McDonald's value: Fries vs. double cheeseburger

One of the best food values in the prepared food business, measured by energy per cent of cost, is McDonald's double cheeseburger. For only a dollar, it provides an amazing 460 calories, for a value of 4.6 Cal/cent.














The problems with this burger is, it's nasty in more than one way. It tastes like one would expect for a dollar. And the worst problem is, it tastes like it is loaded with salt. Salt is ok, but too much not only disrupts the body's water-sodium balance (leading to water retention, thirst, high blood pressure and kidney problems), it tastes bad. One DC contains half of the body's maximum recommended daily intake of salt.









The more expensive large fries ($1.79) tastes better, but has its own problems. Suprisingly, salt is not one of them. Lightly salted in the box, the fries provide an acceptable 14% DV of salt, 1/7 of the maximum daily intake, and still taste good. They provide more energy than the large fries - 570 calories, or 3.2 Cal/cent. But they contain 8 grams of trans fat. Any amount of trans fat, and especially more than a few grams per day, massively increases one's risk of heart disease and may cause other health problems.

Oh, and to anyone who received a free food coupon while playing McDonald's Monopoly: tomorrow (Tuesday) is the last day to redeem your coupon.