Will McDonald’s have salads in 2022? (no, but there are other options)
McDonald’s is one of the largest fast food chains in the world, founded in San Bernardino, California in 1940. Their founders Richard and Maurice MacDonald then renamed it a hamburger stand and they built it into the franchise we all know and love.
As of 2020, McDonald’s has nearly 37,855 stores in 100 different countries around the world, and its global brand valuation ranks ninth.
If you’re trying to pick something healthy from the McDonald’s menu, like a salad or yogurt, you’re likely to be disappointed. Does McDonald’s have salads? The short answer is no, as they no longer serve salads on the menu. But there are still some healthy alternatives available, and you can read about them!
Does McDonald’s have salads?
McDonald’s has been serving salads on the menu since 1987 – 30 years! While recently, many people have noticed that salads are starting to disappear from their daily McDonald’s menu, Golden Arches does sell fruit and maple oatmeal and corn.
The main reason for this change is the Covid-19 pandemic, especially the new costs that it brings. According to Business Insider, McDonald’s has cut many less popular items from its menu, including salads, grilled chicken sandwiches and yogurt. They made this choice to reduce costs, simplify and speed up operations.
According to Eat This, Not That!, the fast food chain is reluctant to reintroduce salads to their menu due to lack of demand. In fact, the move boosted profits, even surpassing pre-pandemic numbers, according to The Wall Street Journal.
What are the healthy foods on the McDonald’s menu?
Since you don’t have a salad option at McDonald’s, what other options do you have? McDonald’s is generally known for their burgers and fries, which aren’t usually very healthy, but they do have some healthy options on their menu.
We’ve rounded up some of them and ranked them from healthiest to least healthy.
Egg Wheat Muffins
300 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 760mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (2g fiber, 3g sugar) and 17g protein.
Egg McMuffin is one of the lowest calorie items on the McDonald’s menu. The sandwich contains a butter-based toasted English muffin, a freshly cracked Grade A egg and Canadian lean bacon and melted American cheese.
Classic Wheat Chicken
400 calories, 21g fat (3.5g saturated fat), 560mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (1g fiber, 5g sugar) and 14g protein.
McChicken is a protein-packed burger with the least fat compared to its compatriots. It contains a slice of lettuce, 14 grams of protein and mayo, and a loaf of bread. With a total of 400 calories, this is the perfect meal to keep you feeling full while consuming the fewest calories.
6 Chicken McNuggets
475 calories, 22.5g fat (4.5g saturated fat), 715mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (2g fiber, 15g sugar) and 24g protein.
Happy Meal includes 6 McNuggets, apple slices, 1% milk and chips. This combination has minimal saturated fat and lots of protein to keep you feeling fuller for longer.
What unhealthy McDonald’s foods to avoid?
Similar to the list above, here’s a compiled list of the 3 most unhealthy foods on the McDonald’s menu to avoid if you’re keen to stay healthy. This list is ordered from least healthy to least healthy.
Hot cakes for a hearty breakfast
1,340 calories, 63g fat (25g saturated fat), 2070mg sodium, 158g carbohydrate (5g fiber, 48g sugar) and 36g protein.
The meal includes scrambled eggs, hot crackers, hash browns, golden brown pancakes, and sausage. True to its name, this meal is high in calories and fat, with 63 grams of fat and 48 grams of sugar in a single serving.You should avoid this meal
McFlurry with M&M’s 16 oz cup
930 calories, 33g fat (18g saturated fat), 260mg sodium, 139g carbohydrate (2g fiber, 128g sugar) and 20g protein.
McDonald’s McFlurry is usually served with soft vanilla with M&M’s chocolate candy swirled in it. A large 16-ounce cup is often dangerous because it’s high in sugar and low in protein. Not recommended for people with high blood sugar, cholesterol and diabetes.
McCafe Shake, 22 oz cup
820 calories, 21g fat (13g saturated fat), 370mg sodium, 138g carbohydrate (0g fiber, 92g sugar) and 18g protein.
McCafe shakes are often high in calories and fat, even more calories than the average McDonald’s meal. They come in 3 flavors, vanilla, strawberry and chocolate.
Shake ingredients are usually soft (your choice of flavor) and topped with whipped cream for a cool and delicious treat. This is very unhealthy for people with high blood sugar and diabetes.
Does Burger King have a salad?
Burger King is one of McDonald’s direct competitors and they do offer salads on their menu. According to Burger King’s official website, they offer two salads for you to order. Two salad options on the menu include Chicken Garden Salad and Side Garden Salad.
Chicken Garden Salad has 870 calories of protein and fiber, while Side Garden Salad has about 322 calories. These are excellent healthy options if you want to watch your diet at Burger King.
Does Wendy have a salad?
According to Wendy’s website and store, they have five different salads on their menu. Salad items include Chicken Caesar Salad, Taco Salad, Apple Pecan Salad, Jalapeno Popper Salad and Southwestern Avocado Salad.
These salads are between 400-600 calories per serving, making them an excellent meal when dieting.
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in conclusion…
McDonald’s has taken a number of steps to restore its image as a healthier fast food restaurant compared to its competitors. Due to the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, the plan has reversed course, forcing them to cut costs to adapt to the new normal.
The move seems to be working well for them, profits have increased over the past few years, and customers don’t seem to be missing out on the McSalad menu. If you want healthy food at a fast food restaurant, consider visiting Wendy’s or Burger King as they offer a variety of salads on their menu.
