The Shocking Amount Of Sugar In A McFlurry
It cannot be overlooked that we live in a world seemingly filled with the most evil of villains. Forget the likes of the Joker or Lord Voldemort, sinister bad guys are claimed to be lurking around every corner, in every crevice, and in every indulgent sweet treat.
To ensure that healthy eating practices are understood and followed by everyone, health experts recommend many controls on the foods we eat. The FDA imposes a sodium restriction of no more than 2,300 micrograms a day, while Eat Right advises maximum daily calories should not exceed 3,200 for men and 2,200 for women.
One of the greatest baddies of them all is perceived to be sugar, which the CDC notes can lead to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease if consumption is too high. It therefore suggests helping to stay in good health by limiting the amount of sugary snacks eaten, of which ice cream is a great offender. So, how does McDonald's (as one of the world's largest restaurant chains) handle the sugar content in its McFlurries?
McDonald's loads McFlurries up with oodles of added sugar
Despite the risks sugar presents, McDonald's McFlurry ice creams are packed with the stuff. According to the McDonald's website, the regular size of the Oreo McFlurry contains 60 grams of sugar. The smaller Snack Size offering fairs slightly better, featuring 40 grams.
The story is a similar one for McDonald's other McFlurry option (which throws M&M's candies into the mix to create a sparkly ice cream surely inspired by the majesty of rainbows). The regular portion of the M&M's McFlurry is noticeably nutritionally worse than its Oreo alternative, as it is filled with 83 grams of sugar (via McDonald's website). Its baby Snack Size version is reported to have 55 grams.
Considering that the American Heart Association advises that daily sugar intake should not exceed 36 grams for men and 25 grams for women, McDonald's McFlurries do not shape up well. If you're really keen to destroy the scourge of added sugar, BBC Food recommends training your brain to enjoy healthier snacks, such as seeds and nuts. That's got to be the toughest workout imaginable.