Menu
McDonalds Menu
Flavor:
Chicken McNuggets®
Ingredients:
White Boneless Chicken (45% chicken meat), Water, Vegetable Oil (canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil), Enriched Flour (bleached Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Bleached Wheat Flour, Yellow Corn Flour, Vegetable Starch (modified Corn, Wheat, Rice, Pea, Corn), Salt, Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Calcium Lactate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Spices, Yeast Extract, Lemon Juice Solids, Dextrose, Natural Flavors.
Rating: We Avoid
- 1 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
This product earns a 2/5 green leaves rating. McDonald’s Menu Chicken McNuggets® are a processed food item made primarily from white boneless chicken, but its ingredient list reveals several concerns for those seeking cleaner food options. The product is not organic, contains genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and includes added sugars and potentially harmful additives and oils.
The chicken content is less than half of the total product, sitting at 45%, with the remainder consisting of various additives and fillers. The use of non-organic chicken and the presence of GMO ingredients contribute negatively to the product’s cleanliness. Dextrose, a type of added sugar, is used in the McNuggets® and is known for its potential to contribute to adverse health outcomes when consumed in excess. Additionally, the ingredient list contains items that may raise health concerns, such as ‘natural flavors’ and ‘flavors,’ which are often a sign of undisclosed chemical additives.
The oils used in the McNuggets®, including canola, corn, and soybean oils, are not only non-organic but also often derived from GMO crops. These oils are highly processed and may undergo hydrogenation, a process that can produce trans fats known to be harmful to heart health. Enriched flour, another key ingredient, while fortified with vitamins, is stripped of its natural nutrients during the bleaching and refining process, making it a less desirable option compared to whole grains.
The product’s nutritional profile is further compromised by the use of additives like sodium aluminum phosphate and sodium acid pyrophosphate, which are common in processed foods but can be a source of dietary aluminum and phosphorus, elements that should be consumed in moderation.
McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets® fall short of providing a clean eating option. The product’s reliance on processed and non-organic ingredients, coupled with the inclusion of GMOs, added sugars, and questionable additives and oils, detract significantly from its healthfulness. Cleaner alternatives would require a shift to organic, non-GMO ingredients, the elimination of added sugars and harmful additives, and the use of healthier oils and whole grains.
Certifications:
None
Product formulations and certifications may change. For current nutrition facts and ingredient
line information, check product packaging.
Categories:
None
Alternatives
No Items found.
How We Rate
Every company today has a responsibility to be a net positive for the planet,
for society, and for our ecosystem