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

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

Compare

What are the differences between McDonald's french fries and Chicken McNuggets?

  • McDonald's french fries are higher in Potassium, and Copper, however, Chicken McNuggets are richer in Vitamin B3, Phosphorus, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B2, and Polyunsaturated fat.
  • Chicken McNuggets' daily need coverage for Vitamin B3 is 26% more.
  • Chicken McNuggets contain 2 times less Potassium than McDonald's french fries. McDonald's french fries contain 596mg of Potassium, while Chicken McNuggets contain 252mg.
  • McDonald's french fries have less Saturated Fat.

We used McDONALD'S, french fries and McDONALD'S, Chicken McNUGGETS types in this article.

Infographic

McDonald's french fries 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 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 17% 3.3% 22% 33% 16% 16% 117% 74% 18% 0%
Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium +54.2%
Contains more CalciumCalcium +72.7%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium +136.5%
Contains more CopperCopper +132.7%
Contains less SodiumSodium -66.6%
Contains more ManganeseManganese +77.9%
Contains more SeleniumSelenium +∞%
Contains more IronIron +11.3%
Contains more ZincZinc +15.7%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus +114.2%

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 4% 0% 0% 0% 40% 25% 139% 53% 92% 41% 0% 0% 0%
Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C +366.7%
Contains more Vitamin EVitamin E +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1 +12.5%
Contains more Vitamin KVitamin K +∞%
Contains more CholineCholine +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2 +197.3%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3 +129.8%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5 +49.2%
~equal in Vitamin A ~IU
~equal in Vitamin D ~µg
~equal in Vitamin B6 ~0.398mg
~equal in Folate ~µg

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
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 +182.2%
Contains more ProteinProtein +363%
Contains more FatsFats +28.1%
Contains more WaterWater +28.7%
Contains more OtherOther +14.1%

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
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 -30.4%
Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated Fat +10.2%
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat +18.7%

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
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 StarchStarch +∞%
Contains more SucroseSucrose +162.5%
~equal in Glucose ~0g
~equal in Fructose ~0g
~equal in Lactose ~0g
~equal in Maltose ~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 french fries Chicken McNuggets
Lower in Cholesterol ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Saturated Fat ok
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Lower in price Equal
Rich in minerals Equal
Rich in vitamins Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient McDonald's french fries Chicken McNuggets Opinion
Calories 323kcal 302kcal McDonald's french fries
Protein 3.41g 15.79g Chicken McNuggets
Fats 15.47g 19.81g Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin C 5.6mg 1.2mg McDonald's french fries
Net carbs 38.68g 15.09g McDonald's french fries
Carbs 42.58g 15.09g McDonald's french fries
Cholesterol 44mg McDonald's french fries
Magnesium 37mg 24mg McDonald's french fries
Calcium 19mg 11mg McDonald's french fries
Potassium 596mg 252mg McDonald's french fries
Iron 0.8mg 0.89mg Chicken McNuggets
Sugar 0.21g 0.08g Chicken McNuggets
Fiber 3.9g McDonald's french fries
Copper 0.114mg 0.049mg McDonald's french fries
Zinc 0.51mg 0.59mg Chicken McNuggets
Starch 38.23g McDonald's french fries
Phosphorus 127mg 272mg Chicken McNuggets
Sodium 189mg 566mg McDonald's french fries
Vitamin E 1.38mg McDonald's french fries
Manganese 0.249mg 0.14mg McDonald's french fries
Selenium 0.4µg McDonald's french fries
Vitamin B1 0.18mg 0.16mg McDonald's french fries
Vitamin B2 0.037mg 0.11mg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin B3 3.22mg 7.4mg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin B5 0.59mg 0.88mg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin B6 0.38mg 0.398mg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin B12 0.33µg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin K 16µg McDonald's french fries
Trans Fat 0.064g 0.114g McDonald's french fries
Choline 39.8mg McDonald's french fries
Saturated Fat 2.271g 3.261g McDonald's french fries
Monounsaturated Fat 7.379g 8.134g Chicken McNuggets
Polyunsaturated fat 4.727g 5.61g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-3 - EPA 0g 0.001g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-3 - DHA 0g 0.003g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-3 - ALA 0.382g 0.296g McDonald's french fries
Omega-3 - DPA 0g 0.004g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-3 - Eicosatrienoic acid 0g 0.001g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-6 - Gamma-linoleic acid 0.031g 0.025g McDonald's french fries
Omega-6 - Dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid 0g 0.015g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-6 - Eicosadienoic acid 0.009g 0.014g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-6 - Linoleic acid 4.251g 5.105g Chicken McNuggets

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
McDonald's french fries 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
27%
McDonald's french fries
30%
Chicken McNuggets
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
28%
McDonald's french fries
32%
Chicken McNuggets

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
McDonald's french fries
McDonald's french fries is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 44mg)
Which food contains less Sodium?
McDonald's french fries
McDonald's french fries contains less Sodium (difference - 377mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
McDonald's french fries
McDonald's french fries is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 0.99g)
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets is lower in Sugar (difference - 0.13g)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets is lower in glycemic index (difference - 24)
Which food is cheaper?
?
The foods are relatively equal in price ($)
Which food is richer in minerals?
?
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.
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. 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.