McDonalds Meal Comparison

Week 3 Assignment

Nutrition, Health and Wellness

The first meal I selected was from McDonalds. They have been under pressure many times about health of their food and lack of alternitives. But now there really is no excuse. There are a few options on their menu to meet with almost any diet. The healthy mean I decided on proves that fact quite clearly.

The meal I made from McDonalds consists of only 360 calories, most of which came from the Honey Mustard Snack Wrap. By taking off the sauce and shredded cheese this accounts for only 190 calories and a healthy amount of 14 grams of protein. It also provides 23 grams of carbohydrates to help with energy. Pairing that with water that provides no nutritional value but the hydration is a perfect match. The salad on top of that is very high in vitamins A and C to compensate for the lack of vitamins in the main course. The desert I decided to go with was the Fruit and Yogurt Parfait. Overall not a very good addition for nutrience besides the small amount of carbohydrates, but it is a very nice treat with only 150 calories of guilt to go with it.

Overall by selecting all of the items on the list is can be filling with a well balanced diet throughout the day. The total calories are low enough to the point that it can fit into 5 small meals a day without a problem at all. It can provide enough nutrients to make it through the rest of the day at work having this for a quick and easy lunch on the go by providing almost 1/5 of the required carbohydrates.

The only parts that this meal is lacking in, is calcium and iron. Those can easily be supplemented with other meals before and after during the day. Without the proper amount of calcium there is a high chance of having bone issues later in life like osteoperosis. The lack of iron can slow production in red blood cells. Iron defeciency is very common and can be supplemented with iron pills sold in any grocery store.

Moving on to the unhealthy meal I selected also from McDonalds totaled up to 1,500 calories. Some of this meal would be my normal and after finding the nutritional information, my diet could very well be changing. Of course my favorate meal consists of the Big Mac and french fries. Those 2 items alone accounted for half of the calories in the meal with similar or lower number with some of the key nutrients. The drink addition that I used to have on a weekly basis just made the situation from bad to worse. Replacing a drink with a chocolate shake and having a few raisin cookies to top it off completes the meal that has many elements that so many people (like myself) absolutely love.

At a first glance some of the nutrients seem to fit in the diet plan very well. But it really is just a play on numbers because this entire