Is McDonald's ever ok?

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Replies

  • MikeSEA
    MikeSEA Posts: 1,074 Member
    In years leading up to my eventually putting on an extra 80lbs I'd guess that McDonald's, which I'm much more than passingly familiar with, has made up a relatively small percentage of my total food intake. That's even considering that i ate more of it than I probably should given my calorie needs.

    This tells me that having a Big Mac now and then is not going to make me drop dead--because it hasn't yet. It also tells me that I ate a whole lot of things that led to me being fat. In short, McDonalds is not the villain.

    As I can only speak for myself, yes there are times when McDonald's is ok.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,992 Member
    I understand that it can fit in, calorically speaking, to a healthy diet. But I just honestly don't know how anyone who KNOWS what's in that junk can eat it. One McDonald's hamburger is comprised of little bits of up to HUNDREDS of cows. There's no way you can spin that to make it sanitary or acceptable.. and that's just one example. I understand the convenience of fast food is usually a big factor.. but it's just as easy to hit your supermarket salad bar.
    You have proof of this? Please show a peer reviewed study that the beef they use is "bits of cow parts" rather than ground beef that's frozen.
    And your statement is judgmental. You are implying the people who KNOW what's in it and eat it are ignorant for doing it.
  • ka_bateman
    ka_bateman Posts: 230 Member
    I have 2 toddlers and Husband who love and adore nuggets 2x a month they get to have it...I either have a grilled chicken club or a southwest grilled chicken salad and a small fry with both...I just make sure I drink a bunch of water to go along with it.


    ETA: I am working on my Masters Degree as well and sometimes I forget to pack a dinner So I will swing through and just get the salad...I really like that salad and it is only 300 and some calories...

    I don't want this to come out condescending, but I would never give my toddler any deep fried, processed meat. I'm lucky that he eats fruits and veggies like candy, but I know that it's not always the case with kids....but still...McDs is one of the reasons we're on this site.
  • Gigi_licious
    Gigi_licious Posts: 1,185 Member
    According to MFP yesterday, I had enough calories, fat, protien, and carbs left at the end of the day to fit in a cheeseburger from McDonald's. I know that place is inherently evil and the arch nemesis of every diet out there but is it ever ok? I mean, I know a cheat day every once in a while is fine but on a nornal day, it fit in with everything and didn't go over. I know it might have been better to have a salad but i wasnlt hungry enough for 500 calories of salad.
    On a normal day, if it doesn't go over one calories, carbs, fat, or anything else, is McDonald's ok?

    I really hope you're a troll.....otherwise, its going to be a very stressful "journey" for you.
  • techymum
    techymum Posts: 168
    This is just my opinion:

    Is it fast food that got you where you are? Fast food was a huge contributing factor of my obesity. My car would be strewn with empty brown bags. So for me, there is no MacDonalds or any other fast food. It has been easier than I ever imagined. When it comes to sweets, if it is offered I completely enjoy it in moderation, as that was not the thing that got me in trouble.

    So if fast food wasn't a problem for you (ie eating there 2x a day sometimes), then I wouldn't worry about it. Otherwise, stay away. Lots of options - run to the grocery store and pick something up :-)
  • HMonsterX
    HMonsterX Posts: 3,000 Member
    McDs is one of the reasons we're on this site.

    Personally I'M the reason I'm on this site. *I* made bad choices. It's MY fault. No one elses.
  • Thankilates
    Thankilates Posts: 432 Member
    Soooo, I'm going to be that person who answers like this:

    No and Yes.

    Sure, I guess if you want a treat or have NO other options, than go for it! I have it about 3 times a year.

    The last time I was there (on a road trip with friends) I had three bags of apples with no caramel and a small coffee no whip.

    Now, calories/nutrients etc , sure you can do it if you have them to spare.

    but the further you get into your health you will realize that what TYPE of calories you put in your body makes a huge difference.

    For example, the thought of putting processed crap into my body makes me cringe and of course makes me sick. But that is because I don't eat it!

    From the animal cruelty, the way the run their business, the way the market to kids to get them hooked on chemicals and now of course that sugary high fat "coffee" elixr they sell? Well, YUCK! LOL Did you know their french fries have as much or more saturated fat in them than burgers because of the beef lard they fry them in?!?!?

    I mean I dunno. When I was young and uneducated I ate it. Not all the time, but every now and then. Today though, with all of the information out there, all of the docs, all of the books, all of the related diseases to many processed foods, meats, chains etc, I just can't see why anyone would even want to support this?

    I say if you want a burger, go to the store, spend the extra 6 dollars and get fancy whole wheat buns, fresh fixings, some lean ground beef and make your own frys. Even if you go over by 500 calories, you are eating WHOLE foods and it's not contributing to... Well McDonalds.! LOL

    Also, what you eat is what you will crave! Losing weight and being healthy is more than just "eating back calories." It's about how you feel about every choice you make. If you can be at peace with your choices and I mean TRULY at peace, than go for it!

    Everybody and EVERY body are different! :D
  • Chickens killed for McDonald's are slaughtered using an outdated method that results in extreme suffering. As one of the biggest sellers of chicken meat, McDonald's has the responsibility—and the ability—to reduce this abuse by demanding that its U.S. and Canadian suppliers use a less cruel slaughter method.
    :explode:
    McDonald's doesn't raise them nor butchers them. You fight is against the suppliers. Don't strawman McDonald's because you're an animal lover.
    They (McDonalds) chooses which supplier to use so ya my fight is against them both.
  • queenfresh
    queenfresh Posts: 32 Member
    Just watch SuperSize Me and Food, Inc. and see if you still crave McDonald's.
  • ivyjbres
    ivyjbres Posts: 612 Member
    ...only if you're drinking their coffee (which is awesome by the way)

    This may be the saddest thing I've heard all week.
  • MikeSEA
    MikeSEA Posts: 1,074 Member
    Just watch SuperSize Me and Food, Inc. and see if you still crave McDonald's.

    Did and still crave a Big Mac sometimes. I get one too. Since I'm not having it for anything close to every meal, it isn't a problem...
  • ka_bateman
    ka_bateman Posts: 230 Member
    McDs is one of the reasons we're on this site.

    Personally I'M the reason I'm on this site. *I* made bad choices. It's MY fault. No one elses.
    haha, you're one of those "it's not a diet it's a lifestyle change" kind of people aren't ya? Climb down off your high horse.
  • HonkyTonks
    HonkyTonks Posts: 1,193 Member
    Sure, it's fine but if you want to spend those calories on something wouldn't you prefer spending them on something that tastes really good?
  • HMonsterX
    HMonsterX Posts: 3,000 Member
    McDs is one of the reasons we're on this site.

    Personally I'M the reason I'm on this site. *I* made bad choices. It's MY fault. No one elses.
    haha, you're one of those "it's not a diet it's a lifestyle change" kind of people aren't ya? Climb down off your high horse.

    Yes, i am, and i think many many people here are. I just hate the fact that people are always so fast to blame McDonalds, and fast food in general, for their weight. Grow a spine and accept responsibility.
  • PB67
    PB67 Posts: 376
    Just watch SuperSize Me and Food, Inc. and see if you still crave McDonald's.

    Actually ate a McD double cheeseburger while watching Supersize Me.

    It

    was

    AWESOME
  • HMonsterX
    HMonsterX Posts: 3,000 Member
    Just watch SuperSize Me and Food, Inc. and see if you still crave McDonald's.

    Actually ate a McD double cheeseburger while watching Supersize Me.

    It

    was

    AWESOME

    :laugh:

    All Supersize Me "proved" was that eating something like that 3 times a day, and eating far bigger portions every time, is bad for you.

    No **** Sherlock. We really needed to be told that?
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member


    Actually ate a McD double cheeseburger while watching Supersize Me.

    It

    was

    AWESOME

    <---- looking around for "rep" button.
  • kateroot
    kateroot Posts: 435
    I understand that it can fit in, calorically speaking, to a healthy diet. But I just honestly don't know how anyone who KNOWS what's in that junk can eat it. One McDonald's hamburger is comprised of little bits of up to HUNDREDS of cows. There's no way you can spin that to make it sanitary or acceptable.. and that's just one example. I understand the convenience of fast food is usually a big factor.. but it's just as easy to hit your supermarket salad bar.
    You have proof of this? Please show a peer reviewed study that the beef they use is "bits of cow parts" rather than ground beef that's frozen.
    And your statement is judgmental. You are implying the people who KNOW what's in it and eat it are ignorant for doing it.

    Umm.. people who know what's in it and eat it ARE ignorant for doing it. Knowingly putting poison in your body is pretty ignorant if you ask me. McD's hamburgers are "ground beef," but in the interest of mass production and keeping costs low, the cows are slaughtered and the meat is all processed and ground in bulk.. Meaning that your McDonald's hamburger can easily contain meat from up to hundreds of cows. Those frozen burger patties you can buy in the grocery store are made with the same process. The process is so unsanitary that the processing plants use ammonia to "clean" the meat before it's ground. If that doesn't make you avoid fast food joints like the plague, I don't think anything will.
  • Scorpioangel
    Scorpioangel Posts: 951 Member
    I have eaten McDonalds several times during my journey and it was perfectly fine! Like others wrote it's fine in moderation and if you have the room I say go for it! I've done it and never had any bad issue with it :)
  • tross0924
    tross0924 Posts: 909 Member
    Never!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Burger King, and Taco Bell are fine though.

    Oh and Jack in the Box. I love me some Ultimate Breakfast Jack.

    But McDonalds? Bleh!
  • If you are asking if going occasionally is going to kill your diet efforts--no, it's not.

    The occasional treat or splurge is not only okay, but I would encourage it. We should never feel anything is off limits for the rest of our lives, or even until we reach goals.

    I personally think the food quality of McD's is pretty bad. That is why I never order actual food items there. But do I think you can still lose weight and squeeze in an occasional McD's meal? Sure.

    Sometimes after a wicked workout (one earning me 1000-1300 calories), I will stop at McD's and get a Mango-pineapple smoothie or berry-smoothie. A medium is in the 300 cal range and at least has some fruit and yogurt.
  • AZackery
    AZackery Posts: 2,035 Member
    McDonald and any restaurant is okay. Food doesn't make a person fat, people make themselves fat. I know a lot of people will dispute this and say I don't know what I'm talking about.

    A person is in control of how much they will eat, regardless if they are at home eating or at a restaurant eating.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,992 Member
    Just watch SuperSize Me and Food, Inc. and see if you still crave McDonald's.

    Actually ate a McD double cheeseburger while watching Supersize Me.

    It

    was

    AWESOME
    I had a Double Quarter pounder with cheese and washed it down with a diet coke! And it was just as AWESOME!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,992 Member
    :laugh:

    All Supersize Me "proved" was that eating something like that 3 times a day, and eating far bigger portions every time, is bad for you.

    No **** Sherlock. We really needed to be told that?
    People make money on trying to reenforce excuses for others downfalls. I wish I would have thought of this so I could have went on a McDonald's eating spree.
  • torie079
    torie079 Posts: 179 Member
    :laugh:

    All Supersize Me "proved" was that eating something like that 3 times a day, and eating far bigger portions every time, is bad for you.

    No **** Sherlock. We really needed to be told that?
    People make money on trying to reenforce excuses for others downfalls. I wish I would have thought of this so I could have went on a McDonald's eating spree.


    ^^^^^^ fo shizzle... I completely agree with you both! Both sides have an agenda and I hate when people pretend that "supersize me" didn't have any ulterior motives behind it. They made a **** load of money off that doc... They guy ate Supersize Meals WITH DESSERT and SODA the entire time. It's called self control... Then they demonized the clown and bright colors that they do with the playgrounds and toys as an evil plot to make our children fat...So over the top and just ridiculous in some aspects. I'm not advocating mcdonalds...I worked there for years and literally watched people grow and it was very sad to me.... But people need to accept responsibility for their actions...or it won't matter what you're eating or where... You will not succeed until YOU take control.
  • AwesomelyAmber
    AwesomelyAmber Posts: 1,617 Member
    McDonald and any restaurant is okay. Food doesn't make a person fat, people make themselves fat. I know a lot of people will dispute this and say I don't know what I'm talking about.

    A person is in control of how much they will eat, regardless if they are at home eating or at a restaurant eating.



    I'm not gonna say you are wrong!!! I'm gonna say I LOVE THIS WAY OF THINKING!!!!
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