While it would not be sensible to go on a chicken nugget binge, it might surprise you to learn impact of hitting McDonalds a few times a week can have on your figure. Those little chunks of chicken-goodness can really add up when it comes to extra calories!
How Many Calories in a Pound?
The number of McDonald’s chicken nuggets that a person would have to eat to gain a pound in one week depends on various factors, such as their current weight, age, sex, and activity level. However, on average, it takes about 3,500 calories to gain a pound of body weight.
Nutritional Composition of the Chicken Nugget
Protein:
Chicken nuggets do provide a source of protein, with around 9 grams of protein per 4-piece serving. The RDA for protein for an average adult is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day.
Carbohydrates:
Chicken nuggets are a high-carbohydrate food, with around 16 grams of carbohydrates per 4-piece serving. Consuming a large quantity of chicken nuggets may result in exceeding the daily RDA for carbohydrates, which is around 130 grams per day for an average adult.
Fat:
Chicken nuggets are also high in fat, with around 11 grams of fat per 4-piece serving. Consuming excessive amounts of chicken nuggets will most likely result in exceeding the daily RDA for fat, which is around 44-77 grams per day for an average adult, depending on calorie needs.
Salt:
Chicken nuggets are often high in salt, which can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure. Consuming large amounts of chicken nuggets to gain weight may result in exceeding the daily RDA for salt, which is around 2,300 milligrams per day for an average adult.
So, How Many Extra Nuggets to Pack on a Pound?
On average, it takes about 3,500 calories to gain a pound of body weight. One McDonald’s chicken nugget contains around 50-60 calories, depending on its size. Therefore, a person would need to consume around 60 chicken nuggets per week (or about 8-9 nuggets per day) to gain a pound of body weight above their normal weekly caloric intake.
Summary:
While eating a large number of McDonald’s chicken nuggets may cause you to gain weight, it can also result in consuming excessive amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fat, and salt, which can have negative health consequences. It’s important to maintain a balanced and varied diet that meets the body’s nutritional needs without overconsumption of any one food.
