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McDonalds Menu

Flavor:

Quarter Pounder®* with Cheese Bacon

Ingredients:

Quarter Pound 100% Beef Patty* Ingredients: 100% Pure USDA Inspected Beef; No Fillers, No Extenders. Quarter Pound Bun Ingredients: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Sugar, Yeast, Soybean Oil, Contains 2% or Less: Sesame Seeds, Salt, Wheat Gluten, Dextrose, Guar Gum, Vinegar, Vegetable Proteins (Pea, Potato, Rice), Sunflower and/or Canola Oil, Maltodextrin, Natural Flavors, May Contain One or More Dough Conditioners (DATEM, Ascorbic Acid, Mono and Diglycerides, Enzymes), Modified Food Starch. Pasteurized Process American Cheese Ingredients: Milk, Cream, Water, Sodium Citrate, Salt, Cheese Cultures, Citric Acid, Enzymes, Soy Lecithin, Color Added. Thick Cut Applewood Smoked Bacon Ingredients: Pork Bellies Cured With Water, Salt, Sugar, Natural Smoke Flavor, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite. Ketchup Ingredients: Tomato Concentrate From Red Ripe Tomatoes, Distilled Vinegar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Water, Salt, Natural Flavors. Pickle Slices Ingredients: Cucumbers, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Alum, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Natural Flavors, Polysorbate 80, Extractives Of Turmeric (Color). Onions Mustard Ingredients: Distilled Vinegar, Water, Mustard Seed, Salt, Turmeric, Paprika, Spice Extractive.

Rating: We Avoid

Ingredient Score:

Awarded a 1/5 green leaf rating, the McDonald’s Menu Quarter Pounder® with Cheese Bacon is positioned as a choice to be cautious of for those seeking cleaner food options. This product is not organic and utilizes genetically modified ingredients, which detracts from its clean food potential. The presence of added sugars, including sugar, citric acid, and fructose, further diminishes its standing. More concerning is the inclusion of dextrose and corn syrup, compounding the negative health implications associated with excessive sugar consumption.

The Quarter Pounder also contains a range of additives that raise red flags, such as natural flavors, flavor enhancers, diglycerides, enriched flour, soy lecithin, potassium sorbate, and sodium citrate. Each of these ingredients contributes to the product’s low score, as they are not aligned with the principles of clean eating. Particularly worrying is the use of sodium nitrite and maltodextrin, which are known for their adverse health effects.

In the realm of oils, the use of canola and soybean oil is another reason for the low rating, as these oils are often heavily processed and may not fit into a diet focused on whole, unrefined foods. Moreover, the inclusion of high fructose corn syrup is a significant detriment, given the widespread concerns about its health impact and its prevalence in processed foods.

The McDonald’s Quarter Pounder® with Cheese Bacon, with its extensive list of non-organic, GMO, and potentially harmful ingredients, is a product that falls short of the standards for those prioritizing clean eating. The 1/5 green leaf rating serves as a clear indicator for consumers to approach this menu item with caution, steering towards cleaner, more wholesome food choices that align with a health-conscious lifestyle.