- McDonald’s recently announced that the McRib is in its restaurants again, starting Monday, October 7.
- The McRib will be available for a limited time, according to a press release from McDonald’s. It was last available in November.
- Dietitians weigh in on the McRib’s ingredients and nutrition facts, and offer the healthiest way to enjoy the fan-favorite sandwich.
Few fast food sandwiches have a rabid fandom like the McRib. Some people wait all year for McDonald’s to roll it out, and then completely freak out once it’s available.
Well, McDonald’s recently announced that the McRib is in its restaurants again, starting Monday. The McRib will be available for a limited time, according to a press release from McDonald’s. It was last available in November, so naturally, fans are beyond excited for its return.
But we have to ask: What exactly is in a McRib, and how does it stack up on the nutrition front? Here, dietitians weigh in on the fan-favorite menu item.
What is a McRib made out of?
At the heart of the McRib is the McRib Pork Patty, which is made of pork, water, salt, dextrose, and rosemary extract, according to McDonald’s. That’s topped with McRib sauce (which is similar to barbecue sauce), pickles, and onions, nestled onto a hoagie roll.
McRib nutrition facts
This is what you can expect on the nutrition front when you eat a McRib:
- Calories: 480
- Protein: 24 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated fat: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
Is the McRib healthy?
Not exactly (but we are sure you already anticipated that answer). “The McRib, however tasty and in demand, would not be considered a health food,” says Gina Keatley, a certified dietitian-nutritionist practicing in New York City. “This sandwich has about half the maximum daily amount of total fat, is high in calories for a sandwich, and has a ton of sodium and carbs.”
Beth Warren, RD, founder of Beth Warren Nutrition and author of Secrets of a Kosher Girl, agrees. “Due to the high saturated fat, sugar, and sodium content, your best bet if you’re trying to eat healthier is to choose a different option,” she says.
Is there a healthy way to enjoy the McRib?
If you really want to have the McRib, you can try to make your experience a little healthier by watching what you have with it, Keatley says. That means skipping the fries, and having a side salad topped with veggies to add a little filling fiber. “Also, adding a side of apples, which classically go well with barbecue, and a fruit ‘n yogurt parfait can make this a filling meal,” she says.
You could also tinker with the sandwich itself. “You can reduce or eliminate the sauce, which will decrease the overall sodium, calories, and sugar, and you can go bun-less to decrease calories and carbs,” Keatley says. “But it’s the McRib and you can’t make too many changes to it—otherwise it might not feel like the McRib.”
If you really want to enjoy a McRib as is, just go ahead and have one, says Keri Gans, RD, author of The Small Change Diet, adding that you should think of it more as a treat than an everyday food. “I suggest ordering it as-is on a very limited basis,” she adds.
Stay updated on the latest science-backed health, fitness, and nutrition news by signing up for the Prevention.com newsletter here. For added fun, follow us on Instagram.
Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.
