A lot of people love to eat McDonald’s chicken nuggets. They are the best-selling items of all time. Diners have been clamoring for them ever since 1983.
Are Mcdonalds chicken nuggets gluten free?
The nuggets contain wheat flour, so they are not gluten-free. However, their grilled chicken nuggets are gluten-free (not the breaded ones). You don’t have to sacrifice your faves if you can’t eat gluten.
Individual diners should ask for cross-contamination before they place their order. If you want to avoid gluten, you should pay attention to products without any grains.
What are gluten-free chicken nuggets?
Gluten-free chicken nuggets feature bite-sized chickens coated with non-soy and non-wheat products. Sometimes, the bread crumbs can contain wheat by-products for individuals with celiac disease. People who are sensitive or allergic to gluten can safely eat gluten-free products.
Some retail chains offer gluten-free nuggets in the frozen section. Others are available in the fresh foods section. When gluten-free products are served, food regulations should be strictly followed. Sometimes, cross-contamination can occur when not carefully monitored.
McDonald’s chicken nuggets are not unhealthy as you may think
McDonald’s chicken nuggets are a healthy option for those looking for a healthy treat.
The chicken nuggets are boneless and USD-inspected. And the food chain is transparent about the ingredients. Besides white meat, they also add cornflour, starches, vitamins, and lemon juice solids.
In terms of calories, a four-piece box of McDonald’s nuggets provides 220 calories. This is not very far from other menu items. If you don’t want to put a dent into your calorie intake, you can take the 20-piece chicken and skip the coke.
In 2016, Mcdonald’s removed the preservatives, flavors, and colors in their nuggets. The chain also cleaned the ingredients list by ditching chicken skin, citric acid, and safflower oil. They swapped with rice and pea starch – this didn’t affect the taste of the nuggets.
Back in the day, the dipping sauces were Mesquite, Zesty Italian, and Szechuan Teriyaki. Right now, you can enjoy your nuggets with honey mustard, creamy ranch, spicy buffalo, tangy barbecue, and sweet and sour sources.
If you want to add some nuggets to your daily calorie intake, dipping sauces can increase the count.
Mcdonald’s chicken nuggets nutrition
The chicken nuggets contain 40 ingrediMcdonald’s chicken nuggets nutritional facts are:
| Nutrition facts | Mcdonald’s – Chicken McNuggets |
|---|---|
| Units | 4 pieces |
| Calories | 220 |
| Total Fat | 13g |
| Cholesterol | 30mg |
| Sodium | 460mg |
| Potassium | 188mg |
| Carbohydrates | 16g |
| Protein | 10g |
| Vitamin D | 0mcg |
| Vitamin A | 0mcg |
| Vitamin C | 1mg |
| Calcium | 0mg |
| Iron | 0.4 mg |
What consists of gluten-free chicken nuggets?
Gluten-free nuggets consist of chicken nuggets, corn flakes without gluten, virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and onions. The flakes can be replaced with cornstarch, cassava flour, buckwheat flour, and gluten-free oatmeal.
McDonald’s chicken nuggets are not gluten-free. The only breaded items on the menu with no gluten are pesto goujons and red pepper.
Why you should avoid gluten chicken nuggets
If you suffer from celiac disease, the small intestines don’t absorb iron and calcium. Without medical intervention, you could suffer from anemia, infertility, osteoporosis, and other neurological problems.
Celiac disease is also associated with dermatitis herpetiformis. This disease can result in itchy and painful rashes. If you don’t deal with the problem at the initial stages, there’s a risk of intestinal cancer.
Due to gluten-free options, people with a celiac disease no longer have to avoid the option of going out. A little planning is needed to ensure you get healthy fast food meals.
Can you eat MacDonald’s nuggets if you have celiac disease?
If you’ve been diagnosed with celiac disease, you may not eat your favorite chicken nugget.
McDonald’s nuggets are not gluten-free, so you may want to avoid them if you suffer from celiac disease. But again, the chain claims to have gluten-free items – it doesn’t hurt to check. Mcdonald’s can prepare gluten-free foods in the same space.
What happens if you eat gluten when you have celiac disease?
If you have celiac disease, the gluten in chicken nuggets can trigger an immune response in the small intestine. This can result in intestinal damage that causes fatigue, diarrhea, bloating, weight loss, anemia, and other serious complications. The inability to absorb nutrients can lead to swollen belly and foul-smelling stool.
Gluten intolerance can also cause itchy skin disease. The condition is associated with changes in the lining of the stomach.
Are gluten-free chicken nuggets trustworthy?
Gluten is a product common in grains. While most fast chain restaurants offer fried and breaded food on their menu, some have gluten-free options. Chicken nuggets are gluten-free if they don’t contain barley, rye, malt, wheat, and brewer’s yeast.
That said, people with celiac disease need to understand how the nuggets are prepared. How about communicating with the manager to ensure there’s no cross-contamination?
Are Mcdonald’s chicken breasts made of real chicken?
Despite the rumors that emerged a few years ago, McDonald’s chicken nuggets are made with real chicken breast. The chicken is cut from the rib, breast, or tenderloin and then mixed with flour to keep the fun shapes.
Are Mcdonald’s chicken nuggets healthy?
The truth is, any breaded or fried food is not 100% healthy for you. But again, nutritionists suggest that the nuggets provide real protein. To ensure they don’t impact your health negatively, you should add a healthy mix of vegetables.
Do McDonald’s chicken nuggets taste good?
Yes. They have a nice taste and texture added to them. The dripping sauces make the bite-sized bits appealing to everyone. Since meat from poultry has less saturated fat, they appear to have a healthy advantage.
What other foods are gluten-free at McDonald’s
Mcdonald’s offers many gluten-free foods. Those prepared without the bun are gluten-free. Their yogurt snacks, salads, and fruit parfaits have no gluten. To avoid gluten, you should pay attention to products with no wheat.
Final thought
There’s no guarantee that gluten-free products are 100% free from contamination. While Mcdonald’s offers gluten-free chicken nuggets, you should get specific details on how the food is prepared. To get the nutrition that you need, you can check the label and review the ingredients.
Keep in mind that different fast food stores prepare their food differently.
Are you a bit squeamish about these little nuggets?