20 Weight Watchers McDonalds Menu Choices {Low Points Guide}

Here are some great Weight Watchers McDonald’s choices for members. Did you know that as a WW member you can still eat at McDonald’s? Here is a helpful guide to the best low point options when ordering at McD’s.

This article is written by LaNette Whiteside, a contributor at The Holy Mess who has lost 300+ pounds! Read more of LaNette’s story below.

What Should I Eat at McDonald’s on Weight Watchers?

The absolute beauty of following WW is that there isn’t anywhere, or any food, you can’t eat and enjoy. It just takes some tweaks and planning to make it happen…even at those famous Golden Arches.

We are going to take a look at the most WW-friendly and flavorful choices to make while eating at America’s #1 fast food restaurant. 

Top 20 WW McDonald’s Low Point Foods

Here are my top picks for Weightwatchers, with points included.

1. Scrambled egg or egg patty – 0 points

A serving of scrambled eggs at McDonald’s is approximately 2 eggs and 0 points.

Another option is to order an egg patty, also known as a round egg. (It is the egg patty found on an Egg McMuffin.) Here’s a helpful tip – did you know that you can order the egg patty plain at McD? You can.

You can also ask for a couple of packs of picante sauce to jazz it up, still zero points.

2. McDonald’s Egg McMuffin – 8 points

This is such a balanced meal option. The whole sandwich has 17g of protein. Protein helps us stay full longer and is a great way to start your morning. Add 0 point apple slices from the kids menu for that sweet crunch. As a nutritional bonus, the apple slices will give you 10 mg of calcium. 

3. McDonald’s Hash Brown – 4 points

The hashbrown can be transformed into a great meal when paired with the 0 point scrambled eggs and salsa. This makes a filling low-point meal.

4. McDonald’s Sausage Burrito – 10 points

I know this sounds like a lot of points at one time. If you’re like me, you could easily eat two. But remember, you can make this a larger meal by adding 0 point eggs.

5. Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit – 15 points

This is my personal favorite breakfast item from McDonald’s. It’s not an item I get frequently since it is a higher point selection. But remember, we are making a permanent lifestyle change, and sometimes you really want this delicious breakfast sandwich.

WW teaches you that occasional indulgences can be worked into your plan. Use your weekly flex points if needed.

6. McDonald’s classic single patty hamburger – 9 points

This burger has all the deliciousness you’ve come to love and enjoy at McD’s. If you want cheese on it, be sure to add 2 points.

7. McDonald’s Happy Meal – 8 points

This complete meal will put a smile on your face for sure. An order of the 4 pc chicken McNuggets is only 5 points. Pair that with the kiddie size fries for an additional 3 points.

Don’t forget, you can get 0 point apple slices, coffee, diet soda or unsweet tea without adding points. Plus, you get a toy to share with a special child in your life. (Or keep it for yourself. We won’t judge.)

8. McDouble Burger – 14 points

This is a budget friendly choice that has 22g of protein. You can add lettuce, tomato, pickle or onion to the sandwich or on the side to add some zero point veggies to your meal.

9. McDonald’s Deluxe Crispy Chicken – 16 points

This is truly a delicious choice. Make it a complete meal when paired with a side salad. Fried chicken sandwich and still lose weight? Yes, please.

10. McDonald’s Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad – 3 points (no dressing)

While some McDonald’s locations did away with salads a few years ago, many still carry salads. A helpful tip: double your zero point vegetables by adding a garden side salad. This makes a huge salad without additional points.

If you decide to use the packet of dressing that comes with the Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad, the point value is still very low at 7 points.

My local McD’s no longer offers salads, so I frequently order lettuce, tomato and onion on the side to make my own salad.

11. McDonald’s Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich – 10 points

This sandwich comes standard with mayo. Make this a filling lower point sandwich by using mustard instead of mayo, or simply enjoy without sauce. The chicken is tender enough without it.

12. McDonald’s Quarter Pounder with Cheese Deluxe – 22 points

Since WW is a lifestyle change, it’s pretty unrealistic to say you’ll never eat another McD’s Quarter pounder.

This is where we use the tools we’ve learned from WW to make this sandwich an option. Plan for it, eat lower point foods throughout the day and cash in on a few weekly flex points.

You can also use banked points. Did you know that you can bank up to 4 points per day? That means that if you don’t use all your points for the day, they will roll over for the next day’s use. Banked points reset each week when you weigh in.

13. McDonald’s Big Mac – 19 points

This point value includes the famous special sauce. Isn’t the sauce the yum factor of a Big Mac? I was pleasantly surprised that this American standard with 3 layers of bread, 2 meat patties and the special sauce could still be a part of my meal plan.

14. McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish – 13 points

The point value for this yummy treat includes cheese and tartar sauce. Add the veggies for a fuller sandwich.

Many people rely on this sandwich during Lent as their go-to fast food option if they are choosing to give up red meat, as is traditional in the Catholic church.

15. McDonald’s French Fries – 3 to 14 points

Let’s look at those famous crispy, hot fries. In WW, we learn about serving sizes. The importance of knowing what a serving is really shows when you compare the size of your French fry order.

As with all of our food choices, as the serving gets larger, so does the point value. 

• Kiddie size: 3 points.
• Small fries: 7 points.
• Medium fries: 9 points.
• Large fries: 14 points.

(Disclaimer: Fries found in the bottom of the bag have points too 😀)

16. McDonald’s Kiddie cone – 2 points

I was happy to learn that the 2 points included both the ice cream and the cone. My local McDonald’s sadly does not offer a kiddie cone. If you happen into that situation at your local McD’s, remember to modify your order.

I ask for a regular cone but only top it with about an inch of ice cream. You may have to adjust the actual points based on what they give you.

As a guide, the full size vanilla ice cream cone is 10 points. The last time I modified my order, I counted it as 5 points since there was more than an inch of ice cream on top.

17. McDonald’s Iced Caramel Macchiato Coffee – 8 points

Sweet, flavored coffees are so popular now. (Or what we here at the Holy Mess refer to as “candy coffee”.)

The point value above is for a small one made with nonfat milk. A medium latte is also 8 points.

18. McDonald’s chocolate chip cookie – 9 points

Buying only one cookie is a good way to enjoy a satisfying, warm, chocolatey cookie. If I only buy one cookie, when it’s gone it’s gone. If I bring home a dozen, I’ve found I’m setting myself up to fail.

If chocolate is one of your trigger foods, ordering one serving is a great way to manage enjoying a treat without bringing in a large amount that will tempt you to binge or overeat.

19. McDonald’s Frozen Coca-Cola Classic – 5 points

These sweet drinks are so good on a hot day. I was pleased to learn that I can order up one size and enjoy a medium for only 6 points.

20. McDonald’s Baked Apple Pie – 12 points

Even this sweet dessert can be a part of our WW day. Since we are heading toward the holidays, it’s good to know that the McD’s Holiday pie is actually less at 10 points each.

Tips for Ordering at McDonald’s to Make Points Lower

After reviewing the higher and lower point foods available at McDonald’s, let’s think about what you can do to cut a few points while placing your order.

• Mayo, cheese, sauces and condiments will add points. Could you order your food without or on the side?
• Swap mustard for mayo. A tablespoon of mayo is 3 points.
• Hold the cheese and decrease the point value. Typically one slice of cheese will add 2-3 points, and often you don’t really even taste it, especially if the sandwich has sauce.
• Don’t forget, you can add zero point foods to your sandwich, or order them on the side. For example, if you order a Filet-o-Fish, save points by asking for the tartar sauce on the side, or hold the tartar sauce all together and add zero point mustard. Ask for lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion to be added or order it on the side. This helps you get in a few veggies while rounding out a more balanced meal, and not adding points with fries.

Get more ideas for healthy eating by browsing our extensive recipe index filled with nutritious options.

Before and after Weight Loss as a WW member

Before becoming a WW member, I’d order value meal, supersized with a shake and a tote of cookies. Each meal was equal to three-four DAYS worth of points.

After following Weight Watchers for over four years, I’ve learned to prioritize what food I really want, and how to order it as points-friendly as possible. I don’t have to eat one of everything on the menu. They will let me come back another day.

It’s good to know that you have weekly points to use if you decide that a certain food is indeed worth the points.

Instead of feeling like I’ve cheated, I track my food and make it a part of my day. No guilt is necessary.

If I’ve eaten a higher point food, I remember all those zero point foods I have to get me through the day. I used feel that an occasional indulgence ruined my eating plan for the whole day. I now know that isn’t true. I sit and savor my meal. 

I’d love to hear what your McDonald’s hacks and tricks are. Share your favorite go-to when ordering. I’m eager to see what I can learn from you. Share in the comments below.

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