A McDonald’s survival guide for dieters
September 5th, 2008, 7:00 am · 8 Comments · posted by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer
I subscribe to a e-newsletter called Hungry Girl — which gives tips and tricks for gals watching their waistline, but who still desire tasty eats.
Typically, Hungry Girl doesn’t give me a lot of fast food recommendations. But, I was pleasantly surprised when she dedicated a whole story this week on How to Survive Eating at the Golden Arches — aka McDonald’s.
Here’s a few things she mentioned:
It’s OK to eat an Egg McMuffin — even with the Canadian Bacon: “Order it without cheese — you’ve still got Canadian bacon ‘n egg
s! — and it’ll total only 250 calories, 9g fat, 29g carbs, and 2g fiber,” she notes.
She also recommends the Bacon Ranch Salad with Grilled Chicken, Asian Salad with Grilled Chicken, a hamburger and some of the Snack Wraps. (Unfortunately, she doesn’t recommend my fave: The Ranch Snack Wrap.)
Bottom line, when ordering at Mickey D’s, says Hungry Girl: “.. always grilled, never fried! “Big” and “Double” are as bad as they sound. If you want something decadent, go for bacon or ranch — not both. Just say NO to mayo. And don’t order a snack wrap expecting it to be much more than just that… a snack (they’re not large, people!).”
To read Hungry Girl’s tips, and FULL nutritional survival guide to eating at McDonald’s, go here.
Related stories:
- Meet the chefs responsible for crafting McDonald’s foods
- Wendy’s adds healthier milk, yogurt to kids meals
- Burger King kids meal choices gets makeover (July, 2008)
- Wendy’s takes on McDonald’s, with new 99-cent Double Stack burger
- Fast-food failing to serve kids healthy choices, survey says.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:56 am
#1 diet tip for McDonalds is the Vanilla Cone.
It’s a satisfying treat/dessert for only 150 calories.
Otherwise imagine you are eating at McDonalds in the 1961, there are no quarter pounders, no jumbo fries. Order the normal hamburger and “small” fries.
Portion sizes have gone up, but our capacity to burn it off hasn’t.
September 5th, 2008 at 11:47 am
small hamburger and small fry is the way to go.
September 5th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I LOVE my daily Hungry Girl emails! A must for all who love to eat, but care about their health and want to look good, too! Her book is awesome as well!
September 5th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
The best portion is the hamburger kids’ meal! substitute the fries with the apple dippers and opt for ice tea instead of soda.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
My tip? Get the big Mac, but take out the meat patties. All the flavor is in the sauce anyhow, and you’ll save a BUNCH of fat calories AND sodium!
September 5th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
If im going to McDonalds I always get a cheeseburger happy meal with a diet coke … so filling and yummy plus you get a toy !
September 5th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
McDonalds is garbage food, do yourselves a favor and avoid this junk. Cook more meals at home and spend more time with family.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I aggree with Isabel, the free toy will get me everytime