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

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

  • McDonald's hamburger is higher in Iron, Vitamin B12, Zinc, Calcium, Vitamin B2, Manganese, and Vitamin B1, however, Chicken McNuggets are richer in Phosphorus, and Vitamin B3.
  • McDonald's hamburger's daily need coverage for Iron is 25% more.
  • Chicken McNuggets contain 12 times less Calcium than McDonald's hamburger. McDonald's hamburger contains 127mg of Calcium, while Chicken McNuggets contain 11mg.
  • McDonald's hamburger has less Cholesterol.

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

Infographic

McDonald's hamburger 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 15% 38% 17% 108% 32% 53% 46% 64% 42% 143%
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 +1054.5%
Contains more IronIron +222.5%
Contains more CopperCopper +95.9%
Contains more ZincZinc +230.5%
Contains less SodiumSodium -12.7%
Contains more ManganeseManganese +130%
Contains more SeleniumSelenium +∞%
Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium +14.3%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium +31.3%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus +154.2%

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 2% 3.3% 0% 0% 62% 55% 85% 0% 0% 104% 0% 48% 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 +54.4%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2 +117.3%
Contains more Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 +151.5%
Contains more FolateFolate +∞%
Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C +100%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3 +62.9%
~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% 10% 30% 45% 2%
Protein: 12.92 g
Fats: 10.09 g
Carbs: 30.28 g
Water: 44.53 g
Other: 2.18 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 +100.7%
Contains more ProteinProtein +22.2%
Contains more FatsFats +96.3%
~equal in Water ~47.13g
~equal in Other ~2.18g

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
40% 43% 16%
Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 3.504 g
Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 3.768 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 1.42 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 more Mono. FatMonounsaturated Fat +115.9%
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat +295.1%
~equal in Saturated Fat ~3.261g

Carbohydrate type comparison

Carbohydrate type breakdown side-by-side comparison
35% 55% 10%
Starch: 0 g
Sucrose: 0 g
Glucose: 2.1 g
Fructose: 3.3 g
Lactose: 0 g
Maltose: 0.63 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 GlucoseGlucose +∞%
Contains more FructoseFructose +∞%
Contains more MaltoseMaltose +∞%
Contains more SucroseSucrose +∞%
~equal in Starch ~0g
~equal in Lactose ~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 hamburger Chicken McNuggets
Lower in Cholesterol ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Saturated Fat ok
Lower in price Equal
Rich in minerals Equal
Rich in vitamins Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient McDonald's hamburger Chicken McNuggets Opinion
Calories 264kcal 302kcal Chicken McNuggets
Protein 12.92g 15.79g Chicken McNuggets
Fats 10.09g 19.81g Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin C 0.6mg 1.2mg Chicken McNuggets
Net carbs 28.98g 15.09g McDonald's hamburger
Carbs 30.28g 15.09g McDonald's hamburger
Cholesterol 27mg 44mg McDonald's hamburger
Magnesium 21mg 24mg Chicken McNuggets
Calcium 127mg 11mg McDonald's hamburger
Potassium 192mg 252mg Chicken McNuggets
Iron 2.87mg 0.89mg McDonald's hamburger
Sugar 6.03g 0.08g Chicken McNuggets
Fiber 1.3g McDonald's hamburger
Copper 0.096mg 0.049mg McDonald's hamburger
Zinc 1.95mg 0.59mg McDonald's hamburger
Phosphorus 107mg 272mg Chicken McNuggets
Sodium 494mg 566mg McDonald's hamburger
Vitamin A 55IU McDonald's hamburger
Manganese 0.322mg 0.14mg McDonald's hamburger
Selenium 26.2µg McDonald's hamburger
Vitamin B1 0.247mg 0.16mg McDonald's hamburger
Vitamin B2 0.239mg 0.11mg McDonald's hamburger
Vitamin B3 4.544mg 7.4mg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin B5 0.88mg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin B6 0.398mg Chicken McNuggets
Vitamin B12 0.83µg 0.33µg McDonald's hamburger
Folate 64µg McDonald's hamburger
Trans Fat 0.428g 0.114g Chicken McNuggets
Saturated Fat 3.504g 3.261g Chicken McNuggets
Monounsaturated Fat 3.768g 8.134g Chicken McNuggets
Polyunsaturated fat 1.42g 5.61g Chicken McNuggets
Fructose 3.3g 0g McDonald's hamburger
Omega-3 - EPA 0.002g 0.001g McDonald's hamburger
Omega-3 - DHA 0g 0.003g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-3 - ALA 0.134g 0.296g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-3 - DPA 0.006g 0.004g McDonald's hamburger
Omega-3 - Eicosatrienoic acid 0.001g 0.001g
Omega-6 - Gamma-linoleic acid 0.004g 0.025g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-6 - Dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid 0.011g 0.015g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-6 - Eicosadienoic acid 0.004g 0.014g Chicken McNuggets
Omega-6 - Linoleic acid 1.135g 5.105g Chicken McNuggets

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
McDonald's hamburger 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 hamburger
30%
Chicken McNuggets
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
56%
McDonald's hamburger
32%
Chicken McNuggets

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
McDonald's hamburger
McDonald's hamburger is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 17mg)
Which food contains less Sodium?
McDonald's hamburger
McDonald's hamburger contains less Sodium (difference - 72mg)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
McDonald's hamburger
McDonald's hamburger is lower in glycemic index (difference - 46)
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets is lower in Sugar (difference - 5.95g)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 0.243g)
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 hamburger - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170717/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.