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

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The main differences between mcDonald's Big Mac and candy bar

  • McDonald's Big Mac is richer in vitamin B12 and iron, yet candy bar is richer in copper, manganese, vitamin B3, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc.
  • Daily need coverage for copper for candy bar is 75% higher.
  • Candy bar contains less cholesterol.
  • Candy bar has a lower glycemic index than mcDonald's Big Mac.

Food types used in this article are McDONALD'S, BIG MAC and Candies, peanut bar.

Infographic

McDonald's Big Mac vs Candy bar 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%
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 79% 23% 36% 36% 258% 107% 132% 20% 162% 26%
Contains more CalciumCalcium +48.7%
Contains more IronIron +106.2%
Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium +450%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium +124.9%
Contains more CopperCopper +689.8%
Contains more ZincZinc +106.3%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus +152.5%
Contains less SodiumSodium -66.1%
Contains more ManganeseManganese +503.4%

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%
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% 82% 0% 25% 32% 149% 50% 35308% 0% 0% 56% 16%
Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1 +76%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2 +49.3%
Contains more Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3 +134.1%
Contains more FolateFolate +63%
~equal in Vitamin A ~0µg
~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
16% 34% 47% 2%
Protein: 15.5 g
Fats: 33.7 g
Carbs: 47.4 g
Water: 1.6 g
Other: 1.8 g
Contains more WaterWater +3106.3%
Contains more ProteinProtein +31.1%
Contains more FatsFats +125.3%
Contains more CarbsCarbs +136.1%
~equal in Other ~1.8g

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
50% 46% 4%
Saturated fat: Sat. Fat 3.803 g
Monounsaturated fat: Mono. Fat 3.474 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 0.306 g
15% 52% 33%
Saturated fat: Sat. Fat 4.678 g
Monounsaturated fat: Mono. Fat 16.721 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 10.65 g
Contains less Sat. FatSaturated fat -18.7%
Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated fat +381.3%
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat +3380.4%

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 Candy bar
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Saturated fat ok
Lower in Cholesterol ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Rich in minerals ok
Rich in vitamins ok
Lower in price Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient McDonald's Big Mac Candy bar DV% diff.
Vitamin B6 153mg 11769%
Copper 0.098mg 0.774mg 75%
Polyunsaturated fat 0.306g 10.65g 69%
Manganese 0.206mg 1.243mg 45%
Vitamin B12 0.88µg 0µg 37%
Monounsaturated fat 3.474g 16.721g 33%
Fats 14.96g 33.7g 29%
Vitamin B3 3.384mg 7.922mg 28%
Vitamin E 4.1mg 27%
Phosphorus 122mg 308mg 27%
Magnesium 20mg 110mg 21%
Zinc 1.91mg 3.94mg 18%
Vitamin B5 0.83mg 17%
Sodium 460mg 156mg 13%
Calories 257kcal 522kcal 13%
Iron 2mg 0.97mg 13%
Cholesterol 36mg 0mg 12%
Fiber 1.6g 4.1g 10%
Selenium 4.7µg 9%
Carbs 20.08g 47.4g 9%
Folate 46µg 75µg 7%
Potassium 181mg 407mg 7%
Protein 11.82g 15.5g 7%
Vitamin B1 0.176mg 0.1mg 6%
Choline 29.4mg 5%
Vitamin B2 0.209mg 0.14mg 5%
Calcium 116mg 78mg 4%
Saturated fat 3.803g 4.678g 4%
Fructose 1.69g 2%
Vitamin C 0.4mg 0mg 0%
Net carbs 18.48g 43.3g N/A
Sugar 3.97g 42.22g N/A
Trans fat 0.588g N/A
Tryptophan 0.149mg 0%
Threonine 0.52mg 0%
Isoleucine 0.534mg 0%
Leucine 0.986mg 0%
Lysine 0.545mg 0%
Methionine 0.185mg 0%
Phenylalanine 0.787mg 0%
Valine 0.638mg 0%
Histidine 0.385mg 0%

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
McDonald's Big Mac Candy bar
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
2748%
Candy bar
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
36%
McDonald's Big Mac
88%
Candy bar

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Sugar?
McDonald's Big Mac
McDonald's Big Mac is lower in Sugar (difference - 38.25g)
Which food is lower in Saturated fat?
McDonald's Big Mac
McDonald's Big Mac is lower in Saturated fat (difference - 0.875g)
Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
Candy bar
Candy bar is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 36mg)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Candy bar
Candy bar contains less Sodium (difference - 304mg)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Candy bar
Candy bar is lower in glycemic index (difference - 15)
Which food is richer in minerals?
Candy bar
Candy bar is relatively richer in minerals
Which food is richer in vitamins?
Candy bar
Candy bar is relatively richer in vitamins
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. McDonald's Big Mac - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170720/nutrients
  2. Candy bar - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169585/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.