McDos and McDon'ts


McDonald's Survival Guide

The rumors are true: you can do Mickey D's without wasting lots of fat and calories! But there are some scary options you need to avoid. Here's HG's breakdown of the need-to-know info when eating at Ronald's restaurant…

Breakfast 101 It may appear on the dessert menu, but the Fruit 'n Yogurt Parfait is a GREAT breakfast item. Skip the granola, and it'll only cost you 130 calories and 2 fat grams. Order an English muffin with strawberry preserves or grape jam for just 180 calories and 1.5g fat (plus 2 grams of fiber). For a powerhouse start to the day, order BOTH the granola-less Parfait and the jelly-topped muffin–the whole thing'll only set you back 310 calories and 3.5 fat grams! But skip the meaty b-fast sandwiches and morning meal combos—those are all loaded with fat and calories. And no matter how much you're craving it, do NOT cave and order McD's Deluxe Breakfast. It's got 1,320 calories and 63 grams of fat! That's a major McDon't…

What to Munch at Lunch Order any of McD's salads with grilled chicken (not crispy!) and one of their low-fat dressings, and you'll be satisfied with your guilt-free greens! We're currently obsessed with the Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken—only 320 calories and 9 grams of fat. The Southwest dressing does add another 100 cals and 6 fat grams, but if you swap it with the Low Fat Balsamic (40 calories, 3g fat) or the Low Fat Italian (60 calories, 2.5g fat), it's a Southwest-style steal! Skip the calorie-infested burgers, sandwiches, and assorted fried items. If you're craving something sandwich-y, go for their Honey Mustard Snack Wrap with grilled chicken; if you skip the cheese it'll only have 220 calories and 6g fat (but remember, it is snack-sized!).

Drive-Thru Dessert Yup, you can even indulge is some sweet stuff at Mickey D's, as long as you choose your chews wisely. Sweet slices of apple with a cup of caramel to dip 'em in are available for only 105 calories and a half-gram of fat. And a cone of their reduced fat ice cream only has 150 calories and 3.5 fat grams. But avoid their freakishly fatty shakes and baked treats (even that teeny handheld apple pie is packed with 12 grams of fat). Blech!

Do you have a fave guilt-free crave at McDonald's? Spill it NOW!


Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
More From Lifestyle