How McDonald’s UK menu compares to America’s – and the items which are more calorific 

It’s one of the most popular fast food chains on both sides of the Atlantic.

Yet, despite having almost identical menus, food sold at McDonald’s in Britain can have drastically different ingredients and nutritional values than their American equivalents.

Here, MailOnline shares how six popular items can vary between the two nations.

The Big Mac 

It’s the fast food chain’s flagship product, loved by millions worldwide.

The American Big Mac has 590 calories, while the UK version has 493

The Big Mac consists of two beef patties, packed inside a sesame seed bun dressed with lettuce, Big Mac sauce, cheese, pickles and onions.

Despite being made with exactly the same seven components, the burger contains an extra 100 calories in the US. The American version has 590, compared to 493 in the UK.

The difference is the equivalent of treating yourself to a hash brown.

For reference, the daily recommended intake to maintain a healthy weight is 2,000 calories for women and 2,500 for men.

As well as being more calorific, the US burger is packed with more fat (34g vs 24g), saturated fat (11g vs 8.8g) and carbohydrates (46g vs 42g) than the UK version.

The burgers, however, have similar sugar and salt levels in both countries at around 9g and 2.2g, respectively.

Adults in the UK are advised to eat no more than 6g of salt per day, while officials in the US say not to exceed 2.3g. Too much can lead to high blood pressure, and its knock-on complications.

Registered dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine said the salt content in both burgers, which is around a third of the daily recommended limit in Britain and the entire recommended amount in America, is ‘huge’. 

INGREDIENTS IN THE UK

BIG MAC BUN 

EITHER: WHEAT Flour (contains Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamine), Water, Sugar, Sesame seeds, Rapeseed Oil, Salt, Yeast, Wheat Gluten, Emulsifier (Mono- and Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids), Antioxidant (Ascorbic Acid); OR: Wheat Flour, Water, Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Rapeseed Oil, Sesame Seeds, Salt, Yeast, Emulsifier (Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Mono- and Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids), Flour Treatment Agent (Ascorbic Acid).

BEEF PATTY

100% Pure Beef.

LETTUCE (ICEBERG)

100% Iceberg Lettuce.

BIG MAC SAUCE

EITHER: Water, Rapeseed Oil, Gherkin, Spirit Vinegar, Sugar, Modified Maize Starch, Allergen, Free Range Egg Yolk, Spices, Salt, Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Thickener (Xanthan Gum), Natural Flavourings, Firming Agent (Calcium Chloride); OR: Water, Rapeseed Oil, Spirit Vinegar, Gherkins, Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Sugar, Modified Maize Starch, Egg Yolk, Spices, Salt, Thickener (Xanthan Gum), Natural Flavourings, Yeast Extract, Firming Agent (Calcium Chloride).

CHEDDAR CHEESE SLICE

EITHER: Vegetarian Cheddar (51%), Water, Vegetarian Cheese (9%), Whey Powder, Butter, Emulsifying Salts (Trisodium Citrate, Citric Acid), Milk Proteins, Natural Cheese Flavouring, Salt, Colours (Beta Carotene, Paprika Extract), Anti-Caking Agent (Lecithins); OR: Vegetarian Cheddar (51%), Water, Vegetarian Cheese (9%), Whey Powder, Butter, Emulsifying Salts (Trisodium Citrate, Tripotassium Citrate, Citric Acid), Milk Protein, Natural Cheese Flavouring, Salt, Colours (Carotene, Paprika Extract), Anti-Caking Agent (Lecithins).

PICKLES

Gherkins, Water, Spirit Vinegar, Salt, Firming Agent (Calcium Chloride), Natural Flavouring, Preservative (Potassium Sorbate).

ONIONS 

100% Onion. 

INGREDIENTS IN THE US

BIG MAC BUN 

Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Sugar, Yeast, Soybean Oil, Contains 2% Or Less: Salt, Wheat Gluten, Sesame Seeds, Potato Flour, Vinegar, Dextrose, Corn Starch, Modified Food Starch, Vegetable Proteins (Pea, Potato, Rice And/or Faba Bean), Sunflower And/or Canola Oil, Maltodextrin, Natural Flavors, May Contain One Or More Dough Conditioners (DATEM, Ascorbic Acid, Mono And Diglycerides, Enzymes),

BEEF PATTY

100% Pure USDA Inspected Beef

LETTUCE (ICEBERG)

Lettuce.

BIG MAC SAUCE

Soybean Oil, Sweet Relish (diced Pickles, Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Corn Syrup, Xanthan Gum, Calcium Chloride, Spice Extractives), Water, Egg Yolks, Distilled Vinegar, Spices, Onion Powder, Salt, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Garlic Powder, Vegetable Protein (hydrolyzed Corn, Soy And Wheat), Sugar, Caramel Color, Turmeric, Extractives Of Paprika, Soy Lecithin.

CHEDDAR CHEESE SLICE

Milk, Cream, Water, Sodium Citrate, Salt, Cheese Cultures, Citric Acid, Enzymes, Soy Lecithin, Color Added.

PICKLES

Cucumbers, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Alum, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Natural Flavors, Polysorbate 80, Extractives Of Turmeric (Color).

ONIONS 

Onions. 

Chicken Nuggets 

The bite-sized snacks are another McDonald’s staple.

Six chicken nuggets in the UK has 261 calories, while the US has just 250

But the Chicken McNuggets loved on either side of the pond have big differences. 

The US option has nine more components — such as extra additives, oils and flours — than the box of six sold in the UK.

The UK uses just two oils — sunflower and rapeseed — while the US uses canola, corn, soybean and hydrogenated soybean oils. 

And the US option is made from ‘white boneless chicken’, rather than the ‘chicken breast meat’ specified in the UK

And it has more than double the salt (1.25g vs 0.57g) in the US, as well as more fat (15g vs 13g) and saturates (2.5g vs 1.5g).

Despite this, a standard UK box of six chicken nuggets contains 261 calories, while the US has fewer at 250. 

The British option also has more carbohydrates (21 vs 15g) and sugar (0.6g vs 0g).

UK health chiefs advise men to eat no more than 30g of saturated fat per day, while women should stick to a 20g limit.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting saturated fat to less than a tenth of daily calories. This is around 22g for those who eat 2,000 calories per day. 

Miss Ludlam-Raine warned that the US nuggets are ‘very salty’.

She told MailOnline: ‘Chicken nuggets can be a slightly healthier option in comparison to a burger at McDonald’s as chicken tends to be a leaner protein option in comparison to beef. 

‘They are both though what we call “processed red” so consumption should be moderated.’

INGREDIENTS IN THE UK

EITHER: Chicken Breast Meat (45%), Water, Vegetable Oils (Sunflower, Rapeseed), Maize Flour, Flour (contains Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Starches, Wheat Semolina, Breadcrumb, Natural Flavourings, Potassium Chloride, Dried Glucose Syrup, Wheat Gluten, Salt, Raising Agents (Sodium Carbonates), Pepper, Celery, Dextrose; OR: Chicken Breast Meat (45%), Water, Vegetable Oils (Sunflower, Rapeseed), Maize Flour, Wheat Flour (contains Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Starch, Wheat Semolina, Breadcrumb, Natural Flavourings, Wheat Gluten, Potassium Chloride, Dried Glucose Syrup, Salt, Raising Agents (Sodium Carbonates), Spices, Dextrose.

INGREDIENTS IN THE US

White Boneless Chicken, Water, Vegetable Oil (canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil), Enriched Flour (bleached Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Bleached Wheat Flour, Yellow Corn Flour, Vegetable Starch (modified Corn, Wheat, Rice, Pea, Corn), Salt, Leavening (baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Calcium Lactate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Spices, Yeast Extract, Lemon Juice Solids, Dextrose, Natural Flavors.

Sausage and Egg McMuffin 

It’s a pork sausage patty, egg and slice of cheese served in a toasted English muffin.

A Sausage and Egg McMuffn in the UK has 423 calories, while in the US they have 480 calories

But the beloved breakfast food will take up around a fifth of your daily calorie intake.

The UK option has 423 calories, while it contains 480 in the US.

They have very different nutritional profiles, with the UK breakfast bun having a third less fat (23g vs 31g) and saturated fat (8.3g vs 12g). 

‘Too much saturated fat is bad news for our heart due to the effect on LDL cholesterol levels’, Miss Ludlam-Raine added.

The British option has more sugar (3.2g vs 2g) but less salt (1.8g vs 2.1g). 

Zoe Davies, a nutritionist at campaign group Action on Salt, told Mail Online: ‘Food companies can very easily make these meals with less salt and sugar in order to protect people’s health, as evidenced by companies using different recipes in different countries.’

The group, which is urging the Government to enforce salt and sugar reduction targets, say that if Brits cut one gram of salt from their average daily salt intake, it could save over 6,000 lives every year from strokes and heart disease and save the economy £1.5billion annually. 

INGREDIENTS IN THE UK

ENGLISH MUFFIN

EITHER: Wheat Flour (contains Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamine), Water, Muffin Topping (Yellow Polenta, Rice Flour), Muffin Mix (Wheat Gluten, Dried Rye Sourdough, Acidity Regulator (Tartaric Acid), Antioxidant (Ascorbic Acid)), Yeast, Sugar, Salt, Rapeseed Oil, De-activated Yeast. OR: Wheat Flour, Water, Corn Semolina, Yeast, Dextrose, Salt, Wheat Gluten, Emulsifier (Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Mono- and Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids), Acid (Citric Acid), Whole Wheat Flour, Whole Rye Flour.

PORK SAUSAGE PATTY

Pork (97%), Salt, Dextrose, Herb and Herb Extract, Glucose Syrup, Spice, Yeast Extract. 

EGG

UK or Irish sourced egg produced to Lion Quality standards or equivalent. 

CHEDDAR CHEESE SLICE 

EITHER: Vegetarian Cheddar (51%) (milk), Water, Vegetarian Cheese (9%) (milk), Whey Powder (milk), Butter (milk), Emulsifying Salts (Trisodium Citrate, Citric Acid), Milk Proteins, Natural Cheese Flavouring (milk), Salt, Colours (Beta Carotene, Paprika Extract), Anti-Caking Agent (Lecithins). OR: Vegetarian Cheddar (51%) (milk), Water, Vegetarian Cheese (9%) (milk), Whey Powder (milk), Butter (milk), Emulsifying Salts (Trisodium Citrate, Tripotassium Citrate, Citric Acid), Milk Protein, Natural Cheese Flavouring (milk), Salt, Colours (Carotene, Paprika Extract), Anti-Caking Agent (Lecithins).

LIQUID VEGETABLE AND DAIRY FAT BLEND 

Vegetable Oils (Rapeseed Oil, Sunflower Oil in varying proportions) (76%), Butter Oil (milk) (21%), Emulsifiers (Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Citric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids), Whey Powder (milk), Antioxidants (Fatty Acid Esters of Ascorbic Acid, Alpha-Tocopherol), Butter Flavouring (milk).

INGREDIENTS IN THE US

ENGLISH MUFFIN

Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Yeast, Yellow Corn Meal (Degermed Yellow Corn Meal and Corn Flour), Contains 2% or Less: Sugar, Soybean Oil, Salt, Dough Conditioners (Mono-, Di- And Tricalcium Phosphate, DATEM, Ascorbic Acid, Enzymes, Ethylated Mono and Digylcerides), Wheat Gluten, Cultured Wheat Flour, Citric Acid, Baking Soda, Fumaric Acid. 

EGG

Usda Grade A Eggs. 

SAUSAGE PATTY

Pork, Water, Salt, Spices, Dextrose, Sugar, Rosemary Extract, Natural Flavors. 

CHEESE

Milk, Cream, Water, Sodium Citrate, Salt, Cheese Cultures, Citric Acid, Enzymes, Soy Lecithin, Color Added. 

SALTED BUTTER 

Cream, Salt. 

CLARIFIED BUTTER

Pasteurized Cream (butterfat). 

Chocolate Milkshake 

The creamy drink is an ideal accompaniment to the burgers and fries. 

The UK Chocolate Milkshake has 364 calories but in the US it has 650

But the Chocolate Milkshake in the UK contains a sickening 50g of sugar in each medium drink — more than four Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnuts  

If you thought that was hard to digest, the US version has 85g of sugar per medium drink. 

The shake is also packed with fat in both nations, though the US has more than the UK (17g vs 7.8g), which also applies to saturates (11g vs 5.3g).

It is packed with 650 calories in the US and 364 in the UK.

Miss Ludlam-Raine said the ‘huge difference’ between the two countries’ drinks is ‘quote shocking’, as the calories, fat and sugar in the US is around double.

‘I would probably advise consumers to try and share a milkshake if possible, or to have it only very occasionally,’ she added.

INGREDIENTS IN THE UK

MILKSHAKE BASE

EITHER: Skimmed Milk, Sugar, Cream (milk), Whey Powder (milk), Glucose Syrup, Stabilisers (Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Carob Gum). OR: Reconstituted Skimmed Milk, Sugar, Cream (milk), Skimmed Milk Powder, Glucose Syrup, Whey Powder (milk), Stabilisers (Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Locust Bean Gum), Natural Flavouring.

CHOCOLATE FLAVOUR MILKSHAKE SYRUP 

Water, Glucose Syrup, Alkalised Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder (7%), Colour (Plain Caramel), Fructose Syrup, Caramel (Sugar, Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Water), Salt, Cocoa Mass (0.7%), Butter (milk), Natural Flavourings, Acidity Regulators (Phosphoric Acid, Citric Acid), Emulsifier (Lecithins), Preservative (Potassium Sorbate).

INGREDIENTS IN THE US

VANILLA REDUCED FAT ICE CREAM

Milk, Sugar, Cream, Corn Syrup, Natural Flavor, Mono And Diglycerides, Cellulose Gum, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate.

CHOCOLATE SHAKE SYRUP

Sugar, Corn Syrup, Water, Glycerin, Cocoa (processed With Alkali), Fruit And Vegetable Juice (color), Salt, Natural Flavors, Potassium Sorbate (preservative).

WHIPPED LIGHT CREAM

Cream, Nonfat Milk, Milk, Liquid Sugar, Contains 2% Or Less: Mono And Diglycerides, Natural Flavors, Carrageenan. Whipping Propellant (nitrous Oxide). 

Oreo McFlurry

McDonald’s soft vanilla ice cream topped with crumbled up biscuits or chocolate bars are a firm favourite.

A UK Oreo McFlurry contains 258 calories while the US version has 510

But McFlurry’s have an astronomical sugar content.

Just one pot of this ice cream from the US contains 60g of sugar, while the UK has just 32g. 

This dessert in Britain contains 258 calories, 9g of fat and 5.5g of saturated fat.

The American alternative is packed with a whopping 510 calories and 16g of fat and 8g of saturated fat. 

This is over a quarter of your recommended calorie intake.

INGREDIENTS IN THE UK

ICE CREAM

EITHER: Skimmed Milk, Sugar, Cream (milk), Whey Powder (milk), Glucose Syrup, Stabilisers (Guar Gum, Carrageenan), Emulsifier (Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids), Flavouring. OR: Reconstituted Skimmed Milk, Cream (milk), Sugar, Whey Powder (milk), Glucose Syrup, Skimmed Milk Powder, Stabilisers (Guar Gum, Carrageenan), Emulsifier (Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids), Flavouring.

OREO CRUMB

Wheat Flour, Sugar, Rapeseed Oil, Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder (6.5%), Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Wheat Starch, Raising Agents (Potassium Carbonates, Ammonium Carbonates, Sodium Carbonates), Palm Oil, Salt, Emulsifier (Soya Lecithin), Flavouring.

INGREDIENTS IN THE US

VANILLA REDUCED FAT ICE CREAM

Ingredients: Milk, Sugar, Cream, Corn Syrup, Natural Flavor, Mono And Diglycerides, Cellulose Gum, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate.

OREO COOKIE PIECES 

Unbleached Enriched Flour (wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate [vitamin B1], Riboflavin [vitamin B2], Folic Acid), Sugar, Palm And/or Canola Oil, Cocoa (processed With Alkali), Invert Sugar, Leavening (baking Soda And/or Calcium Phosphate), Soy Lecithin, Salt, Chocolate, Natural Flavor. 

Fries  

The salty side dish is made using potatoes, rapeseed oil and dextrose in the UK.

McDonald’s medium fries in the UK has 337 calories while the US has 320

But McDonald’s fries in the US is made from a staggering nine ingredients.

There, potatoes are combined with four oils — canola, corn, soybean and hydrogenated soybean — as well as natural beef flavour, dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate and salt.

However, the side dish has a similar calorie count in both nations — with 337 in the UK and 320 in the US. 

The US fries have 0.65g of salt, while the US has slightly less at 0.62, which equates to 10 per cent of the daily recommended amount. 

Brits also consume far more fat and sugars when they tuck into McDonald’s fries, as they contain 17g of fat, 1.5g of saturates and 0.6g of sugar.

In the US, they have no saturated fat or sugar in their chips and just 15g of fat. 

 McDonald’s have been approached for a comment.

INGREDIENTS IN THE UK

Potatoes, Non-Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils (Rapeseed), Dextrose (predominantly added at beginning of the potato season). 

INGREDIENTS IN THE US

Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Natural Beef Flavor [wheat And Milk Derivatives]*), Dextrose, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (maintain Color), Salt. *natural Beef Flavor Contains Hydrolyzed Wheat And Hydrolyzed Milk As Starting Ingredients.

WHAT SHOULD A BALANCED DIET LOOK LIKE?

Meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain, according to the NHS

• Eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruit and vegetables count

• Base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain

• 30 grams of fibre a day: This is the same as eating all of the following: 5 portions of fruit and vegetables, 2 whole-wheat cereal biscuits, 2 thick slices of wholemeal bread and large baked potato with the skin on

• Have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks) choosing lower fat and lower sugar options

• Eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 portions of fish every week, one of which should be oily)

• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consuming in small amounts

• Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of water a day

• Adults should have less than 6g of salt and 20g of saturated fat for women or 30g for men a day

Source: NHS Eatwell Guide