Claire Thompson
McDonald's Chicken Big Mac, featuring two tempura-battered chicken patties, cheese, lettuce, pickles, and the brand's special sauce, has been touted as a healthier alternative to the original beef Big Mac. However, the nutritional differences between the two options may surprise you. The Chicken Big Mac contains 59 grams of total carbohydrates, 55.3 grams of net carbs, and 549 calories. In comparison, the original Big Mac has 46 grams of carbohydrates and 590 calories. While the chicken variation offers slightly less unhealthy saturated fat and a lower risk of colorectal cancer due to the absence of red meat, it contains more refined carbs and sodium.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total carbs | 59g |
| Net carbs | 55.3g |
| Fat | 23g |
| Protein | 25g |
| Calories | 549 |
| Saturated fat | Less than the original Big Mac |
| Carbohydrates | More than the original Big Mac |
| Calories | More than the original Big Mac |
| Sodium | More than the original Big Mac |
| Fibre | 2-3g |
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$11.55 $12.16
What You'll Learn
The Chicken Big Mac has more carbs than the original
McDonald's Chicken Big Mac is a new take on the original Big Mac, featuring two tempura-battered chicken patties instead of the classic all-beef patties. While the two sandwiches are quite similar in terms of ingredients and nutritional content, there is one key difference: the Chicken Big Mac has more carbohydrates.
The Chicken Big Mac contains 59 grams of total carbohydrates, compared to the original's 46 grams. This difference can be attributed to the way the chicken patties are made. The tempura batter includes white flour, corn flour, corn starch, and wheat starch, which all contribute to the overall carb count.
In addition to the higher carb content, the Chicken Big Mac also has more calories (700 vs. 590) and sodium (1410 mg vs. 1050 mg). However, it has slightly less saturated fat (8g vs. 11g) due to the lower fat content in chicken meat.
While the Chicken Big Mac may have more carbs and other nutritional drawbacks, it does have some advantages over the original. For one, it is made with chicken instead of beef, which is a leaner protein source and has a lower risk of colorectal cancer associated with red meat consumption. Additionally, chicken production is generally less damaging to the planet than beef production, which has a significant environmental impact.
Despite these considerations, it's important to remember that neither the original Big Mac nor the Chicken Big Mac can be considered healthy choices. Both sandwiches are highly processed and contain excessive amounts of fat, sodium, and refined carbs. As such, they should be enjoyed in moderation as occasional treats rather than regular meals.
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It has 59g total carbs
McDonald's Chicken Big Mac contains 59g of total carbohydrates. This is in addition to 23g of fat, 25g of protein, and 549 calories.
The sandwich features two tempura-battered chicken patties, cheese, McDonald’s special Big Mac sauce, lettuce, and pickles on a sesame seed bun. The chicken patties are crispy fried rounds of chicken that have been seasoned and battered with white flour, corn flour, corn starch, wheat starch, and salt.
The Chicken Big Mac has more carbohydrates than the original beef Big Mac, which has 46g of carbohydrates. The extra carbohydrates in the Chicken Big Mac are likely due to the way the chicken patties have been made. The beef Big Mac is made with fewer ingredients and has a lower carbohydrate content.
While the Chicken Big Mac may have more carbohydrates, it has slightly less unhealthy saturated fat (8g vs 11g) and avoiding red meat means a lower risk of colorectal cancer. However, it's important to note that neither the original Big Mac nor the Chicken Big Mac are healthy choices. Both are ultra-processed fast food that should be consumed in moderation.
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The sandwich features two tempura-battered chicken patties
McDonald's Chicken Big Mac is a sandwich featuring two tempura-battered chicken patties. It also includes cheese, McDonald’s special Big Mac sauce, lettuce, and pickles on a sesame seed bun. The chicken patties are made with a seasoned, tempura-battered coating, which is then fried. This coating contributes to the higher carbohydrate content of the Chicken Big Mac compared to the original beef version. The sandwich contains 59 grams of total carbohydrates, 55.3 grams of net carbs, 23 grams of fat, 25 grams of protein, and 549 calories.
The Chicken Big Mac is considered less healthy than the original due to the processing and frying involved in preparing the chicken. However, the choice of chicken over beef may have some environmental benefits, as beef production is known to have a higher environmental impact and contribute more to greenhouse gas emissions.
While the Chicken Big Mac is not a healthy option, there are some ways to make it slightly healthier. Nutritionists suggest asking for extra lettuce, which adds crunch and fibre without many extra calories. Customers can also request less or no sauce, as the special sauce contributes calories and fat. Choosing a side salad instead of fries is another way to reduce calories and increase vegetable intake.
Overall, the McDonald's Chicken Big Mac, with its two tempura-battered chicken patties, has a higher carbohydrate content than the original beef version due to the preparation and coating of the chicken. While it is not a healthy choice, there are some modifications customers can make to their orders to improve the nutritional profile of this sandwich.
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It has more carbs due to the way chicken patties are made
A McDonald's Chicken Big Mac contains 59g of total carbohydrates, which is significantly higher than the original beef Big Mac, which contains 46g of carbohydrates. This difference can be attributed to the way chicken patties are made.
Chicken is often considered a healthier alternative to beef, but in the case of the McDonald's Chicken Big Mac, the processing and frying of the chicken reduce its nutritional value. The chicken patty in the Chicken Big Mac is made with only 44% chicken breast meat, while the rest is comprised of flour, starch, breadcrumbs, flavourings, raising agents, and sugars, including glucose syrup and dextrose. This combination of ingredients contributes to the higher carbohydrate content in the Chicken Big Mac compared to the beef version.
The original beef Big Mac contains just one ingredient in its patties: 100% pure beef. This simplicity of ingredients gives the original Big Mac a slight nutritional edge over its chicken counterpart, as it contains fewer ingredients and has a lower carbohydrate content.
The higher carbohydrate content in the Chicken Big Mac is not the only nutritional concern. The chicken patty's seasoned "tempura battered" coating also contributes to its higher calorie and sodium content. The Chicken Big Mac contains 700 calories compared to 590 in the original, and its sodium content of 1,410 milligrams is significantly higher than the original's 1,050 milligrams.
While the Chicken Big Mac may have slightly higher nutritional values, it is important to note that neither option can be considered healthy. Both burgers are high in calories, carbohydrates, and sodium, and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
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It's less damaging to the planet than the original
A McDonald's Chicken Big Mac contains 59 grams of total carbohydrates, 55.3 grams of net carbs, 23 grams of fat, 25 grams of protein, and 549 calories.
The introduction of the Chicken Big Mac to McDonald's menus in the US has been a strategy to recover from the E. coli outbreak attributed to contaminated onions used in Quarter Pounders. The new offering has seen an increase in sales and customer visits, indicating a strong demand for chicken sandwiches. This shift in preference towards chicken over beef could be less damaging to the planet for several reasons. Firstly, chicken is a "massive category worldwide that's twice the size of beef and growing much faster," as stated by CEO Chris Kempczinski. This suggests that chicken production may be more sustainable and have a lower environmental impact than beef production.
Additionally, McDonald's has expressed its commitment to protecting the planet for future generations. The company has strategies in place to reduce unnecessary packaging, identify alternative materials, and increase opportunities for recovery and recycling. They also aim to work with suppliers and farmers to preserve natural ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and safeguard water. These initiatives could help reduce the environmental impact of their products, including the Chicken Big Mac.
Furthermore, consumers are increasingly choosing to spend their money with brands that match their values, including environmental and social governance goals. By showcasing its commitment to sustainability and environmental protection, McDonald's can attract and retain customers who prioritize these values. The company's efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its packaging and supply chain could, therefore, be a significant factor in the reduced ecological damage associated with the Chicken Big Mac compared to the original beef option.
Overall, the Chicken Big Mac's popularity and McDonald's environmental initiatives suggest that the new sandwich may be less damaging to the planet than the original beef option. The shift in consumer preferences towards chicken and the company's efforts to protect the planet could have a positive impact on sustainability and ecological preservation.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 59g of total carbs in a McDonald's Chicken Big Mac.
Yes, the Chicken Big Mac has 19g of extra carbohydrates compared to the original. This is likely due to the way the chicken patties are made.
The Chicken Big Mac contains 55.3g net carbs, 23g of fat, 25g of protein, and 549 calories.
No, the Chicken Big Mac is not a healthy option. However, it is slightly healthier for your heart than the original Big Mac as chicken has less saturated fat than beef. To make it slightly healthier, you can ask for extra lettuce and no sauce.
