The #McDonald’s #BigMac. It’s one of the most recognized #hamburger meals in the world, with a jingle everyone can sing – two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions on a sesame seed bun. Fly today to #Paris or #Tokyo or #BuenosAires, and the first thing you’ll see as you clear customs and step out into the arrival area is a large yellow “M,” serving up the classic burger.
Today, the Big Mac is synonymous with the idea of the double-decker burger. But it was actually inspired by Frische’s Big Boy burger, and the classic meal wasn’t even on the original McDonald’s menu. The Big Mac itself was first concocted by Jim Delligatti at a McDonald’s location in #Pittsburgh in 1967. It became a national McDonald’s menu offering in 1968 and has since been a staple of the #company and a large part of its #brand identity.
McDonald’s has been front and center in the news as of late. Vice President #KamalaHarris has claimed that she worked at McDonald’s while going to college one summer. However, the vice president’s story is anything but unique. McDonald’s has served as an employer for millions of Americans. Studies show that one in eight Americans have worked at McDonald’s. #DonaldTrump himself may have never worked at McDonald's, but he just worked the fry station and drive-through window at a McDonald’s on the weekend of October 20, 2024 – attempting to garner #support among the many Americans who have worked at and/or enjoy eating its #food. Like so many people, Mr. Trump is clearly a fan of the fast food chain himself; McDonald’s is said to be one of his favorite meals.
However, the facts are that a Big Mac is just not a very healthy meal. It contains 590 calories, comprising 25% of an adult's daily recommended calorie intake. It has 25 grams of fat which is over 40% of the recommended daily fat intake. It has 940 milligrams of salt which can lead to #dehydration and dry mouth and can lead to increased #decay of your #teeth. Because of the fat content, it can take as long as 3 days to digest a single Big Mac.
The slight good news is that the Big Mac does also contain #vitaminD, #calcium, #potassium, and #iron, which are important #nutrients for the #health of your teeth. Like everything, the Big Mac has both negative and positive attributes. So, as a #dentist, if you are to consume a Big Mac, I would do so in moderation, not as an everyday meal. If you are to have a drink with it, I would recommend water or unsweetened iced tea, as black tea contains fluoride, which has anti-caries properties.
Mr. Trump and Ms. Harris both make sure to articulate their love for McDonalds. There’s a reason for that. The Big Mac, the #QuarterPounder, chicken #nuggets – these are all tasty meals that millions of Americans enjoy, irrespective of party affiliation, ideology, or beliefs. In a time of deep polarization, #Blue and #Red seem to agree on the golden arches.
The secret to impact lies in taking what people know and showing them what they missed.