Mcdonalds salads....are these thing healthy?

2

Replies

  • miriamtorason
    miriamtorason Posts: 208 Member
    actually i read somewhere, can't remember where....that there is more fat in a mcdonalds salad than a big mac, because of the salad dressings

    True. The "Mighty Caesar" salad dressing has 29g of fat, same as a Big Mac. The Caesar salad itself has an additional 17g of fat. However, the light caesar dressing has 14g of fat... which, combined with the salad's 17g, gives you a total of 31g, more than in the Big Mac. If you don't use all the dressing, though, or find the salad to be two meals worth, it might be worth it. There are also more calories in the Caesar salad (plus dressing) than there are in the Big Mac (based on the "regular" dressing)... but with a salad, you're less likely to order the Bucket O' Coke and Potato Farm O' Fries, so while it's not a guilt free option, it is certainly a better choice.
  • mirandamatte
    mirandamatte Posts: 130 Member
    actually i read somewhere, can't remember where....that there is more fat in a mcdonalds salad than a big mac, because of the salad dressings

    not if you do your research ahead of time and figure out how much fat is in them. They do have some low fat options that are not that bad....just do your research, go the website and look at all the nutritional info...its there.
  • Famzav8
    Famzav8 Posts: 97 Member
    When I know that we are going to have to go to McDonald's, or somewhere similar, I always jump on to their website to see what I can order that won't ruin my diet. It really helps, seeing what is in the stuff before it is in front of you. McDonald's southwest salad is my "go to" option if we have to go to McD's. I have it with grilled chicken and i don't even use the dressing because they include a lime wedge that I squeeze onto it. The salad itself has alot of flavor. I think most salads at fast food places are pretty bad for you, but the important thing to remember is that you don't have to eat it as it is served, there are ways around it that make it quite a bit healthier. Welcome to MFP - you'll love it! :)
  • miriamtorason
    miriamtorason Posts: 208 Member
    True again! If you're clever enough to check these things out in advance, plan your day around what you will and won't have, and do the legwork before you order, you can walk out of McDonald's with a reasonable meal that will see you staying full until you're ready to eat again.
  • BEERRUNNER
    BEERRUNNER Posts: 3,046 Member
    actually i read somewhere, can't remember where....that there is more fat in a mcdonalds salad than a big mac, because of the salad dressings

    True. The "Mighty Caesar" salad dressing has 29g of fat, same as a Big Mac. The Caesar salad itself has an additional 17g of fat. However, the light caesar dressing has 14g of fat... which, combined with the salad's 17g, gives you a total of 31g, more than in the Big Mac. If you don't use all the dressing, though, or find the salad to be two meals worth, it might be worth it. There are also more calories in the Caesar salad (plus dressing) than there are in the Big Mac (based on the "regular" dressing)... but with a salad, you're less likely to order the Bucket O' Coke and Potato Farm O' Fries, so while it's not a guilt free option, it is certainly a better choice.


    ehhhhhh!!!!! skarrryyyy! BUT


    I looked at the package (dressing) and it says 190 calories and 18G of fat.............so your #'s might be off a little.
  • beckajw
    beckajw Posts: 1,728 Member
    McDonalds salads can be "healthy" as long as you don't mind sodium. If you get the grilled chicken, you are getting grilled chicken breast and veggies--very healthy. Unfortunately sodium is added to make it taste good. You can get the light salad dressing and have a meal with very few calories with protein and fiber. Again, just need to know that you're going to be getting extra sodium.
  • rmsrws
    rmsrws Posts: 639 Member
    Your better off if you can prepare your own food. It cost less, and you can control how it is prepared. But since it was Mcdonalds, you made a wise choice v.s. A Big Mac Meal with fries, etc.
  • avgjoe2u
    avgjoe2u Posts: 15 Member
    I know some have said that getting a salad from McDonald's is like getting a hug from a hooker. The truth is this its always better to eat food that has not been processed and is filled with all that mother nature intended. But if your in a spot and watching your calories as long as your not drowning them with high calorie dressings and croutons I think they are fine. Don't eat them everyday. Stay with the grilled chicken and light dressing and you can have a lunch that under 300 calories. I love this site cause knowing what your putting in your body is half the battle.
  • ksy1969
    ksy1969 Posts: 700 Member
    When I know that we are going to have to go to McDonald's, or somewhere similar, I always jump on to their website to see what I can order that won't ruin my diet. It really helps, seeing what is in the stuff before it is in front of you. McDonald's southwest salad is my "go to" option if we have to go to McD's. I have it with grilled chicken and i don't even use the dressing because they include a lime wedge that I squeeze onto it. The salad itself has alot of flavor. I think most salads at fast food places are pretty bad for you, but the important thing to remember is that you don't have to eat it as it is served, there are ways around it that make it quite a bit healthier. Welcome to MFP - you'll love it! :)

    ^^^^ THIS ^^^^ I love the Southwest Salad w/ the Grilled Chicken and just like you I do not use any of the dressing. There is no need for it. If I remember correctly I think it is less than 300 Calories this way.
  • kenyonl85
    kenyonl85 Posts: 217 Member
    I get the Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad pretty often, and use all of the dressing packet and eat the tortilla strips. Only 390 calories, and 14 grams of fat total.
  • AnnaJulie
    AnnaJulie Posts: 1
    I get a McDonalds salad when my family goes. No meat (i'm vegetarian), and no salad dressing- it works out to about 40 calories. It may be different outside of New Zealand of course, but it is incredibly healthy (fresh tomato, lettuce & cucumber). :)
  • zensugi
    zensugi Posts: 76
    The expectation is that McDonald's food is highly standardized, but as the previous poster pointed out you can get a fairly healthy salad in New Zealand. http://mcdonalds.co.nz/sites/mcdonalds.co.nz/files/images/Nutrition-information-NZ-2-Sept-2013.pdf

    The Grilled Chicken Salad is 122 calories and the dressings vary between 12 & 89 calories; so it'd be under 215 calories tops. Sodium is 270 mg for the salad and between 71 and 279 mg for the dressings. Low fat too.

    I have memorized a list of items I feel OK with ordering there, in case I end up with family or friends there. I've always found something suitable, so from my point of view it's one of the fast food joints that gives me healthy options.
  • stackhead
    stackhead Posts: 121 Member
    It clearly depends on what country you're in.. in the UK the salad is literally lettuce, cherry tomatoes (and maybe a third veg...) with either grilled chicken or breaded & fried chicken with/without bacon. The dressing comes in a little sachet so either ceaser or balsamic vinegar. The salad is prepared and served within 2 hours, if it's not used it's thrown away, there are some nice stickers on the box that tell you when it was made. No croutons and optional dressing.

    The downsides: The salad is always WAY too cold (y'know because that's how they keep it fresh) and it's really dull. But for a low cal option it's alreete. I prefer subway salads.

    P.s. McDonalds is just food. If i'm going to eat ham out of a packet I see no difference in eating from MaccyD's. I do wish their bread wasn't so sweet though...
  • Anita_hoar12345
    Anita_hoar12345 Posts: 82
    I ate one once and the cheese tasted like feet and I puked after eating it
  • thebigcb
    thebigcb Posts: 2,210 Member
    you can find the info on the mc d nutrition. It depends on the chicken grilled vs fried and the dressing. I think it is an okay choice especially for fast food.

    You would be better off having a BIG MAC Meal

    The thrick ot knowing if something is healthy or not is

    If It starts with McDonalds, Sub, Burger, Ken,Piz it is rubbish
  • zensugi
    zensugi Posts: 76
    If It starts with McDonalds, Sub, Burger, Ken,Piz it is rubbish

    Actually at least in McDonalds ad Subway you can find low calories, decent and cheap meals (in New Zealand). The information is out there to be used, so rather than going for a blanket (and wrong) statement people should take the time to read.
  • JuantonBliss
    JuantonBliss Posts: 245 Member
    I just don't eat fast food anymore, period. Not their salads, not their anythings. Especially because I know how it's all prepared, no thanks.
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    garbage, make your own.
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    The Southwest salad is tasty and, since I'm not afraid of fat, totally up my alley.

    So. Score?
  • marypatmccue
    marypatmccue Posts: 521 Member
    JONNY.... where are you?! They're making bad comments about McDonalds.... Tell them about your McDouble Down!!!
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    What the hell is going on in this thread?

    McDonald's is awesome:

    20130926_123628-1_20130926131325730.jpg
  • IronCakes
    IronCakes Posts: 317 Member
    tumblr_mke00p6Zke1qa9siqo1_500.gif
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    Srsly though. McDonald's salads are perfectly healthy. The only ingredients are regular ol vegetables. And the salad dressings are Newman's Own.
  • kenyonl85
    kenyonl85 Posts: 217 Member
    Srsly though. McDonald's salads are perfectly healthy. The only ingredients are regular ol vegetables. And the salad dressings are Newman's Own.

    ^ THIS!!!
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    Srsly though. McDonald's salads are perfectly healthy. The only ingredients are regular ol vegetables. And the salad dressings are Newman's Own.

    Those vege's were healthful. Then they put them in a McDonald's container, and they immediately became unhealthful. That's how it works.
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    My only question is on the quality. I cant tell you the number of times I get a mushy tomato or wilted lettuce. :explode:
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    My only question is on the quality. I cant tell you the number of times I get a mushy tomato or wilted lettuce. :explode:

    That happens when I buy stuff at the grocery store though?
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    My only question is on the quality. I cant tell you the number of times I get a mushy tomato or wilted lettuce. :explode:

    That's actually interesting. I've had dozens of McD's salads, and never had a bad tomato or wilted lettuce.
  • RivenV
    RivenV Posts: 1,667 Member
    Srsly though. McDonald's salads are perfectly healthy. The only ingredients are regular ol vegetables. And the salad dressings are Newman's Own.

    42e
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    Srsly though. McDonald's salads are perfectly healthy. The only ingredients are regular ol vegetables. And the salad dressings are Newman's Own.

    42e

    You have the world's best collection of gifs.
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