McDonald's

I’m not sure what posts you’re referring to that suggest McDonalds, or any other fast food, should be a four letter word. What does that mean that a person should never eat these foods? Why not? If you can fit it in your calories there is nothing inherently wrong with McDs.

Calorie counts at fast food and other chain places are usually fairly reliable because everything comes frozen and premeasures for size.

I eat at McDonalds sometimes with the kids on a busy Saturday - a McDouble and Diet Coke and then we all share an order of fries, that’s usually under 600 calories.

There's nothing wrong with having McDonald's every once and awhile, and their nutrition calculator is as good as anyone else's.

I typically get an egg mcmuffin and a coffee. And their sandwiches aren't too bad calorie wise either, I'm usually ok as long as I don't get fries. I was aiming for 1500 cals when I was losing weight, and as long as I went lighter on my other two meals I could usually fit a fast food meal in once or twice a week.

I think you are misreading this site on that. What we generally preach here is that anything is okay in your diet in moderation within your goals. If McDonald's can be that for you, then it's welcome to be part of your diet.

I've lost 40 pounds having McDonald's somewhat frequently. I do have a higher calorie goal than many others, so I can get fries and big burgers. But as you mentioned, there are more calorie friendly items for those with lower goals.

I don't know where you read that. This forum is much more accepting of fast food than any other I've seen. As for the calories and nutrition, I would double check on McDonald's official website, it should be more or less accurate there. Some entries can be wrong here because they're user-generated and not verified. 200 calories is not much, so you even have wiggle room for fries if you weren't watching your carbs (which apparently you are). If it really is only 200 calories (I somehow doubt it), you could double the order plus a diet drink so you aren't hungry. You're less likely to give in and order supersized fries when you're full.

Count me as another person who is wondering where you are seeing posts that say "McDonald's should be a 4 letter word." That is certainly not the majority opinion here in Food & Nutrition or in General.

I haven't had a salad from McDonald's in years, but because I work from home and just make my own salads. When I worked in an office I used to get them fairly often.

I did have a salad from Wendy's while on the road one weekend recently which was probably more or less equivalent. It came with two dressings, but I just needed one. I don't like large meals, and had half for lunch and half for an afternoon snack.

I would trust nutrition info from a place like McDonald's, where portions are tightly regulated, more than a place like Chipotle, where that seems to be less of an issue. (Yumminess wise, I prefer Chipotle.)

It's possible when OP says "posts" they mean MFP blog posts. All the typical FB level dietary cliches etc.

I hate McDonald’s too! I started to say “go to Wendy’s.” But then I remembered the playgrounds in McDonald’s, and kids saying “I want McDonald’s” and not “I want Wendy’s”. Enjoy McDonald’s with the kids before they get old enough they don’t want you to go anywhere with them!