Not Lovin’ It: How Much Salt is in that McDonald’s Meal?

May 1, 2015

We all know that there is a lot of salt in fast food but just how much sodium is in that McDonald’s food you’re eating? I’ve compiled a list of some common foods to give you a sense. Keep in mind that most experts recommend getting less than 2300 mg of sodium per DAY (not meal!) and that anyone with high blood pressure or heart disease is usually advised to get less than 1500 mg daily. That’s nearly impossible while dining in or taking out Mickey Ds.

Burgers, Sandwiches, and Wraps

Big Mac 960 mg

Cheeseburger 680 mg

Quarter Pounder with bacon and cheese 1380 mg

Southern Style Crispy Chicken Sandwich 910 mg

McRib 980 mg

McWrap Chicken and Ranch (crispy or grilled) 1340 mg

Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich 930 mg

Steakhouse Sirloin Third Pound Burger 1560 mg (add bacon and cheese and it’s a whopping 2060 mg of sodium!)

Bacon Clubhouse Grilled Chicken Sandwich 1720 mg

McWrap Southwest Chicken 1470 mg

Salads and Snacks

Chicken McNuggets (20 piece) 1800 mg

Bacon Ranch Salad (crispy or grilled) 910 mg

Southwest Salad with Crispy Chicken 910 mg

French Fries (large) 290 mg—keep in mind that the cook adds the salt to the fries so there is the potential for a wide variation in the amount of sodium

Breakfasts

Steak, Egg & Cheese Bagel 1510 mg

Sausage McMuffin with Egg 860 mg

Hotcakes and Sausage 930 mg

Southern Style Chicken Biscuit 1180 mg

Egg McMuffin 750 mg

Hashbrown 310 mg

Big Breakfast 1680 mg

Big Breakfast with Egg whites 1700 mg (Many people assume that the egg whites will make the Big Breakfast a heart-healthy option but it contains more sodium than the regular Big Breakfast)

Big Breakfast with Hotcakes and Egg whites 2170 mg

A high sodium diet like a typical North American diet has been linked to a significantly increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Be sure to check out my article “Surprising Source of Sodium Increases Risk of Heart Attack” to discover a common source of hidden sodium and the role sodium plays in the body. Additionally, if you don’t see your favorite McDonald’s foods on the menu above check out its nutrition guide for a complete list of foods and their sodium content. Next week I’ll share some surprising foods high in sodium. Stay posted.