The fact is, it is not only possible, it is also easy to lose weight at McDonald’s. The secret is the McDonald’s Calorie Chart. In order to take advantage of it, you will need to know your target calorie range. An average woman needs about 2000 calories per day to maintain weight. To lose about a pound per week, she will need to eat 1500 calories per day. Most women could start with this target. The average man needs about 2700 calories per day to maintain their weight. (Yes, ladies, I know. This really isn’t fair!) So a man might start at 2200 calories per day to lose a pound a week. Note that it is important to consult your doctor before you start any diet, to make sure all your health concerns are accounted for. Your doctor may recommend a different calorie target for you.
Now that you have a target calorie range in mind, you’ll need that calorie chart. McDonalds often has printed copies available, so make sure you ask when you next visit your local McDonalds. However, if you want to review one in the comfort of your home, you can find one online at this link: http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/nutritionexchange/nutritionfacts.pdf. Note that this chart includes a lot more than just calories. You can build a healthy diet using this information!
Let’s create an example of a weight-loss diet using the McDonald’s Calorie Chart. For breakfast, you might choose a high-protein, healthy Egg McMuffin or Sausage Burrito, with a black coffee. Either choice starts your day with 300 calories and between 12-14 grams of protein. Plus, you can’t beat the convenience factor. Do you have mid-morning hunger pangs? That calorie chart tells you that apple slices with low-fat caramel might do the trick for only 100 calories. For lunch, you might choose a Southwest Chicken salad, which only has 390 calories. You might choose milk for calcium, vitamins, and extra protein, your lunch is a low 490 calories. So far, you’ve had 890 calories and are well on your way to a great day on your weight loss plan. You might need an afternoon snack though, so why not try a fruit and yogurt parfait for only 160 calories. Using that chart, you know exactly what you are eating, and you know that you’ve only had 1050 calories. For dinner, you have a number of options. You can have another salad and hold the dressing, and enjoy an ice cream cone instead. Alternatively, treat yourself to a premium grilled chicken club sandwich! Either way, you are right on target with your daily calorie intake and right on target with your weight loss goals.
It may seem unlikely that you can enjoy a healthy diet, and lose weight, while eating at McDonalds. And granted, if it were not for the McDonalds Calorie Chart, it would be difficult to do. But if you are armed and ready with that information, you can have weight loss, convenience, and a healthy, delicious diet – all at McDonalds.
