Is McDonald's McRib a Healthy Fast Food Option?

The McRib has returned to McDonald's. If you are thinking about ordering this fast food sandwich, you might be wondering whether or not it is a healthy option. While most fast food choices are not considered healthy, there are some which are thought to be healthier than others. Is the McRib one of them? Here's what you should know about this McDonald's menu item.

Calories

One of the first things that you will want to consider when ordering a fast food item is calorie intake. The McDonald's McRib sandwich has 500 calories. 240 of those calories come from fat. On the one hand, this is fairly high - especially if you are planning to order a side of French fries. Nearly half of these calories are from fat, which isn't good. However, there are also higher calorie options on the McDonald's menu than the McRib.

Fat

It is also important to consider the grams of total, saturated, and trans fat that you are consuming when ordering any item off of a fast food menu. The McDonald's McRib sandwich has 26 grams of total fat, which is 40 percent of your recommended daily value. It also has 10 grams of saturated fat, which is 48 percent of your recommended daily value. To the McRib sandwich's benefit, it does not contain any trans fat, as McDonald's is one of the restaurants which has removed trans fat from its menu items.

Sodium and Cholesterol

If you have high blood pressure, it is important to pay attention to sodium when ordering fast food. Those with high cholesterol will want to pay attention to cholesterol. The McDonald's McRib sandwich has 980 mg of sodium, which is 41 percent of your daily recommended value, and 70 mg of cholesterol, which is 23 percent of your daily recommended value. If you need to watch your sodium or cholesterol intake, it is ideal to consider other menu items besides the McRib.

Carbohydrates and Sugars

Refined carbohydrates and sugars are both very bad for your diet, especially if you are worried about your weight and/or are at risk for diabetes. The McDonald's McRib sandwich offers 44 grams of carbohydrates, which mostly come from the bun and make up 15 percent of your recommended daily value. It also offers 11 grams of sugar.

Fiber and Protein

Although the McDonald's McRib sandwich is full of fat and sodium, there are a few healthy nutrients that it offers. It offers 3 grams of dietary fiber, which is 10 percent of your daily recommended value. The McRib also offers 22 grams of protein, which is very benefit. That said, there are much healthier options to consider which offer dietary fiber and protein.

Overall, it is important to keep in mind that the McDonald's McRib sandwich is not the healthiest option on the menu, but it's also not the worst. If you plan to order it, you will want to skip on the French fries, which will only add more calories and fat to your diet. For some healthy McDonald's menu suggestions, visit this article. For more nutritional information about the McRib, visit the McDonald's menu.