
McDonaldâs has been there for us when we needed it most during 2020. As we braved quarantine, the company helped get us through time spent at home, especially when we just didnât have the strength to cook another meal. While the chain took some of the pressure off our life, it didnât do always do us favors for our figures. According to Yale Medicine, the time spent at home during quarantine caused many of us to gain some significant weight, with some of us gaining as much as 30 pounds! As the year draws to a close, we can pinpoint some of the unhealthiest McDonaldâs items of 2020 that probably contributed to this number.
Whether these items loaded up on fat, salt, sugar, or a combination of all three, a handful of their offerings truly earned the mantle of âunhealthiest menu itemsâ during 2020. Many of the worst offenders are tried and true classics, making the fast-food chainâs menu a true nutritional minefield. Trying to figure out which McDonaldâs items do the most damage can make anyoneâs head spin, but luckily, we assembled the top unhealthiest McDonaldâs items in 2020 with the help of doctors and registered dietitians to keep your diet on track. Read on, and for more healthy eating tips, be sure to check out our list of 15 Underrated Weight Loss Tips That Actually Work.
Strawberry Shake

âFor those consuming a 2000-calorie diet, this [shake] accounts for a quarter of your energy for the day, potentially making it harder for you to meet your needs for essential nutrients,â says Dr. Jinan Banna, PhD, RD, and professor of nutrition.
âConsumers might think that there is some health benefit from this shake, as âstrawberryâ makes it seem as though perhaps it would contain quite a bit of fruit,â says Dr. Banna. âThe vanilla ice cream included also contains a lot of sugar, as it is the second ingredient listed. All in all, while you will get some calcium and potassium out of this shake, it will probably put you over your limit for calories, sugar, and saturated fat for the day in the context of the typical American diet.â
If you canât get enough of McDonaldâs but donât want to sacrifice your diet for a burger, check out 7 Healthiest McDonaldâs Orders, According to a Dietitian to learn which items can make or break your eating plan when you crave some deep-fried goodness.
McCafe Blueberry Muffin

âOh⌠the innocent blueberry muffin,â says Amanda A. Kostro Miller, RD, LDN, and Fitter Living advisory board member. âThe main problem here: If you eat this for breakfast, itâs got enough calories to really put a dent in your daily calorie intakeâin just one food item. With only 2 grams of fiber, it likely wonât keep you very full. If youâre trying to lose weight, it might be best to avoid this as a âsnackâ since it has nearly 500 calories!â
If you ever believed a pastry with blueberries makes your day more wholesome, you are in for a shock. If you crave the tastes of a blueberry muffin but donât want to deal with the calories, check out 20 Healthy Blueberry Muffin Recipes.
Mocha Frappe

A regular cup of black coffee never hurt anyone, but when you load up your cup with cream and sugar, you end up with one of the unhealthiest McDonaldâs menu items of 2020.
âItâs advertised as a âhint of coffeeâ and theyâre right,â says Miller. âIf youâre using this as your daily cup of JoeâŚthere are far healthier options. In the small Mocha Frappe, thereâs 420 calories, 17 grams fat, 54 grams sugar, and a measly 1 gram fiber. Think of this drink as a big dessert.â
Spicy Chicken McNuggets

Many of us couldnât get enough of the Spicy Chicken McNuggets, a special 2020 offering that has since disappeared from menus. While many of us loved the item, our bodies definitely did not feel the same way.
âJust 10 pieces contain [over] 420 calories (60% from fat) and nearly 1000 milligrams of sodium (half a days worth),â says Dr. Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, author of Finally Full, Finally Slim. âStick with grilled chicken instead.â
Big Mac

âThe fast-food industry has been known to design food items for the consumersâ convenience rather than for improving their health⌠and one of the worst well-loved fast food items that are detrimental to health is McDonaldâs Big Mac,â says Dr. Gan Eng Cern. âNot only is it swimming in fat, sodium, and calories that lead to obesity, kidney and liver anomalies, and heart diseases, but it also includes tomatoes and lettuce which makes people think that it is somehow âhealthyâ and good for frequent consumption.â
âThe truth of it is that all [McDonald] burgers, no matter how many more lettuce and slices of tomatoes are added, still provide 0 nutritional value,â says Dr. Cern.
Instead, why not make your own version at home with our Best Copycat Big Mac Recipe?
Fries

âThese world-famous fries may be celebrated for [their] taste, but certainly not for [their] nutritional value,â says Dr. Cern. âFries are swimming in preservatives and chemicals, a small order will give you 230 calories and 11 grams of fat, but the worst thing about this food item is that itâs addicting!â
âPeople simply canât get enough of it so they consume large amounts on a frequent basis, this ultimately leads to kidney and liver problems, metabolic disturbances, imbalanced gut health, and CVDs,â says Dr. Cern.
If you love McDonaldâs but need to stick to more wholesome items, you have your work cut out for you. By remaining vigilant and avoiding these nutritional disasters, you can end 2020 on a nutritional high note and move into the new year with better health.