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McDonald's french fries vs. Cheeseburger — In-Depth Nutrition Comparison

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What are the differences between mcDonald's french fries and cheeseburgers?

  • McDonald's french fries are higher in potassium and vitamin B6; however, cheeseburgers are richer in selenium, vitamin B2, iron, zinc, vitamin B3, and calcium.
  • Cheeseburgers' daily need coverage for selenium is 35% more.
  • Cheeseburgers contain 3 times less potassium than mcDonald's french fries. McDonald's french fries contain 596mg of potassium, while cheeseburgers contain 196mg.
  • McDonald's french fries have less sodium.

We used McDONALD'S, french fries and Fast foods, cheeseburger; single, regular patty; plain types in this article.

Infographic

McDonald's french fries vs Cheeseburger 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 26% 5.7% 53% 30% 38% 14% 54% 25% 32% 2.2%
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 19% 36% 17% 102% 37% 68% 69% 67% 41% 107%
Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium +42.3%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium +204.1%
Contains less SodiumSodium -63.3%
Contains more CalciumCalcium +526.3%
Contains more IronIron +238.8%
Contains more ZincZinc +388.2%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus +26.8%
Contains more ManganeseManganese +26.9%
Contains more SeleniumSelenium +4800%
~equal in Copper ~0.111mg

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 19% 0% 28% 0% 45% 8.5% 60% 35% 88% 0% 40% 0% 22%
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% 17% 10% 1.5% 73% 84% 98% 33% 53% 95% 11% 53% 16%
Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C +∞%
Contains more Vitamin EVitamin E +165.4%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6 +66.7%
Contains more Vitamin KVitamin K +281%
Contains more CholineCholine +37.7%
Contains more Vitamin AVitamin A +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1 +62.8%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2 +881.1%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3 +62%
~equal in Vitamin B5 ~0.545mg

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
3% 15% 43% 37% 2%
Protein: 3.41 g
Fats: 15.47 g
Carbs: 42.58 g
Water: 36.63 g
Other: 1.91 g
17% 15% 28% 39% 2%
Protein: 16.51 g
Fats: 14.72 g
Carbs: 28.03 g
Water: 38.63 g
Other: 2.11 g
Contains more CarbsCarbs +51.9%
Contains more ProteinProtein +384.2%
Contains more OtherOther +10.5%
~equal in Fats ~14.72g
~equal in Water ~38.63g

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
16% 51% 33%
Saturated fat: Sat. Fat 2.271 g
Monounsaturated fat: Mono. Fat 7.379 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 4.727 g
48% 40% 12%
Saturated fat: Sat. Fat 6.473 g
Monounsaturated fat: Mono. Fat 5.413 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 1.658 g
Contains less Sat. FatSaturated fat -64.9%
Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated fat +36.3%
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat +185.1%

Carbohydrate type comparison

Carbohydrate type breakdown side-by-side comparison
99%
Starch: 38.23 g
Sucrose: 0.21 g
Glucose: 0 g
Fructose: 0 g
Lactose: 0 g
Maltose: 0 g
Galactose: 0 g
80% 7% 8% 3% 2%
Starch: 19.87 g
Sucrose: 0 g
Glucose: 1.76 g
Fructose: 1.94 g
Lactose: 0.72 g
Maltose: 0.46 g
Galactose: 0 g
Contains more StarchStarch +92.4%
Contains more SucroseSucrose +∞%
Contains more GlucoseGlucose +∞%
Contains more FructoseFructose +∞%
Contains more LactoseLactose +∞%
Contains more MaltoseMaltose +∞%
~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 french fries Cheeseburger
Lower in Cholesterol ok
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Saturated fat ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Rich in minerals ok
Lower in price Equal
Rich in vitamins Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient McDonald's french fries Cheeseburger DV% diff.
Selenium 0.4µg 19.6µg 35%
Vitamin B12 0.76µg 32%
Protein 3.41g 16.51g 26%
Vitamin B2 0.037mg 0.363mg 25%
Iron 0.8mg 2.71mg 24%
Polyunsaturated fat 4.727g 1.658g 20%
Saturated fat 2.271g 6.473g 19%
Folate 70µg 18%
Zinc 0.51mg 2.49mg 18%
Cholesterol 43mg 14%
Sodium 189mg 515mg 14%
Vitamin B6 0.38mg 0.228mg 12%
Vitamin B3 3.22mg 5.217mg 12%
Potassium 596mg 196mg 12%
Calcium 19mg 119mg 10%
Vitamin K 16µg 4.2µg 10%
Vitamin B1 0.18mg 0.293mg 9%
Fiber 3.9g 2g 8%
Starch 38.23g 19.87g 8%
Vitamin C 5.6mg 0mg 6%
Vitamin A 0µg 50µg 6%
Vitamin E 1.38mg 0.52mg 6%
Carbs 42.58g 28.03g 5%
Phosphorus 127mg 161mg 5%
Monounsaturated fat 7.379g 5.413g 5%
Manganese 0.249mg 0.316mg 3%
Magnesium 37mg 26mg 3%
Choline 39.8mg 28.9mg 2%
Fructose 0g 1.94g 2%
Calories 323kcal 308kcal 1%
Vitamin B5 0.59mg 0.545mg 1%
Vitamin D 0.1µg 1%
Fats 15.47g 14.72g 1%
Net carbs 38.68g 26.03g N/A
Vitamin D 2IU 0%
Sugar 0.21g 4.88g N/A
Copper 0.114mg 0.111mg 0%
Trans fat 0.064g 0.57g N/A
Tryptophan 0.155mg 0%
Threonine 0.571mg 0%
Isoleucine 0.755mg 0%
Leucine 1.316mg 0%
Lysine 0.784mg 0%
Methionine 0.377mg 0%
Phenylalanine 0.755mg 0%
Valine 0.881mg 0%
Histidine 0.445mg 0%
Omega-3 - EPA 0g 0.005g N/A
Omega-3 - ALA 0.382g 0.125g N/A
Omega-3 - DPA 0g 0.01g N/A
Omega-3 - Eicosatrienoic acid 0g 0.001g N/A
Omega-6 - Gamma-linoleic acid 0.031g 0.005g N/A
Omega-6 - Dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid 0g 0.015g N/A
Omega-6 - Eicosadienoic acid 0.009g 0.004g N/A
Omega-6 - Linoleic acid 4.251g 1.322g N/A

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
McDonald's french fries Cheeseburger
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
27%
McDonald's french fries
42%
Cheeseburger
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
28%
McDonald's french fries
56%
Cheeseburger

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
McDonald's french fries
McDonald's french fries is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 43mg)
Which food is lower in Sugar?
McDonald's french fries
McDonald's french fries is lower in Sugar (difference - 4.67g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
McDonald's french fries
McDonald's french fries contains less Sodium (difference - 326mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated fat?
McDonald's french fries
McDonald's french fries is lower in Saturated fat (difference - 4.202g)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Cheeseburger
Cheeseburger is lower in glycemic index (difference - 4)
Which food is richer in minerals?
Cheeseburger
Cheeseburger is relatively richer in minerals
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 french fries - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170721/nutrients
  2. Cheeseburger - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170690/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.