The Absolute Worst Sandwiches At McDonalds, According To Nutrition Experts–#3 Has 740 Calories!
February 27, 2025 by Marissa Matozzo
Fast food isn’t exactly known for being healthy, but let’s be real—sometimes convenience wins. McDonald’s has plenty of tasty options, but some of their sandwiches are packed with sodium and calories, which can throw off your diet goals. To get the scoop on what to avoid, we talked to nutritionists, heart health experts, and dietitians.
They helped us pinpoint five McDonald’s sandwiches that are especially high in sodium and calories—ones you might want to skip if you’re trying to stay healthy. From the classic Big Mac to the Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle, here’s how these menu items can affect your health and make weight loss even harder if eaten too often. Plus, we’ve got some tips on healthier swaps!
The 5 High-Calorie McDonald’s Sandwiches Experts Say Are The Worst For Your Health
1. Big Mac
The Big Mac is perhaps the most iconic item on the McDonald's menu, but we're sorry to say that it's also one of the most unhealthy. We hate being the bearers of bad news, but the Big Mac contains 590 calories, 11g of saturated fat, and a whopping 1,050mg of sodium. "The Big Mac itself is a calorie-dense option with two beef patties, special sauce, cheese, and high levels of unhealthy saturated fats and sodium," says Lisa Richards, creator of The Candida Diet.
And that's just the burger alone! If you get a meal with a soda and fries as well, you're setting yourself up for an even bigger negative effect on your health; especially when it comes to your heart. "This combination of high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sodium items promotes an unbalanced diet that is not conducive to maintaining a healthy weight or supporting cardiovascular well-being," Richards adds.
2. Sausage, Egg, & Cheese McGriddle
Ordering a McGriddle may not be the best idea for your body. The Sausage Egg & Cheese McGriddle, for example, contains 550 calories, 33g fat, and 1290mg sodium.
Eating this McDonald's item already puts you at over half the recommended daily intake of sodium for adults (2,300mg.) And as health experts warn us time and time again, consuming too much salt can result in serious health risks, including heart attacks, high blood pressure, and so much more.
We have more bad news, as ground sausage is one type of meat that experts recommend avoiding for quite a few different reasons. "Ground sausage is often considered an artery-clogging meat due to its high content of saturated fat and cholesterol," Richards explains, adding: "Sausage is often processed with additives, preservatives, and high levels of sodium, which can exacerbate these health concerns by contributing to hypertension and water retention."
3. Double Quarter Pounder With Cheese
Dr. Erik Natkin thinks the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese is one of the worst items on the McDonald's menu for quite a few reasons. "This item contains approximately 740 calories, 42 grams of fat (19 grams of which are saturated fat), and 1,360 milligrams of sodium," he notes, and that's probably because these high levels of unhealthy fats and sodium can lead to clogged arteries and increase the risk of heart disease.
Regular consumption of such a heavy, fatty meal can lead to elevated cholesterol levels and hypertension, which are major risk factors for cardiovascular problems.
4. Bacon, Egg And Cheese Biscuit
McDonald's is well-known for its breakfast biscuit sandwiches, such as the Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit. However, Bess Berger, a registered dietitian nutritionist and the founder of Nutrition by Bess in New Jersey, advises against choosing this popular item if maintaining your health and avoiding weight gain are your main concerns.
As she told Eat This, Not That: "The Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit is one of McDonalds' go to breakfasts options, but it contains 460 calories, 26 grams of fat (13 grams saturated fat), and 1,330 milligrams of sodium." She went on: "The combination of processed meats and high sodium levels makes it a less healthy choice."
5. McRib
Many enjoy the McRib for its tangy sauce, crispy onions, and unique flavor. However, Berger advises avoiding it because of its high calorie count, processed meat, and various additives. As she also told the outlet: "This fake sandwich is made of processed meat with questionable ingredients."
She continued: "It's drenched in a sugary barbecue sauce and laden in fat and sodium with little nutritional value. With 520 calories, 28 grams of fat, and 890 mg of sodium, it's definitely prudent to steer clear of the McRib."
The Bottom Line
Treating yourself once in a while is perfectly fine, but staying aware of the nutritional value of fast food like McDonald's is crucial for safeguarding your heart, weight and overall health. Experts tell us that opting for leaner choices and maintaining a balanced diet abundant in whole foods allows you to savor an occasional indulgence without compromising your well-being.