3 McDonald’s Menu Hacks That Will Save You 300 Calories Every Time You Eat There

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McDonald's isn't exactly known for offering low-cal meals, but not all hope is lost. If you need a quick bite to eat or are just really craving a Big Mac, check out these three easy hacks that can save you major calories the next time you chow down at the burger empire.

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First off, order a salad. Critics rave that McDonald's salads actually have almost as many calories as a burger, but that's an easy fix. Ordering grilled chicken over cripsy chicken already saves you a whopping 170 calories. Next, order low-fat dressing to shave off 130-150 calories just like that. Whatever you do, avoid the ranch dressing at all costs if you want to cut calories. 

This might be one of the hardest goodbyes you'll ever have to make, but ditch the side of french fries. Ordering apple slices with low-fat caramel dip saves you 130 calories. You can also get a side salad at only 15 calories, as opposed to 230 calories for a small fry. Once you've tasted the greatness that is McDonald's french fries, it's hard to imagine life without them. If you can't stand the thought of depriving yourself, you can at least shave off 110 calories by sticking to a small versus medium size.

Finally, another great way to save calories is to cut back on dessert. But don't worry—you can still satisfy your sweet tooth. Instead of getting a strawberry sundae, go for their fruit 'n yogurt parfait. Substituting low-fat yogurt for ice cream saves you about 170 calories. It tastes (almost) just as good.

To test out different ways to get rid of calories from your favorite Mickey D's menu items, you can check out their online menu and customize variations of certain foods. It can show you just how many calories are actually in a Big Mac (you may not want to know) and which sides make the best low-cal snack. Eating at McDonald's doesn't have to have such a negative connotation if you order the right combinations,