McDonalds is the worlds largest fast food chain of restaurants. The company’s net worth in 2014, was $4.76 billion! McDonalds was started in San Bernardino, California as a bar-b-que restaurant in 1940, by Richard and Maurice McDonald. In 1948, McDonalds was reorganized as a burger restaurant with an assembly line type production.
The marketing decision to start offering “selections of balanced choices” became available in 2010, when McDonald’s began selling cereal. The addition of offering a variety of breakfast items was probably meant to keep McDonald’s in competition with Starbucks. I would hardly call McDonald’s Fruit and Maple Oatmeal balanced or even nutritious.
Nutrition of McDonald’s Fruit and Maple Oatmeal:
Calories: 290
Protein: 5g
Fat: 4g
Carbs: 58g
Sodium: 160mg
Calories from Fat: 35
Sugars: 32g
Saturated Fat: 1.5g
Serving Size: 8.9 oz (251g)
Oatmeal typically has one ingredient, oats. McDonalds oatmeal has 21 ingredients! It has almost the same amount of sugar as a Snickers Candy Bar and only 10 fewer calories than a McDonald’s hamburger. Now, this is marketed to be a healthy and balanced breakfast, let us see what is in this oatmeal.
Ingredients:
OATMEAL
Ingredients: Water, Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Brown Sugar, Modified Food Starch, Salt, Natural Flavor (Plant Source), Barley Malt Extract, Caramel Color.
DICED APPLES
Ingredients: Apples, Calcium Ascorbate (A Blend of Calcium and Vitamin C to Maintain Color).
CRANBERRY RAISIN BLEND
Ingredients: Sweetened Dried Cranberries (Sugar, Cranberries), California Raisins, Golden Raisins, Sunflower Oil, Sulfur Dioxide as a Preservative (Contains Sulfites).
LIGHT CREAM
Ingredients: Milk, Cream, Sodium Phosphate, DATEM, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Sodium Citrate, Carrageenan.
This ingredients list is overwhelming. I would like to talk about a few of them that are concerning.
Modified starch: This is treated with acid to lower viscosity.
-These starches are difficult for the body to digest.
-The gluten in modified starch can make celiac disease worse.
-People can be allergic
-It may lower blood sugar levels making it dangerous for diabetics
-May interfere with blood sugar levels during and after surgery. Modified starches should be avoided 2 weeks before scheduled surgery
-Causes nausea, gas, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, bloating and vomiting
Caramel coloring: When caramel coloring is made with ammonia it is tainted with at least 2 carcinogens (2-MI and 4-MI) and are considered to pose a threat to humans. According to the cancer that developed in animal testing by the National Institute of Environmental Health Services.
Sulfur dioxide: Can cause many problems
-Breathing problems, throat swelling, hives, facial swelling and rashes
Sodium phosphate: Trace amounts of arsenic can be found in sodium phosphate which is a carcinogen.
-It can also cause kidney problems, dizziness, vomiting and dehydration
Sodium stearoyl lactylate: Can produce allergic reactions.
-Itching, swelling, mucus production, hives, rashes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramping and muscle spasms
Sodium citrate: This is actually used to treat high acidity levels in blood and urine and should be used with caution. It should not be ingested by people with inflammatory bowl diseases (example: ulcerated colitis) or any gastrointestinal conditions.
-Can cause allergic reactions, muscle twitching or cramps, nervousness, irritability, seizures, bloody diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting
Carrageenan: Keep your eye out because this ingredient can sometimes be in even “organic” products.
-It lowers blood pressure, slows blood clotting
-Causes intestinal lesions, ulceration and malignant tumors
-The past 4 decades, Scientists have repeatedly warned carrageenan is not safe for human consumption
In all reality, anyone can make their own oatmeal (even the non-instant kind) while brewing their morning coffee. It would be faster than waiting in the drive-thru line at McDonalds. Plus, you can choose the ingredients to create a healthy breakfast to start your day.
