Top High-Protein McDonald’s Meals a Sports Nutrition Coach Would Order

Whether you’re on a street journey, hurrying dwelling after your child’s soccer observe, or just not within the temper to prepare dinner, hitting the drive-thru is a handy resolution. While quick food isn’t usually recognized for its dietary worth, it’s typically the one possibility when life will get busy. And whereas everyone knows it shouldn’t be a common a part of our diets, when you end up on the drive-thru window, grabbing top-of-the-line high-protein meals on the menu can no less than mean you can hit your macros. 

In this text, we’ll break down your entire McDonald’s menu to spotlight the meals which can be highest in protein. With these tips, you’ll be capable to navigate the golden arches with confidence and keep on monitor along with your health and fitness targets. That manner, if you’re in a pinch, your nutrition by no means has to take a backseat.

Related: Best Healthy Bagels You Can Buy If You’re Choosy About Carbs

8 Best High-Protein Meals at McDonald’s

1. Egg McMuffin

The basic Egg McMuffin is a breakfast favourite, that includes a freshly cracked egg, a slice of Canadian bacon, and melty American cheese atop a toasted English muffin. With 310 energy and 17 grams of protein per serving, it’s a mild but protein-packed breakfast choice to gasoline your morning.

Nutrition Facts, Per Serving

• Calories: 310
• Carbs: 30 g
• Protein: 17 g
• Fat: 13 g
• Sodium: 770 mg
• Dietary Fiber: 2 g

2. Sausage McMuffin with Egg

The Sausage McMuffin with Egg subs out the Canadian bacon for a flavorful sausage patty, boosting the overall protein content material as much as 20 grams. However, this swap additionally provides 18 grams of fats, elevating the sandwich’s calorie rely to 480. If your main purpose is maximizing protein, this can be a extra interesting possibility. On the opposite hand, for those who’re targeted on retaining your calorie consumption in verify, the Egg McMuffin could possibly be the smarter selection.

Nutrition Facts, Per Serving

• Calories: 480
• Carbs: 30 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Fat: 32 g
• Sodium: 830 mg
• Dietary Fiber: 2 g

3. Deluxe McCrispy

The Deluxe McCrispy is a fried rooster sandwich topped with shredded lettuce, Roma tomatoes, and creamy mayo on a toasted potato bun. At 530 energy and 27 grams of protein, it’s a flavorful and filling selection for both lunch or dinner. If you’re seeking to reduce on energy, skipping the mayo is a simple technique to loosen up the sandwich with out sacrificing a lot taste.

Nutrition Facts, Per Serving

• Calories: 530
• Carbs: 48 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Fat: 26 g
• Sodium: 1050 mg
• Dietary Fiber: 2 g

4. McChicken

If you’re searching for an inexpensive, high-protein sandwich, the McChicken off the greenback menu is a wonderful selection. This sandwich delivers 14 grams of protein and consists of the McChicken patty, shredded lettuce, and mayo on a bun. Back in my faculty days, this was one in all my go-to orders. I’d seize two McChicken sandwiches, maintain the mayo, and stack the rooster patties collectively on one bun for a double protein enhance with out the additional carbs.

Nutrition Facts, Per Serving

• Calories: 390
• Carbs: 38 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Fat: 21 g
• Sodium: 560 mg
• Dietary Fiber: 1 g

Related: The Best Yogurt for Weight Loss That’s High in Protein and Low in Sugar

5. Quarter Pounder with Cheese

Second solely to the Big Mac, the Quarter Pounder with Cheese is likely one of the most iconic McDonald’s choices. Full of taste, this burger options a juicy quarter-pound beef patty layered between two slices of American cheese, tangy pickles, onions, ketchup, and mustard, all inside a sesame seed bun. With 520 energy and 30 grams of protein, this burger has a protein-to-calorie ratio that’s over 20 %, making it a sensible selection for these aiming to spice up their dietary protein consumption.

Nutrition Facts, Per Serving

• Calories: 520 mg
• Carbs: 42 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Fat: 26 g
• Sodium: 1140 mg
• Dietary Fiber: 2 g

6. Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese

If a single burger patty isn’t sufficient to do the trick, the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese options a hefty 8 ounces of beef. The addition of a second quarter-pound beef patty bumps the protein content material as much as a powerful 48 grams per serving, making it the highest-protein sandwich on the menu. That stated, this protein enhance comes with a larger calorie rely of 740, so it might not be the best choice for anybody with weight loss targets.

Nutrition Facts, Per Serving

• Calories: 740 mg
• Carbs: 43 g
• Protein: 48 g
• Fat: 42 g
• Sodium: 1360 mg
• Dietary Fiber: 2 g

7. Double Cheeseburger

The McDonald’s Double Cheeseburger stacks two all-beef patties with pickles, onions, ketchup, mustard, and two slices of American cheese on a toasted bun. At 440 energy and 25 grams of protein, it’s a high-protein burger that gives a fairly good bang to your buck. If you’re craving a burger that’s each satisfying and budget-friendly, this basic gained’t disappoint.

Nutrition Facts, Per Serving

• Calories: 440 mg
• Carbs: 34 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Fat: 24 g
• Sodium: 1120 mg
• Dietary Fiber: 2 g

8. 20-Piece Chicken McNuggets

If you’re not within the temper for a burger or sandwich, the enduring 20-piece Chicken McNugget meal could be the technique to go. A crowd favourite, the Chicken McNuggets are crispy, tender, and ideal for sharing—or having fun with solo. With 830 energy and 46 grams of protein within the full 20-piece serving, they pack in a severe quantity of protein. However, take into account that the breading provides over 50 grams of carbs, so this feature will not be one of the best match for low-carb diets like keto.

Nutrition Facts, Per Serving

• Calories: 830 mg
• Carbs: 51 g
• Protein: 46 g
• Fat: 49 g
• Sodium: 1490 mg
• Dietary Fiber: 0 g

Related: 12 Best Healthy Carbs for Weight Loss That Don’t Taste Like Diet Foods

How to Eat High-Protein Meals at McDonald’s

If you’re searching for high-protein McDonald’s, it’s finest to order simply the sandwiches and skip the total meal combos. Adding sides like fries and a soda can considerably improve the calorie rely with out offering extra protein or vitamins. Sandwiches just like the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, the Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese, and the Deluxe McCrispy all have higher than 25 grams of protein, making them strong choices for enhancing your protein consumption.

Additionally, ordering your sandwich with out the bun can prevent round 150 energy and enhance the protein-to-calorie ratio of your meal. Other sensible swaps embody changing the fries with apple slices, that are decrease in energy and supply added fiber and vitamins, or selecting drinks like water, unsweetened iced tea, or food plan soda to keep away from added sugars and empty energy. With some considerate decisions and minor tweaks, McDonald’s could be a handy possibility for a high-protein meal to help your targets.

Related: Yes, Sushi Can Be Healthy. But Only If You Order These Rolls

High-Protein McDonald’s FAQs

Can quick food be healthy?

While quick food shouldn’t be a common a part of your food plan, there are occasions when it turns into a sensible necessity, particularly if you’re on the go. The key to creating quick food healthy is making sensible decisions if you order. Choose meals that align along with your private targets, like a grilled rooster sandwich paired with a facet salad or recent fruit as an alternative of fries. Meals like these provide a well-rounded stability of protein and vitamins, serving to you keep on monitor along with your nutrition, even if you’re pressed for time.

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Are there any healthy options to quick food if you’re on the go?

Absolutely, there are healthy options to quick food, however they typically require some planning forward. Meal prepping at dwelling, like packing a nutritious sandwich or wrap, is normally a higher possibility than grabbing quick food. Additionally, transportable snacks reminiscent of protein bars, hard-boiled eggs, beef jerky, combined nuts, or recent fruit could be fast, satisfying, and nutrient-dense choices if you’re on the go. With a little preparation, you may keep away from the temptation of quick food with out sacrificing comfort or nutrition.

What’s the best protein meal from McDonald’s?

The common menu merchandise that gives probably the most protein at McDonald’s is the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, providing a powerful 48 grams of protein in a 740-calorie meal. Close behind is the 20-piece Chicken McNuggets meal, delivering 46 grams of protein for 830 energy. If you’re seeking to cut back the calorie rely, you may select to eat the Double Quarter Pounder with out the bun, which might shave off roughly 150 energy.

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