MCDONALD’s and dieting don’t normally appear in the same sentence.
But a top dietitian reckons you can enjoy your favourite fast food and still lose weight.
Registered dietitian Emily Leeming has revealed her top five McDonald’s picks for people trying to lose weight
It’s all down to choosing the right items from the extensive menu at different times of day.
According to Emily Leeming, from King’s College London, the most important thing to keep in mind is how full a meal is going to keep you.
The registered dietitian and nutrition scientist is less worried about calories, and more concerned about nutritional value.
She said: “A quick tip is to focus more on what will keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer.
“Look for options that contain lots of fresh veggies, like salads and wraps, lower calorie unfried protein options like grilled chicken and salmon, and pulses like chickpeas.
“For something sweet, there’s often cut up fruit.
“Don’t fixate on calories alone from the menu as even food options that are lower in calories might not actually keep you feeling full and energised if they are highly processed.
“Usually, this is when it’s difficult to tell what a fast food meal is made up of.”
With that in mind, here are Emily’s top five dishes to order next time you’re in Maccies and don’t want to ruin your wasitline.
1. Porridge
The McDonald’s breakfast menu is full of savoury muffins stuffed with sausages, eggs and bacon.
There are also sweet options like pancakes with syrup and a muffin with jam.
But if you’re trying to lose weight, Emily thinks you’re best off going for plain porridge.
“Start your day with oats,” she said. “They contain a particular type of fibre called soluble fibre which can keep you feeling full.”
One serving of porridge contains 154 calories – almost a third of that in a Sausage & Egg McMuffin.
2. Apple & Grape Fruit Bag
To go alongside your porridge, or as a mid-morning snack, Emily said you should pick up the Apple & Grape Fruit Bag.
It is low calorie, at just 46 per bag, and counts as at least one of your five a day.
3. Grilled Chicken Salad
When it comes to deciding what to have for lunch, a Grilled Chicken Salad is ideal, Emily said.
The 118-calorie dish comes with lettuce, tomato slices, cucumber and red onion rings and is topped with chicken breast cooked with natural flavourings.
“The fibre and protein from the veggies and chicken will slow down how quickly your body digests your meal, giving you more stable energy levels throughout the day,” Emily said.
4. Sweet Chilli Chicken Wrap – Grilled
If you want something a little more substantial, try a chicken wrap instead of a burger.
There are several on offer, but the ones with grilled meat like the Sweet Chilli Chicken Wrap are best for people on a diet, Emily said.
These contain around 320 calories, compared to 470 for ones with crispy fried chicken and 799 in a Big Tasty.
Like the salads, the wraps come with lettuce, tomato and cucumber.
“An easy way to pick options is to go for one where you can visually see there’s plenty of salad and veggies, plus a protein source like grilled chicken,” Emily said.
5. Side Salad
Finally, when choosing an accompaniment, Emily would order a Side Salad with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and red onion.
She said at 18 calories, it’s perfect as a starter, or to eat alongside your main meal.
“It gets in one of your five a day,” she added.
“By focusing on what you need more of for your health, it can feel less restrictive if you’re trying to lose weight.
“This takes time, and it isn’t an easy road for most people, so it’s important to think about changes that are easier to keep up day to day.”