The cult junk food favorite, McDonald’s McRib sandwich, is back and we’d like to know why. This 6 inch pork patty smothered in BBQ sauce with onions and pickles is a 500 calorie, 26 fat gram nutritional disaster. It’s packed with salt, sugar, preservatives and chemicals that I wouldn’t feed to my pet. Why McDonald’s can’t make a healthier version of this sandwich is unknown (or is it? $$$). Keep this sandwich far away from your youth football athlete.
Several months ago I wrote about the changes to the McDonald’s Happy Meal- an updated, healthier version of the kid’s favorite. A positive step forward; great public relations for Mickey Dees. They actually do care about what they are serving to the public- right? By re-introducing the McRib, McDonald’s falls two steps backwards.
Let’s take a look at the sandwich ingredients, (from McDonald’s website):
McRib Bun:
Enriched flour (bleached wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, yeast, high fructose corn syrup,
contains 2% or less of the following: salt, corn meal, wheat gluten, soybean oil, partially hydrogenated soybean and/or cottonseed oils, dextrose, sugar, malted barley
flour, cultured wheat flour, calcium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, soy flour, dough conditioners (sodium stearoyl lactylate, datem, ascorbic acid, azodicarbonamide,
mono- and diglycerides, ethoxylated mono- and diglycerides, monocalcium phosphate, enzymes, guar gum, calcium peroxide), calcium propionate (preservative), soy
lecithin.
CONTAINS: WHEAT AND SOY.
McRib Pork Patty:
Pork, water, salt, dextrose, preservatives (BHA, propyl gallate, citric acid).
McRib Sauce:
Water, high fructose corn syrup, tomato paste, distilled vinegar, molasses, natural smoke flavor (plant source), food starch-modified, salt, sugar, spices, soybean oil,
xanthan gum, onion powder, garlic powder, chili pepper, sodium benzoate (preservative), caramel color, beet powder.
Why do the buns contain about 32 different ingredients? I count at least 5 different preservatives that our bodies just don’t require. It makes me wonder if McDonald’s employs scientists to come up with these foods rather than chefs.
What they don’t list on their website is what the meat is comprised of. But we’ll let you know the meat is not what you may think. It’s not rib meat, but pig innards that pokes out of the sides of this sandwich. I’ll pass, thanks. For our kids, we should focus on super foods that will result in optimal play on the football field. Read our 5 Super Foods for Your Youth Football Athlete.
McDonald’s desire to create a buzz with the return of the McRib sandwich is working. Their marketing plan is translating to more dollars for their shareholders, which is ultimately their primary concern. The online buzz is pretty strong- there are web petitions, a confusing Facebook campaign (that wants fans to go on a virtual scavenger hunt to find a golden McRib) and advertisements throughout the internet. I have a suggestion for our youth football community- don’t fall for the hype. McDon’t eat this sandwich.
