Some humans are destined for greatness. Some become scholars. Some negotiate peace treaties that save the world. Some eat a Big Mac for lunch every day for 50 years straight. I mean, of course, Donald Gorske, the current Guinness World Record holder for the most Big Mac burgers consumed in a lifetime. gorske recently celebrated 50 years to eat a Big Mac every day, but, Instead of celebrating his amazing achievement, some detractors express half-hearted concern for Gorske’s health.
“It’s hard to believe he’s still alive!” writes a commenter in the Guinness World Records website. “The coroner’s report will be very interesting,” writes another. I’m certainly not here to defend McDonald’s as an entity, but it has to be said: ANutrient-rich lunch options from s go, you could do a lot worse than a Big Mac.
Is a mcdonald’s big mac bad for you?
When you hear “Big Mac,” chances are your mind will go to what To get managing editor Marnie Shure calls “the Spurlockification of everything.” She is referring to Morgan Spurlock, the director of the 2004 documentary. Super Size Me. In the documentary, Spurlock sets out to expose the adverse effects fast-food subsisting entirely on McDonald’s for a month. By the end of the month, Spurlock reported a number of side effects, including weight gain and a drastic increase in cholesterol.. However, in 2017, reporters began to question Spurlock’s claims that McDonald’s caused his poor health after Spurlock confessed to years of alcohol abuse.
I’m not here to litigate Morgan Spurlock’s efficacy as an experimental test subject. I am here to argue that Donald Gorske’s daily Big Mac habit probably isn’t all that important. Let’s break down the nutritional facts of a Big Mac, shall we?
Big Mac Nutrition Facts
for him mcdonalds websitea Big Mac contains the following:
- Calories: 550
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Sodium: 1010mg
let’s start with calories. According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the recommended caloric intake for adult men varies from 2,200 to 3,200 calories per day. Judging from the photos alone, Gorske appears to be of average height, so I’d put him somewhere in the middle of the recommended calorie range. With that in mind, a 550-calorie lunch is perfectly fine. Heck, combine that with a 500-calorie breakfast and 700-calorie lunch and you’ve got plenty of wiggle room. In fact, according to Guinness World Records, Gorske eats two Big Macs a day “most of the time,” which he keeps adding up to. to about half of the recommended daily caloric intake.
In terms of other nutrients, I’m not worried. I would like to see a little more protein here, but 25 grams in a sandwich is perfectly respectable. TThe Big Mac is high in fatbut as long as Gorske opts for low-fat protein sources for the rest of the day, he’s good to go.
The sodium is the biggest issue here, with a Big Mac serving up about 44% of Gorske’s recommended daily sodium value. Still, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a fast food option with less sodium than the Big Mac, at least one that you can make a hearty meal out of.. Take a bowl of Chipotle steak with all the fixings, and you’ll see a sodium content of around 1540mg—about 64% of the total recommended daily value. Even a harmless turkey Tom sub from Jimmy John’s will run 1160mgor 48% of the total recommended daily value.
In the end, it’s all about balance. Cliché, I know, but a daily Big Mac can absolutely fit into a nutrient-dense day. It is high in protein and fairly moderate in terms of calories. Add a salad or a piece of fruit to the mix., and I bet you’re eating better than a large portion of the population. Here’s to 50 more years of Big Macs, Mr. Gorske.
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