That question has been asked many times, because for all the delicious fat and salt you’re eating, it’s not always obvious that it’s going to clog up your arteries in the long run. But is it healthy?
According to the Food Babe, it’s not. But that begs the question: is it safe to eat McDonald’s once a week? I will go into details of both opinions in this article to hopefully answer that question.
Eating at McDonald’s for most people is a guilty pleasure, not something they do every day. They might have an occasional meal there, but this doesn’t mean that every meal is bad. If you’re one of those people who have a Big Mac and fries as a weekly treat then don’t worry about your health too much. Is it good for you? No, not really. But once a week is unlikely to throw your diet off the tracks or is likely to cause you significant harm.
You’re probably familiar with the saying that everything in moderation. That is the thought that crosses most people’s minds when they hear that McDonalds and other fast food restaurants are not the healthiest food to eat all of the time. Yet, there are many who feel that having a meal here and there at McDonalds or another fast food chain will not harm them and their body.
McDonald’s is one of the most convenient ways to grab a meal, but perhaps not the best. The chain has become synonymous with unhealthy eating habits and obesity rates.
Still if you are wondering: Is it OK to eat McDonald’s once a week?
The short answer is yes — as long as you stick to healthy choices. But be wary of the sodium count in your favorite menu items. Here are some tips for having a healthy McDonald’s meal:
1. Order a Happy Meal. It has more vegetables than the Big Mac.
2. Choose an entree that has less than 600 mg sodium per serving. Items like the Egg McMuffin, Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait and Premium Chicken Sandwich meet this criteria. Even though these foods aren’t considered “healthy,” they do have fewer calories than other options on the menu, such as hash browns or french fries.
3. Avoid ordering anything that comes with fries. Fries are high in fat and sodium, which means they aren’t good for your heart or waistline. If you’re craving a side of fries, opt for the smaller Classic Fries instead of the larger portion sizes offered on some menu items. You’ll save about 50 calories per serving.
4. The same goes for sweetened drinks such their juice blends. They contain large amounts of sugar and calories that will add up quickly if you drink several servings each day. Instead, drink water or unsweetened tea to stay hydrated without derailing your diet plan.
5. Skip the soda and drink water instead. A 16-ounce Coke contains 39 grams of sugar — nearly 10 teaspoons worth! That’s more than twice what’s recommended for children and teens to consume in an entire day (which is 24 grams). And there are no free refills on soda at McDonald’s, so you’ll have to buy another one if you want more later on in the day or evening.
6. If you’re craving something sweet, try ordering a side of apple slices instead of ice cream or milkshakes.
7. Opt for grilled chicken over fried chicken or beef patties in sandwiches or wraps. But if you’re craving something greasy, go for a double cheeseburger instead of two single cheeseburgers (which contain more calories). You’ll also save a few bucks since it costs just $2 more than two singles at most locations.
8. You can also try ordering an egg McMuffin with cheese on an English muffin instead of a sandwich; this will save you about 80 calories and 7 grams of fat per serving.
9. Don’t order chicken nuggets unless they’re grilled rather than fried — they contain twice.
10. Order your food with extra lettuce and tomato.
11. Order your burger without mayonnaise or cheese.
12. Avoid ordering super-sized items.
13. Skip the deep-fried foods.
14. Choose grilled chicken over fried chicken.
15. Don’t order milkshakes.
CONCLUSION.
To sum it up, you can eat a healthy meal at McDonald’s if you aren’t worried about your caloric intake. There is a lot of food that is available on their menu that you can have without having to worry about the negative health effects. You can do it if you apply some of the tips that we have provided above!