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McDonald's hamburger vs McDonald's Cheeseburger - Health impact and Nutrition Comparison

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Article author photo Ani Harutyunyan by Ani Harutyunyan | Last updated on March 07, 2023
Education: General Medicine at YSMU
McDonald's hamburger
vs
McDonald's Cheeseburger

Summary

McDonald’s cheeseburger is higher in vitamin B12, proteins, and iron, while McDonald’s hamburger is higher in phosphorus. Cheeseburger contains 4 times less polyunsaturated fats than a hamburger. Hamburger is lower in sodium content, so it is a better choice for people with hypertension. 

Introduction

This article compares the two most favorite fast foods in America on McDonald’s menu - McDonald’s Hamburger(1) and McDonald’s Cheeseburger (2). Check the sections of the article to find information about the differences in their nutritional composition and health impact

Actual differences

The main difference between McDonald’s classical hamburger and cheeseburger is the slice of American pasteurized cheese, which tops the meat in the cheeseburger. Other ingredients are the same: it is a burger patty prepared from ground beef using various condiments. It is topped with slices of a pickle, chopped onions, mustard, and ketchup

Additionally, hamburger comes from Hamburg, Germany, while cheeseburger has an American origin

Nutrition

This section will compare the nutritional profiles of a 100g serving of McDonald’s hamburger and cheeseburger. Consider that the serving size for a hamburger equals 95g, while a cheeseburger’s serving size is 119g

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains more Fats +16.8%
Contains more Other +11.5%
Equal in Protein - 12.97
Equal in Carbs - 27.81
Equal in Water - 45
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
13% 12% 28% 45% 2%
Protein: 12.97 g
Fats: 11.79 g
Carbs: 27.81 g
Water: 45 g
Other: 2.43 g
Contains more Fats +16.8%
Contains more Other +11.5%
Equal in Protein - 12.97
Equal in Carbs - 27.81
Equal in Water - 45

Calories

Hamburgers and cheeseburgers are classified as medium-calorie foods. Their calorie content is nearly similar

Carbs

Hamburger contains 30.3g of carbs. In contrast, a cheeseburger contains 27.8g of carbs. They are both high in carbs. However, cheeseburger contains fewer carbs. Hamburgers are richer in fructose

Carbohydrate type comparison

Carbohydrate type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains more Fructose +27.4%
Contains more Sucrose +∞%
Contains more Lactose +∞%
Contains more Maltose +33.3%
Equal in Glucose - 2.01
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
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
Contains more Fructose +27.4%
Contains more Sucrose +∞%
Contains more Lactose +∞%
Contains more Maltose +33.3%
Equal in Glucose - 2.01
 

Protein

Cheeseburger is slightly richer in proteins than the hamburger. The difference is not significant. 

Fats

Cheeseburger is higher in fats than the hamburger. It provides 11.8g of fats per 100g compared to 10.1g in hamburger. Cheeseburgers are significantly higher in trans fats. They provide 8mg more cholesterol than hamburgers. 

Surprisingly, a hamburger contains more mono- and polyunsaturated fats than a cheeseburger. 

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains less Saturated Fat -21%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +300%
Equal in Monounsaturated Fat - 3.631
40% 43% 16%
Saturated Fat: 3.504 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 3.768 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 1.42 g
53% 43% 4%
Saturated Fat: 4.435 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 3.631 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 0.355 g
Contains less Saturated Fat -21%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +300%
Equal in Monounsaturated Fat - 3.631
 

Minerals 

Cheeseburger is richer in calcium and phosphorus. Hamburger contains more iron and less sodium: it covers 108% of the DV of iron. 

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" chart below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food
Contains more Iron +22.1%
Contains less Sodium -21.1%
Contains more Calcium +31.5%
Contains more Phosphorus +30.8%
Equal in Magnesium - 20
Equal in Potassium - 200
Equal in Zinc - 1.91
Equal in Copper - 0.097
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper 39% 108% 15% 46% 17% 65% 54% 32%
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper 51% 89% 15% 60% 18% 82% 53% 33%
Contains more Iron +22.1%
Contains less Sodium -21.1%
Contains more Calcium +31.5%
Contains more Phosphorus +30.8%
Equal in Magnesium - 20
Equal in Potassium - 200
Equal in Zinc - 1.91
Equal in Copper - 0.097
 

Vitamins

Hamburger is higher in B vitamins: it contains more vitamins B1, B2, and B3 than a cheeseburger. Cheeseburger provides more vitamins A and B12, covering 15% of the DV of vitamin A

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" chart below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food
:
Contains more Vitamin B1 +10.8%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +12.9%
Contains more Vitamin A +341.8%
Equal in Vitamin C - 0.6
Equal in Vitamin B1 - 0.223
Equal in Vitamin B2 - 0.26
Equal in Folate - 59
Equal in Vitamin B12 - 0.86
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 4% 0% 0% 2% 62% 56% 86% 0% 0% 48% 104% 0%
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 15% 0% 0% 2% 56% 60% 76% 0% 0% 45% 108% 0%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +10.8%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +12.9%
Contains more Vitamin A +341.8%
Equal in Vitamin C - 0.6
Equal in Vitamin B1 - 0.223
Equal in Vitamin B2 - 0.26
Equal in Folate - 59
Equal in Vitamin B12 - 0.86
 

Health impact 

Cardiovascular health

One of the main problems is the sodium concentration of both of these foods. Due to the high sodium level of these foods, nearly one serving of cheeseburger and hamburger combined can exceed the DV for sodium.

Consuming too much sodium raises the risk of hypertension and the development of cardiovascular disease (3) (4). 

Cheeseburger contains 132mg more sodium per 100g, so it is not a better choice for people with hypertension. Try eating lower-sodium foods if you have problems with your blood pressure.

The cholesterol and trans fat content in a cheeseburger are higher. However, as shown by recent meta-analytic studies, dietary cholesterol is not the only factor associated with a higher risk of hyperlipidemia and overall mortality rates. High-calorie intake, saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol are all associated with hyperlipidemia. Remember that only a small portion of the eaten 100 mg of dietary cholesterol is absorbed (5)(6). 

References

  1. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170717/nutrients 
  2. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170320/nutrients 
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34579105/ 
  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29565029/ 
  5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26109578/
  6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27739004/ 
Article author photo Ani Harutyunyan
Education: General Medicine at YSMU
Last updated: March 07, 2023

Infographic

McDonald's hamburger vs McDonald's Cheeseburger infographic
Infographic link

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the most right column. It shows the amounts side by side, making it easier to realize the amount of difference.
McDonald's hamburger McDonald's Cheeseburger
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Cholesterol ok
Lower in Saturated Fat ok
Lower in glycemic index Equal
Lower in price Equal
Rich in minerals Equal
Rich in vitamins Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient McDonald's hamburger McDonald's Cheeseburger Opinion
Net carbs 28.98g 26.71g McDonald's hamburger
Protein 12.92g 12.97g McDonald's Cheeseburger
Fats 10.09g 11.79g McDonald's Cheeseburger
Carbs 30.28g 27.81g McDonald's hamburger
Calories 264kcal 263kcal McDonald's hamburger
Fructose 3.3g 2.59g McDonald's hamburger
Sugar 6.03g 6.22g McDonald's hamburger
Fiber 1.3g 1.1g McDonald's hamburger
Calcium 127mg 167mg McDonald's Cheeseburger
Iron 2.87mg 2.35mg McDonald's hamburger
Magnesium 21mg 20mg McDonald's hamburger
Phosphorus 107mg 140mg McDonald's Cheeseburger
Potassium 192mg 200mg McDonald's Cheeseburger
Sodium 494mg 626mg McDonald's hamburger
Zinc 1.95mg 1.91mg McDonald's hamburger
Copper 0.096mg 0.097mg McDonald's Cheeseburger
Vitamin A 55IU 243IU McDonald's Cheeseburger
Vitamin C 0.6mg 0.6mg
Vitamin B1 0.247mg 0.223mg McDonald's hamburger
Vitamin B2 0.239mg 0.26mg McDonald's Cheeseburger
Vitamin B3 4.544mg 4.026mg McDonald's hamburger
Folate 64µg 59µg McDonald's hamburger
Vitamin B12 0.83µg 0.86µg McDonald's Cheeseburger
Cholesterol 27mg 35mg McDonald's hamburger
Trans Fat 0.428g 0.647g McDonald's hamburger
Saturated Fat 3.504g 4.435g McDonald's hamburger
Omega-3 - EPA 0.002g McDonald's hamburger
Omega-3 - DPA 0.006g McDonald's hamburger
Monounsaturated Fat 3.768g 3.631g McDonald's hamburger
Polyunsaturated fat 1.42g 0.355g McDonald's hamburger
Omega-6 - Eicosadienoic acid 0.004g McDonald's hamburger
Omega-6 - Linoleic acid 1.135g McDonald's hamburger
Omega-6 - Gamma-linoleic acid 0.004g McDonald's hamburger
Omega-3 - ALA 0.134g McDonald's hamburger
Omega-3 - Eicosatrienoic acid 0.001g McDonald's hamburger
Omega-6 - Dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid 0.011g McDonald's hamburger

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
McDonald's hamburger McDonald's Cheeseburger
Low Fats diet ok
Low Carbs diet ok
Low Calories diet ok
Low glycemic index diet Equal

People also compare

Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores show how much of your all daily needs across all vitamins or minerals this food would cover if you took three 100 grams servings of it (approximation of 3 serving sizes)
Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score
30%
McDonald's hamburger
30%
McDonald's Cheeseburger
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
47%
McDonald's hamburger
50%
McDonald's Cheeseburger

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Sugar?
McDonald's hamburger
McDonald's hamburger is lower in Sugar (difference - 0.19g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
McDonald's hamburger
McDonald's hamburger contains less Sodium (difference - 132mg)
Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
McDonald's hamburger
McDonald's hamburger is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 8mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
McDonald's hamburger
McDonald's hamburger is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 0.931g)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
?
The foods have equal glycemic indexes ()
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

The source of all the nutrient values on the page (excluding the main article the sources for which are presented separately if present) is the USDA's FoodCentral. The exact links to the foods 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. McDonald's Cheeseburger - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170320/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.