{"id":506066,"date":"2026-05-28T00:44:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T00:44:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/506066\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T00:44:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T00:44:21","slug":"we-asked-dietitians-their-favorite-mcdonalds-burger-they-all-picked-the-same-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/506066\/","title":{"rendered":"We Asked Dietitians Their Favorite McDonald\u2019s Burger\u2014They All Picked the Same One"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Reviewed by Dietitian Lisa Valente, M.S., RD<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Credit: Getty Images. EatingWell design.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/aol_eating_well_articles_739\/f604ce15cabfe2c0ca9f7ab739ec4acf.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Credit: Getty Images. EatingWell design.<\/p>\n<p>Key Points<\/p>\n<ul class=\"content-list\">\n<li class=\"list-disc\">\n<p>At McDonald\u2019s, dietitians recommend the Regular Cheeseburger.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"list-disc\">\n<p>It\u2019s lower in calories and sodium while still delivering some protein and nutrients.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"list-disc\">\n<p>Other tips include drinking water, downsizing your fries, and skipping extra sauces.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you\u2019re eating at McDonald\u2019s, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll be ordering a burger. Burgers are the iconic chain\u2019s proverbial bread and butter. McDonald\u2019s sells approximately 6.5 million of them per day!<\/p>\n<p>While hamburgers aren\u2019t exactly known as health food, in moderation, they can be part of a balanced diet. \u201cAn occasional burger can be a healthy choice if you\u2019re dining out,\u201d says <a data-ylk=\"slk:Lisa Andrews, MEd, RDN, LD;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" href=\"http:\/\/soundbitesnutrition.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Lisa Andrews, MEd, RDN, LD<\/a>. Despite its typical high calories, saturated fat and sodium, a burger has some surprising nutrition to offer. \u201cIt\u2019s a good source of protein, iron, B vitamins and zinc,\u201d Andrews says.<\/p>\n<p>Looking to make the best possible burger pick at McDonald\u2019s? You\u2019re in luck. We polled three dietitians about the healthiest option. They all pointed to the Regular Cheeseburger. Here\u2019s why.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s Relatively Low in Calories and Sodium<\/p>\n<p>Compared to the double-pattied, sauce-slathered Big Mac or Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, the Regular Cheeseburger\u2019s calories are relatively low. At 300 calories, it provides less than half the amount of some other burger options on McDonald\u2019s menu, Andrews says.<\/p>\n<p>She also notes the Regular Cheeseburger\u2019s comparatively low sodium of 720 milligrams (31% of the Daily Value). \u201c[This] is much lower than the larger burgers,\u201d she says. (The Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese is a particular culprit at 1,360 milligrams.) Since most Americans eat far more than recommended amounts of sodium, keeping tabs on your intake is a good idea. Overdoing it can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke.,<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a Good Source of Protein<\/p>\n<p>Even at its lower calorie count, the Regular Cheeseburger is still a solid source of protein. \u201cThe Regular Cheeseburger gives you about 15 grams of protein, which is meaningful,\u201d says <a data-ylk=\"slk:Erin Jowett, M.S., RD;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.integrativeweightandwellness.com\/meet-erin\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Erin Jowett, M.S., RD<\/a>. \u201cProtein is one of the most important nutrients for preserving lean muscle mass, supporting metabolism and keeping you full between meals.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend adults get 1.2-1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight each day.For a 150-pound person, that\u2019s 82-109 grams, of which a Regular Cheeseburger knocks out 14-18%.<\/p>\n<p>It Offers a (Small) Boost of Fiber<\/p>\n<p>The pickles, tomato, and onion on a Regular Cheeseburger don\u2019t just provide tangy flavor. They also add a small boost of fiber. \u201cThis burger provides 2 grams of fiber, which is 6% of the Daily Value,\u201d says<a data-ylk=\"slk:Alyssa Smolen, M.S., RD;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arugalyssa.com\/about\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"> Alyssa Smolen, M.S., RD<\/a>. \u201cSince most people don\u2019t consume enough fiber, every bit counts!\u201d,<\/p>\n<p>Want to take fiber a bit further? Enjoy your cheeseburger with some baby carrots or pepper slices. You\u2019d have to pack these or bring your burger home to add a side of produce.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It Features Dairy<\/p>\n<p>Another food group Americans may not get enough of: dairy. As much as 88% of us don\u2019t hit the recommended three servings per day. This results in lower-than-optimal intakes of important nutrients like calcium.<\/p>\n<p>While the slice of American cheese on the Regular Cheeseburger is highly processed, it still counts as a half serving of dairy.This contributes to the burger\u2019s total of 8% of the Daily Value of calcium.<\/p>\n<p>It Includes a Dose of Iron<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne underrated benefit of a regular cheeseburger is its iron content from the beef,\u201d says Jowett. Since iron is essential for oxygen transport and energy production, getting plenty of it can play a role in your everyday energy levels.The Regular Cheeseburger provides 15% of the Daily Value.\u201cWhile it\u2019s not a huge amount, it contributes to overall intake, and again, you\u2019re getting it in a more balanced portion compared to heavier burgers on their menu loaded with extra cheese and sauces,\u201d Jowett says.<\/p>\n<p>Other Tips for Ordering at McDonald\u2019s<\/p>\n<p>Other smart menu swaps can health-ify your McDonald\u2019s order, too. Try these dietitian-approved tips:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"content-list\">\n<li class=\"list-disc\">\n<p><strong>Choose water over soda<\/strong>. Sugary drinks can easily double the calorie impact of the meal without adding to feelings of fullness. \u201cSticking with water, unsweetened tea or a diet beverage keeps the meal more metabolically balanced,\u201d Jowett says.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"list-disc\">\n<p><strong>Downsize the fries<\/strong>. Rather than a large fries, Andrews recommends sharing a small order with a friend, if possible. This way, you\u2019ll enjoy a more moderate portion of this salty side.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"list-disc\">\n<p><strong>Skip the sauces<\/strong>. Limiting (or opting out of) sauces on your burger or fries can dial down fat and sodium, Smolen says. Try going easy on ketchup, barbecue sauce, Ranch or other dipping choices.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"list-disc\">\n<p><strong>Add apples<\/strong>. McDonald\u2019s menu may not be brimming with produce, but you can find fruit if you look closely. Jowett recommends pairing your burger with a side of apple slices instead of fries. You\u2019ll cut back on calories and sodium in a major way.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"list-disc\">\n<p><strong>Try a coffee drink as dessert.<\/strong> When you\u2019re craving something sweet, Andrews says McDonald\u2019s coffee menu is a hidden gem. \u201cGo for a small iced coffee as a treat instead of a McFlurry, cookie or apple pie,\u201d she suggests. \u201cA small McCaf\u00e9\u00ae provides just 150 calories.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Our Expert Take<\/p>\n<p>A once-in-awhile trip to McDonald\u2019s won\u2019t make or break your diet\u2019s healthfulness. A burger can fit into the bigger picture of an eating pattern that focuses on protein, blood sugar stability and overall balance, Jowett says. When you do swing through the drive-thru or dine in, know that you can make a decent choice with the Regular Cheeseburger. Its relatively low calories and sodium, serving of dairy, and standout minerals make it a cut above other Mickey D\u2019s burgers.<\/p>\n<p>Read the original article on <a data-ylk=\"slk:EatingWell;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/dietitians-favorite-mcdonalds-burger-11983594\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">EatingWell<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Reviewed by Dietitian Lisa Valente, M.S., RD Credit: Getty Images. EatingWell design. Key Points At McDonald\u2019s, dietitians recommend&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":506067,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[277],"tags":[27477,120958,219728,219727,18,195902,135,19,17,173055,219726,10586,508],"class_list":["post-506066","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nutrition","tag-calories","tag-cheeseburger","tag-daily-value","tag-double-quarter-pounder-with-cheese","tag-eire","tag-erin-jowett","tag-health","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-lisa-andrews","tag-mcdonalds-menu","tag-mcdonalds","tag-nutrition"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/116649438474007002","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/506066","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=506066"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/506066\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/506067"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=506066"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=506066"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=506066"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}