sodium 460mg 4mg 20%
Vitamin B3 3.384mg 0.513mg 18%
Zinc 1.91mg 0.01mg 17%
Saturated fat 3.803g 0g 17%
Phosphorus 122mg 14mg 15%
Vitamin B2 0.209mg 0.025mg 14%
Vitamin B1 0.176mg 0.005mg 14%
Cholesterol 36mg 0mg 12%
Calories 257kcal 43kcal 11%
Calcium 116mg 4mg 11%
Copper 0.098mg 0.005mg 10%
Folate 46µg 6µg 10%
Manganese 0.206mg 0.008mg 9%
Monounsaturated fat 3.474g 0g 9%
Carbs 20.08g 3.55g 6%
Fiber 1.6g 0g 6%
Potassium 181mg 27mg 5%
Vitamin B6 0.046mg 4%
Magnesium 20mg 6mg 3%
Polyunsaturated fat 0.306g 0g 2%
Choline 10.1mg 2%
Fructose 1.69g 0g 2%
Selenium 0.6µg 1%
Vitamin B5 0.041mg 1%
Vitamin C 0.4mg 0mg 0%
Net carbs 18.48g 3.55g N/A
Sugar 3.97g 0g N/A
Trans fat 0.588g 0g N/A

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
McDonald's Big Mac Beer
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
23%
McDonald's Big Mac
3%
Beer
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
36%
McDonald's Big Mac
2%
Beer

Comparison summary

Which food is richer in minerals?
McDonald's Big Mac
McDonald's Big Mac is relatively richer in minerals
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
McDonald's Big Mac
McDonald's Big Mac is lower in glycemic index (difference - 38)
Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
Beer
Beer is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 36mg)
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Beer
Beer is lower in Sugar (difference - 3.97g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Beer
Beer contains less Sodium (difference - 456mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated fat?
Beer
Beer is lower in Saturated fat (difference - 3.803g)
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. McDonald's Big Mac - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170720/nutrients
  2. Beer - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168746/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.