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McDonald's Cheeseburger vs. Chicken McNuggets — In-Depth Nutrition Comparison

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Important differences between McDonald's Cheeseburger and Chicken McNuggets

  • McDonald's Cheeseburger has more Vitamin B12, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, Vitamin B2, Copper, and Vitamin B1, however, Chicken McNuggets has more Vitamin B3, and Phosphorus.
  • McDonald's Cheeseburger's daily need coverage for Vitamin B12 is 22% more.
  • McDonald's Cheeseburger has 15 times more Calcium than Chicken McNuggets. McDonald's Cheeseburger has 167mg of Calcium, while Chicken McNuggets have 11mg.
  • Chicken McNuggets are lower in Saturated Fat.

The food varieties used in the comparison are McDONALD'S, Cheeseburger and McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS.

Infographic

McDonald's Cheeseburger 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% 50% 18% 88% 32% 52% 60% 82% 30% 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 +1418.2%
Contains more IronIron +164%
Contains more CopperCopper +98%
Contains more ZincZinc +223.7%
Contains more ManganeseManganese +64.3%
Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium +20%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium +26%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus +94.3%
~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 2% 15% 0% 0% 56% 60% 75% 0% 0% 108% 0% 44% 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 AVitamin A +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1 +39.4%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2 +136.4%
Contains more Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 +160.6%
Contains more FolateFolate +∞%
Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C +100%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3 +83.8%
~equal in Vitamin E ~mg
~equal in Vitamin D ~µg
~equal in Vitamin K ~µg
~equal in Choline ~mg

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
13% 12% 28% 45% 2%
Protein: 12.97 g
Fats: 11.79 g
Carbs: 27.81 g
Water: 45 g
Other: 2.43 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 +84.3%
Contains more OtherOther +11.5%
Contains more ProteinProtein +21.7%
Contains more FatsFats +68%
~equal in Water ~47.13g

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
53% 43% 4%
Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 4.435 g
Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 3.631 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 0.355 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 -26.5%
Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated Fat +124%
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat +1480.3%

Carbohydrate type comparison

Carbohydrate type breakdown side-by-side comparison
4% 32% 42% 9% 14%
Starch: 0 g
Sucrose: 0.24 g
Glucose: 2.01 g
Fructose: 2.59 g
Lactose: 0.54 g
Maltose: 0.84 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 +200%
Contains more GlucoseGlucose +∞%
Contains more FructoseFructose +∞%
Contains more LactoseLactose +∞%
Contains more MaltoseMaltose +∞%
~equal in Starch ~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.
McDonald's Cheeseburger Chicken McNuggets
Lower in Cholesterol ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Rich in minerals 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 Cheeseburger Chicken McNuggets Opinion
Calories 263kcal 302kcal Chicken McNuggets
Protein 12.97g 15.79g Chicken McNuggets
Fats 11.79g 19.81g Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin C 0.6mg 1.2mg Chicken McNuggets
Net carbs 26.71g 15.09g McDonald's Cheeseburger
Carbs 27.81g 15.09g McDonald's Cheeseburger
Cholesterol 35mg 44mg McDonald's Cheeseburger
Magnesium 20mg 24mg Chicken McNuggets
Calcium 167mg 11mg McDonald's Cheeseburger
Potassium 200mg 252mg Chicken McNuggets
Iron 2.35mg 0.89mg McDonald's Cheeseburger
Sugar 6.22g 0.08g Chicken McNuggets
Fiber 1.1g McDonald's Cheeseburger
Copper 0.097mg 0.049mg McDonald's Cheeseburger
Zinc 1.91mg 0.59mg McDonald's Cheeseburger
Phosphorus 140mg 272mg Chicken McNuggets
Sodium 626mg 566mg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin A 243IU McDonald's Cheeseburger
Manganese 0.23mg 0.14mg McDonald's Cheeseburger
Vitamin B1 0.223mg 0.16mg McDonald's Cheeseburger
Vitamin B2 0.26mg 0.11mg McDonald's Cheeseburger
Vitamin B3 4.026mg 7.4mg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin B5 0.88mg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin B6 0.398mg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin B12 0.86µg 0.33µg McDonald's Cheeseburger
Folate 59µg McDonald's Cheeseburger
Trans Fat 0.647g 0.114g Chicken McNuggets
Saturated Fat 4.435g 3.261g Chicken McNuggets
Monounsaturated Fat 3.631g 8.134g Chicken McNuggets
Polyunsaturated fat 0.355g 5.61g Chicken McNuggets
Fructose 2.59g 0g McDonald's Cheeseburger
Omega-3 - EPA 0.001g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-3 - DHA 0.003g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-3 - ALA 0.296g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-3 - DPA 0.004g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-3 - Eicosatrienoic acid 0.001g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-6 - Gamma-linoleic acid 0.025g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-6 - Dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid 0.015g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-6 - Eicosadienoic acid 0.014g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-6 - Linoleic acid 5.105g Chicken McNuggets

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
McDonald's Cheeseburger Chicken McNuggets
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
28%
McDonald's Cheeseburger
30%
Chicken McNuggets
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
43%
McDonald's Cheeseburger
32%
Chicken McNuggets

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
McDonald's Cheeseburger
McDonald's Cheeseburger is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 9mg)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
McDonald's Cheeseburger
McDonald's Cheeseburger is lower in glycemic index (difference - 46)
Which food is richer in minerals?
McDonald's Cheeseburger
McDonald's Cheeseburger is relatively richer in minerals
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets is lower in Sugar (difference - 6.14g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets contains less Sodium (difference - 60mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 1.174g)
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 Cheeseburger - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170320/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.