One of the biggest debates of the last twenty years has been the health and safety of the food at McDonald’s and Burger King. Both have made questionable decisions involving additives on the menu, and some have sworn off the food entirely to escape adverse effects. So which is healthier and better, McDonald’s or Burger King?
Comparing food taste and makeup is a slippery slope that could make you lose interest in your food because of its adverse effects on you and your family. Learning what foods you can and cannot eat is complex and could induce stress and anger in some. So read on and learn everything you need to know about which is healthier, Burger King or McDonald’s.
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Burger King vs. McDonald’s: Which is Healthier?
Eating at Burger King or McDonald’s is usually borne out of convenience. The food is readily available, and there’s no mess to clean at home or shopping to get through. But unfortunately, choosing the easier route can often lead to adverse side effects or start you down a path of negative health effects that last the rest of your life.
Knowing What Makes Healthy Foods is Essential
To know which fast food place is healthier, you must understand what goes into healthy eating. Knowing your food’s nutritional value is critical to teaching yourself what you can have when attending restaurants. Remember that the most popular items, the Whopper and Big Mac, have few nutritional qualities, and if you are eating better, other options are available at the restaurant.
A few nutritional facts to look at when eating at McDonald’s or Burger King are as follows:
- Calories – The most significant thing to look at when eating out is the calorie count of your meal. It is suggested that a regular diet is 2000 calories, and there are selections at both stores that can reach 1500 calories for a single meal. However, be careful with calories, as having too many in your diet is a surefire way to have adverse health effects.
- Fat – Another stat to check on the menu is how much fat something has. If your selection is high in fat, it could lead to clogged arteries and increased cholesterol levels. Cholesterol will clog your arteries and open a laundry list of problems for your heart.
- Carbs – Carbohydrates have been shown to have adverse health effects that can lead to Type II Diabetes. Carbohydrates from fresh fruits and vegetables are good for you, but the concentration of sugars in food at Burger King and McDonald’s can be toxic for the body.
- Protein – Protein is a great thing to look out for. If something is higher in protein, chances are it is healthier. Choose beef, chicken, or fish to get items higher in protein. Some foods with eggs are also higher in protein. Protein-rich meals keep you fuller for longer and help you build muscle.
By keeping an eye on these three things when you look at the menu, you have a much better chance of making a selection that isn’t harmful. In addition, once you know what to avoid, you can look at the menu more objectively and make better choices. After a few trips, you will know what works best for you, and the rest of the menu will be inconsequential.
Varieties of Healthy Food at McDonald’s and Burger King
One of the most essential things restaurants can do is offer healthy options for customers. Healthy options will be light on calories and fat while still being filling. McDonald’s does a much better job of providing more nutritious options than Burger King, which has a healthy salad option that is 500 calories before dressing.
Some of the healthy options at Burger King and McDonald’s are:
- Bacon Ranch Grilled Chicken Salad – Salads are more prominent at McD’s, and the Bacon Ranch Grilled is one of the healthier options. It has 320 calories, 14g of fat, 9g of carbs, and 42g of protein. Eating a salad without the dressing can save calories but be hard for people who need flavor in their meals.
- The Impossible Whopper – While there could be ingredients that make it higher in calories and fat, the Impossible Whopper only has 240 calories, 14g of fat, 9g of carbs, and 19 grams of protein. The Impossible Whopper is a healthier option but isn’t available in some areas.
- Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich – McDonald’s does a great job of having items high in protein and filling for folks on the go. The Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich has 380 calories, 6g of fat, 45g of carbs, and 36g of protein. Grilled Chicken is an excellent choice to be health-conscious while indulging in sauces and cheese.
- Four Piece Nuggets – The nuggets are the most underrated healthy things at BK. They have 190 calories, 11g of fat, 21g of carbs, and 8g of protein. In addition, the choices at BK are slim compared to the variety at McDonald’s.
Eating healthy on the go may necessitate knowing which foods are available at which stores. Once you know the nutritional information and varieties, you can make a healthier choice. Remember that some stores cannot offer the above selections, so having a backup plan is a good idea.
McDonald’s is Healthier than Burger King
If the two companies go head-to-head, McDonald’s wins on selection alone. BK has taken a step back to providing comfort food that pleases its audience and leans into its superior taste. McDonald’s offers more healthy options throughout the day that are health-conscious so that people on the go can eat without feeling guilty or breaking their diet.
Conclusion
Eating healthy at fast-food restaurants is challenging but possible. You must remember that scanning the menu for calories, fats, carbs, and protein is essential to making healthy choices. Once you know how these macronutrients impact your diet, you can begin to pick things that are better for you.
Burger King made the Impossible Whopper to offer more vegan and vegetarian options and compete with McDonald’s, which is offering more and more healthy food options. In the end, McDonald’s does better at offering healthy items at all times of the day.
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