Photo byJurij KendaonUnsplash

McDonald’s is notoriously unhealthy.

It’s also delicious.

One way to enjoy McDonald’s without ruining your diet is to keep it low-calorie.

But how low-calorie can fast food possibly be?

500 calorie low?

Let’s find out.

The Challenge

The rules for the challenge are simple:

1. You must order a full meal (burger, side, and a drink)
2. The total meal must be 500 calories or less.

The Options

McDonald’s website has the calorie content of all their food. Using that I was able to come up with the following options.

Burgers

Photo byJumping cheese at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/

My two favorite burgers (Big Mac and the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese) are both out of the question. They have 590 and 740 calories respectively.

The three following burgers are all under 500 calories:

• McChicken (390)
• McDouble (390)
• Filet-O-Fish (380)

Sides

I eliminated fries as an option because a small order has 230 calories which is a little high for this challenge. I also eliminated apple slices, even though they only contain 15 calories, because I don’t like them.

That left just one good option:

• 4 pc Chicken McNuggets (170)

Dinks

A burger and a side don’t leave many calories left for drinks.

Thankfully, McDonald’s has plenty of low-calorie drink options.

• McCafe Premium Roast Coffee (5)
• Americano (0)
• Diet Coke (0)
• Small Hot Tea (10)

My Picks

Photo byEvan-Amos, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Any 3-item meal is slightly over 500 calories.

But, one simple adjustment can get you under 500 calories.

McDonald’s buns have 140 calories, if you get rid of one of the two pieces that gets you under 500.

Examples 1:

• McDouble with one bun (320)
• 4 pc Chicken McNuggets (170)
• Diet Coke (0)
• Total Calories (490)

Example 2:

• Filet-O-Fish with one bun (310)
• 4 pc Chicken McNuggets (170)
• Small Hot Tea (10)
• Total Calories (490)

There you have it. It’s not easy, but it is possible to have a McDonald’s meal with less than 500 calories.

McDonald’s in Henderson

Henderson residents never have to look far for McDonald’s close by. There are an amazing five McDonald’s locations in Henderson.

• 310 N Boulder Hwy Henderson, NV 89015
• 701 E Horizon Henderson, NV 89015
• 220 W Sunset Henderson, NV 89105
• 601 N Stephanie Henderson, NV 89014
• 65 South Valle Verde Drive Henderson, NV 89012