Beyond the Deep Fry: Is there anything at McDonald's that isn't processed?

October 20, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, the typical fast-food item is high in calories, fat, and sugar, and low in nutrients. This reality makes many customers wonder: Is there anything at McDonald's that isn't processed? The answer depends on how you define 'processed.'

Quick Summary

The spectrum of food processing, from minimal to ultra-processed, helps determine the nutritional profile of McDonald's offerings. Analyzing specific menu items reveals that while truly unprocessed options are absent, some items undergo far less processing than others, allowing for more informed choices. This breakdown helps navigate the menu to identify comparatively less altered choices.

Key Points

Processing Spectrum: The term 'processed' can be misleading; the key lies in distinguishing between minimally processed (e.g., fresh fruit) and ultra-processed foods (e.g., engineered snacks).
Minimally Processed McDonald's Options: Some items like the 100% beef patties (seasoned only), apple slices (treated to prevent browning), and shredded lettuce are closest to whole foods, despite minimal alterations.
Ultra-Processed Items: Iconic favorites like French fries and Chicken McNuggets are ultra-processed, involving multiple industrial steps, additives, and high levels of fat and sodium.
Reading Ingredient Lists: The number and type of ingredients are key indicators; a short, recognizable list signifies less processing, whereas a long list with chemical names points to ultra-processing.
Making Better Choices: Opting for simpler menu items like plain burgers with extra veggies, side salads, apple slices, and unsweetened beverages can significantly reduce the intake of unhealthy additives.
Hidden Ingredients: Be mindful of hidden sugars, high sodium, and unhealthy fats in sauces, dressings, and bread, which can turn a seemingly less processed item into an ultra-processed one.

Defining Processed vs. Ultra-Processed

To answer the question, "Is there anything at McDonald's that isn't processed?", we must first understand what food processing means. In the broadest sense, all food undergoes some form of processing, whether that's washing vegetables or grinding meat. The key distinction is between minimally processed and ultra-processed foods, a classification system often based on the NOVA food classification.

Minimally Processed Foods: These are foods that have been slightly altered from their natural state but retain most of their original nutritional value. Examples include washed and cut fruit, bagged lettuce, or pasteurized milk.
Ultra-Processed Foods: These are complex formulations made mostly from ingredients derived from foods, but containing little to no intact whole food. They often include additives, preservatives, flavor enhancers, and high levels of fat, sugar, and salt.

At McDonald's, virtually every item falls into the 'processed' category. However, some items are closer to the minimally processed end of the spectrum than others. The central challenge lies in recognizing which ingredients have undergone the most significant industrial manipulation.

Navigating the Menu: What's Less Processed?

While finding a completely unprocessed item at McDonald's is impossible, you can identify choices that are less processed and closer to their whole food origins. These items typically have a shorter ingredient list and undergo fewer industrial steps.

100% Beef Patties: McDonald's states that their beef patties are made with 100% USDA-inspected ground beef, seasoned only with salt and pepper. The beef is ground and formed, a form of minimal processing. This contrasts with highly processed meats that contain chemical preservatives.
Apple Slices: The apple slices served with Happy Meals are made from whole apples. To prevent browning and maintain crispness, they are treated with a solution of calcium ascorbate and citric acid. This is considered minimal processing, similar to an at-home method using lemon juice.
Lettuce: The shredded iceberg lettuce used on burgers and in salads is simply washed, cut, and vacuum-packed. McDonald's claims no preservatives are added to their lettuce.
Fruit & Maple Oatmeal: This item contains 100% whole-grain oats, along with fruit like apples and cranberries. However, it does contain added cream and brown sugar, making it more processed than plain oats you might make at home.
Black Coffee: A simple cup of black coffee or unsweetened iced tea is a beverage option that involves minimal processing, primarily brewing.

The Ultra-Processed Reality of Fast Food

Many of McDonald's most iconic menu items and accompaniments are squarely in the ultra-processed category. They are engineered for taste, shelf-stability, and cost-effectiveness, not for nutritional density.

French Fries: The journey of a McDonald's potato to a World Famous Fry is a testament to ultra-processing. After being peeled and cut, they undergo an ingredient bath containing dextrose for consistent color and sodium acid pyrophosphate to prevent graying. They are partially fried in an oil blend that includes a 'natural beef flavor' and then flash-frozen.
Chicken McNuggets: Despite being made from chicken, McNuggets are a product of ultra-processing. The meat is ground and formed, coated in a tempura batter, seasoned, and fried. The ingredient list includes various flours, starches, and other additives for texture and flavor.
Burger Buns & Cheese: The soft, squishy buns and perfectly-melting cheese slices contain a host of additives, emulsifiers, and preservatives to ensure consistency and a long shelf life. A typical bun can contain multiple ingredients that you wouldn't find in a home-baked loaf.
Sauces: Condiments like ketchup and the Big Mac Special Sauce contain high amounts of added sugar, sodium, high-fructose corn syrup, and various additives.

Making a Smarter Choice at McDonald's

Choosing healthier options at a fast-food restaurant requires awareness of what goes into your food. This doesn't mean you have to completely eliminate fast food from your diet, but it does mean making smarter, more deliberate choices. Focus on items that have a shorter ingredient list and are less chemically modified.

Less Processed Menu Options

Single Hamburger: Order a plain single patty hamburger with extra lettuce and onion. Skip the cheese and sauces, or ask for mustard instead of mayo.
Apple Slices: A consistent choice that provides fiber and vitamins with minimal processing.
Side Salad: If available, ask for a side salad with grilled chicken and a simple vinaigrette dressing on the side.
Unsweetened Drinks: Opt for water, unsweetened iced tea, or black coffee over sodas and sugary beverages.

The Nutritional Impact of Processing

Ultra-processed foods are linked to various health concerns due to their high caloric density and low nutrient count.

Higher Caloric Intake: The palatability and low fiber content of ultra-processed foods can lead to overconsumption.
Nutrient Stripping: Essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber are often lost during multiple processing steps, leading to a less nutritious final product.
High Sodium, Sugar, and Unhealthy Fats: Ultra-processed foods are typically loaded with these ingredients, which contribute to the risk of chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

By being mindful of these factors, you can make an informed decision and choose options that are less processed when dining out. For more in-depth information on the health effects of ultra-processed foods, consult authoritative sources like Harvard Health's resources.

Comparing Meals: Processed vs. Comparatively Less Processed


Feature	Comparatively Less Processed Meal (Plain Hamburger, Apple Slices, Water)	Ultra-Processed Meal (Big Mac, Large Fries, Regular Soda)
Processing Level	Minimal processing for the burger patty and apple slices; lettuce is cut and washed.	Multiple industrial steps for fries (blanching, par-frying), beef flavoring, and additives in the bun, cheese, sauce, and soda.
Key Nutrients	Primarily protein, fiber, and vitamins from the beef and apples.	Lower nutrient density, with stripped vitamins and fiber due to heavy processing.
Added Ingredients	Salt, pepper, minimal treatment for apples.	Dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate, beef flavor, high-fructose corn syrup, preservatives, emulsifiers, artificial colors.
Sodium Content	Lower, depending on added salt.	Significantly higher due to additives in fries, cheese, and special sauce.
Sugar Content	Low (some natural sugar from apples).	Very high, especially from the soda, but also present in sauces and buns.

Conclusion

In the end, asking "Is there anything at McDonald's that isn't processed?" is a trick question. All food, to some degree, is processed. The critical distinction is the level of processing. While the menu contains many ultra-processed items, it also offers options that have undergone only minimal processing. By understanding what's in your food, you can make more informed choices, even within the confines of a fast-food restaurant. Opting for a plain hamburger, apple slices, and water over a large combo meal can significantly reduce your intake of additives, unhealthy fats, and sugars, aligning better with overall nutritional goals. Health-conscious decisions are possible, even under the Golden Arches, with a little knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, McDonald's french fries are considered ultra-processed. They are made from whole potatoes but undergo extensive industrial processing, including an ingredient bath with dextrose and sodium acid pyrophosphate, and partial frying before being frozen and shipped.

The plain hamburger patty is one of the least processed meat options. McDonald's states it is made from 100% ground beef with only salt and pepper added. Other meat options, like McNuggets and fried chicken sandwiches, have more complex processing and added ingredients.

The apple slices are a healthy, minimally processed option. They are made from real apples and treated with a calcium ascorbate and citric acid solution to prevent browning, similar to how lemon juice would be used at home.

In many countries, including the U.S., McDonald's uses pasteurized processed cheese, not a whole-food cheese. This means it contains additives to create a consistent texture and melt, making it more processed than standard cheese.

Processed food has been altered from its raw state, like freezing vegetables or grinding beef. Ultra-processed food goes further, containing multiple ingredients derived from foods, and often includes additives, preservatives, high amounts of fat, sugar, or salt.

To make a healthier choice, opt for menu items with fewer ingredients and less processing. Examples include a plain hamburger (hold the cheese/sauce), a side salad with vinaigrette dressing, and apple slices instead of fries.

No, the Fruit & Maple Oatmeal is not unprocessed. While it contains whole-grain oats and real fruit, it also has added cream and brown sugar, making it a processed food. Homemade oatmeal would be a less processed alternative.